Welp, you asked for it!

My being two months older than Bob and living in adjacent small towns in Northern Minnesota, we had many mutual friends and we would often end up at the same house parties and keggers, often sharing but one guitar between us, passing it between ourselves. One such party was at a girl’s home and we were both invited. Knowing who owned the place was just so much cerebral landfill at that time. So long as we had free beer we didn’t get involved with logistics or casting. We later discovered that the home was owned by big league talent agent, Jay Loury (sp?), from Minneapolis and our hostess was his private secretary. She danced, drank beer, and thoroughly seemed to enjoy herself.

Here’s where it gets a little immodest. About three days later I got a letter from Jay inviting me to Minneapolis for a test recording session in his studio. He mentioned his secretary (I’ll never forget old what’s-her-name) having heard me sing that previous weekend and she was very impressed with me. It was that one-in-a-million opportunity every budding musician dreams about.

It meant cutting school for several days and my parents were dead against that.

Bob did not get an invitation so I jokingly refer to that as the night that I outperformed Bob Dylan.

Recently, my son, Don Jr. shared the stage with Jakob Dylan and after recognizing my name, Jakob told my son that his dad still remembers me fondly and speaks of me frequently.

I had taught Bob that long, descending, Luther Perkins guitar intro on the Johnny Cash hit: “Home Of The Blues.” I think Bob remembers my kindness.

I often think that my parents did me an enormous favor by refusing to let me go to Minneapolis. I’ve been around professional music’s fringes long enough to see what it can do to people. It is not always kind.

Donny

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BIAB 2021 w/current updates.