Dylan Fest Coming To Ryman Auditorium On May 23-24

The Nashville music community will celebrate Bob Dylan’s 75th birthday at the Ryman Auditorium with back-to-back concerts scheduled for May 23 and 24. Tickets go on sale Friday (April 15) at 10 a.m.

Billed as Dylan Fest, the event is presented by the Best Fest, an organization that throws concerts honoring iconic musicians and gives the proceeds to charity. Thistle Farms, a Nashville-based charity committed to helping a community of women who have survived prostitution, trafficking and addiction, will be the beneficiary of Dylan Fest.

Confirmed artists include Emmylou Harris, Jason Isbell (May 24 only), Kacey Musgraves (May 24 only), Ann Wilson, Kurt Vile, Wynonna & The Big Noise, Boz Scaggs, Kesha, City & Colour, Moon Taxi, Brothers Osborne (May 24 only), Dhani Harrison, John Paul White, Nikki Lane, Brendan Benson, Rayland Baxter, Holly Williams, Langhorne Slim, Eric Pulido of Midlake, Ruby Amanfu, Karen Elson, Amanda Shires (May 24 only), Danny Masterson, Bijou Phillips, The Whigs, Cory Chisel, Adriel Denae, Jonathan Tyler, Robert Ellis, Shelly Colvin, Tommy Emmanuel and more surprise guests.

Charlie McCoy (who played on the Dylan albums Blonde on Blonde, Nashville Skyline and John Wesley Harding) will be sitting in on harmonica. The artists will be backed by the Best Fest’s house band, The Cabin Down Below Band.

The concerts will also mark the 50th anniversary of the release of Blonde on Blonde, Dylan’s first album recorded entirely in Nashville.

“We are thrilled and grateful to celebrate the life and legacy of Bob Dylan at the legendary Ryman Auditorium,” said Best Fest founder Austin Scaggs. “To honor Bob and raise money for a wonderful charity is a win-win.”

Jameson Irish Whiskey, Google Play, SunTrust Bank, Billy Reid, The Hutton Hotel, Jim & Nicks BBQ, and Husk are sponsors of the event.