Bob Dylan’s Birthday on Galiano Island, B.C.

My coast-to-coast pilgrimage/ minitour in the summer of 2009 permitted me to reconnect with family members not seen for far too long. There was great music all along the way, much of it with my cousin Glen and his son Greg.

During the course of that action-packed weekend in Vancouver, I was introduced to the story of the annual Galiano Island Bob Dylan Birthday Bash, where musicians, poets, dancers, singers, and assorted Dylan freaks descend on the Island Hall, bring food for a potluck dinner and party through an evening of all things Bob. I decided to get myself invited to the next one, which was scheduled for Monday, May 24, 2010.

A pro packing job!

Scott and Greg in the Rialta

Carolyn Oko at home

Along with the attraction of getting to know a new island, I was looking forward to meeting the other musicians who had been making this pilgrimage for as many as fifteen years. Glen, Greg and I packed the Rialta and headed for the first ferry on Sunday and arrived at Carolyn (Fay) Oko’s house just after noon.

She’s the “den mother” and MC for the annual get-together and had agreed to open her living room for jamming and rehearsals. It wasn’t long before the space started filling with guitars, mandolins, harmonicas, and song. Peter Judd arrived from Mayne Island to round out our “house band” and with Carly, Zack, Nick, Dan the Man and Paul Gregory we jammed until late Sunday night.

Tom Hennessy makes hammocks, but in his real life he’s a Dylan freak. A co-founder of this shindig, he’s also been filming the shows for the last ten years or so and has promised to provide me with footage. In the meantime, we have some homemade footage for you on the “Multimedia” page.

Jamming at Caroline's with Zack and Carly.

Tom Hennessy at home

Heather McRae, Galiano 2010

Tamara Nile is a homegirl and evoked the spirit of the event’s co-founder, Gary Cramer, kicking off the show with his Canadiana anthem, “Truck Drivin’ Man”. She and Zack sounded divine harmonizing on “Mr. Tambourine Man”, then Zack and Carly did a wonderful job on “Oh Sister” and “I Shall Be Released” before leading the evening’s first singalong with “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”.

I was next on the program, I love late 60s-mid 70s Dylan. “If Not For You” was a request for Tom’s wife Anne which I was glad to honour. Proclaiming, “I love blondes”, I followed with “I Want You”, backed up on both tunes by Glen on keys, Peter on bass and Greg on drums. The fans loved it, I was already having a blast and there was a whole night of music ahead.

I can’t possibly list all the performers, but there was a stunning variety of styles and arrangements. From simple solo folk to Hawaiian Hoser throwdowns to interpretive modern dance, straight ahead rockers and Gaelic recitations, the highlights were many. From where I stood, Heather McRae stole the show (just before the Shermans’ closing set, natch) playing accordion, harmonica, ukulele and stomp board simultaneously while singing “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” accompanied my a mad dancing dervish/ electric guitarist. She also got the whole crowd singing along with “Blowin’ In the Wind” which can be viewed on the Multimedia page or by clicking over to our YouTube channel, scottmandu109.

For the big finale, I accompanied Glen on “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again” and Po’ Boy, then I took lead vocal for “Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat.” The traditional group closer of “Forever Young” and “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” needed a bit of extra spice so we steered the overcrowded stage into a 15- minute raveup on “All Along the Watchtower” that had the crowd up and dancing for the first time in the event’s history. Success!

Peter, Scott, Greg and Glen rock Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat