In May 2018, the Duluth Dylan Fest committee created an annual lecture series in honor of John Bushey who passed away in February 2018.
The John Bushey Memorial Lecture Program derives its name from a man whose influence and impact goes far beyond what even his closest friends realize. For more than 26 years he was the voice of KUMD radio program Highway 61 Revisited, the Dylan-themed music hour that reached listeners around the globe. This weekly radio show helped strengthen our local community’s commitment to honoring native son Bob Dylan, who was born at St. Mary’s Hospital and lived in the Central Hillside of Duluth until he was six. But John had many other facets of his life: Eagle scout, internationally respected magician and Houdini collector, much-loved elementary school teacher, musician and legendary Dylanophile and Dylanologist. The common thread throughout the years was the degree to which he pursued his passions, each of his interests flowing into the others.
The 2021 John Bushey Memorial Lecture Series featured Dave Engel, author of “Just Like Bob Zimmerman’s Blues: Dylan in Minnesota“
Previous Lectures
Distinguished authors who have presented at the Duluth Dylan Fest’s John Bushey Memorial Lecture series include:
May 28, 2022: Paul Metsa, musician, poet, radio and tv host, and author of Alphabet Jazz.
May 25, 2022 – Peter K. McKenzie, author of “BOB DYLAN On A Couch & Fifty Cents A Day.” To view a recording please visit https://youtu.be/xzjfV0AkZqY
May 29, 2021 – Dave Engel, author of “Just Like Bob Zimmerman Blues: Dylan in Minnesota.” To view livestream recording please visit Wherehouse Productions YouTube Page.
June 26, 2019 – Louis Kemp, author of “Dylan & Me 50 Years of Adventures”
May 25, 2019 – David Gaines, author of In Dylan Town
May 26, 2018 – Richard F. Thomas, author of “Why Bob Dylan Matters”
May 19, 2018 — David Pichaske author of “Song of the North Country: A Midwest Framework to the Songs of Bob Dylan”
Duluth Dylan Fest 