---

Dale Sechrest will soon do another tribute, Bob Dylan. The previous tribute was for Harry Chapin in front of a sold out crowd at the YES Cinema in Columbus. I was there and very much enjoyed it as others obviously did too.

I look forward to this tribute and asked Dale a few questions as he and the Peace Band make final plans before the performance at the YES Cinema in the Sarla Kalsi Conference Room once again on at 7 p.m. Friday, May 15. 

Admission is $25 in advance through the YES Cinema website, and I would advise you to purchase now if interested due to possibly another sold out night of great music. 

There were many attending from Hope last time as Dale attended Hauser in  7th and 8th grade with high regards, like many, for Glen Keller, his principal. And Dale has been one of the worship leaders at the Moravian Church for ten years. His responses to my questions follow:

Q: According to the YES website, “Get ready for a night of pure poetry, folk-rock rebellion, and timeless tunes.”  I suspect those words have something to do with the title of the event, “Tangled Up in Dylan.” Am I right?

A:  David, there is certainly much ‘tied up’ in those words, describing the music and words of Bob Dylan.

My first Dylan album was ‘Blood on the Tracks.' Personally, I think it’s one of his best, artistically and lyrically; it is also one where I think he sounds his best. One of my favorite songs on that album is, ‘Tangled Up In Blue'. So, the title of the concert gets its name from that track, with a little play on words.

Q: Did you watch the movie, “A Complete Unknown?” What did you really like about it?

A: I enjoyed the story line, leaning toward almost a documentary on Dylan. I could tell that the actor, Timothée Chalamet, studied film clips from Dylan’s early years. Overall, I thought it was a good film.

Q: Bob has written many songs. Which ones do you plan to perform?

A: Although we are not presenting songs in the order they were written, we are wanting to take people on a musical journey of sorts: songs that established Dylan as a major songwriter, songs that became anthems during the sixties, protest songs, and, of course, his songs of later years. Many people would consider it a farce if a couple of his songs were not in the repertoire like ‘Blowing in the Wind’ and ‘The Time’s They Are A-Changin'. A few years back he received an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song, "Things Have Changed" from the movie, ‘Wonder Boys.’ We will probably do that one as well.”

Q: During the Chapin Tribute, you did one of your original songs, “Harry and Sandy,” which would have pleased Harry since it very much is storytelling. Are you thinking about doing one of your songs that would please Bob?

A: I have been asked to perform one of my own that some have expressed has a ‘Dylanesque’ feel to it. I never got that connection myself. ‘The Ballad of Matthew and the Priest’ was written for my English teacher, Mr. Dennis Lindsey. He had a huge impact on me. I’ve lost touch with him over the past several years, but Dennis was also a big Dylan fan. Mr. Lindsey and I had much in common. To get back to your question, I’m not sure that I will do one of my own. People are there to hear the songs of Bob Dylan.

Q: You reached a high range with your voice during the Chapin Tribute which was somewhat surprising to me considering the number of times I have heard you sing. Will you be doing something unexpected with your guitar or voice during the Dylan Tribute?

A: Thank you, David, for that! I was blessed to have some vocal training and coaching from Jenny Heichelbech a couple of years prior to doing the Chapin Tribute. It took much time and practice. You have me laughing with that question, David. Because, if I were to tell you that I was planning on doing something unexpected with the guitar or voice during the Dylan gig, then it would not be unexpected, would it?” (I'm laughing, too, Dale!)

Q: Who are the members of the Peace Band?

A: I’m really excited about our line up for this event, David. The Peace Band consists of Anthony Garrison on drums and Mark Fisher on bass. Both are excellent in their craft. I have been blessed to play music with them. For this event we have two special guests: Michael Clark and Juli Sechrest. Juli, my wife, is a great pianist and also has a wonderful singing voice. She will be playing a keyboard which has the sound of a Hammond B3 organ, a very popular instrument in some of Dylan’s songs. Michael Clark, a native of Columbus Indiana, will be playing lead guitar. Michael is an independent, multi-Gold Record award-winning music producer/songwriter based in Indianapolis. He is best known for producing certified gold national albums for Capitol/Nashville artists. He has recorded and performed with John Mellencamp in the past. In fact, The Peace Band and myself were in the studio with Michael producing, just this past Friday, recording a couple new tunes for an upcoming album.

Q: There is much time and effort involved in preparing for this type of event. How many hours of practice have been devoted to the program?

A: Oh, my. As an example, this morning I have run through the set list at home. This afternoon, I will meet up with Anthony, Mark, and Juli, and we’ll have a rehearsal. Later tonight, I’ll be working on the songs again. We started rehearsing as a team as soon as the Chapin concert was finished in January, sometimes twice a week. Every chance we get, we’re working on the music, on our own or together.

Q: Your son, Andrew, joined you last time and was fantastic. Will he be performing again?

A: It was a thrill to have Andrew sing with us last time. Currently, he is not sure about joining us this Friday.

Q: Is there anything else you wish to inform our readers about for Friday, May 15?

A: Maybe a couple of things. The tickets are not assigned to seats. So if there is a particular place you would like to sit, it may be good to arrive early enough to get that seat. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Also, some have asked if I will be singing in Bob Dylan’s voice. And yet, others have informed me that I already sound like him. (Laughingly!) Through his history of recording, he has at least five different singing voices. I attempted to find a good medium. But, I have since been advised that, it is Dylan’s songs and not so much his voice that people will want to hear. So, with that said, I will not be trying to imitate Bob Dylan’s singing voice.

Q: Your musical journey started a long time ago at the age of 15 when receiving a guitar instead of drums. Which one of your songs captures that journey the best?

A: It would be 'The Bye-Bye Song', one about not getting what you want, but what you get ends up being better, a song yet to be recorded. It was written years ago. The current album project in the works is titled ‘Revealed.’ Afterwards, we’ll be working on ‘Sojourn.’ So, maybe it will be on the ‘Sojourn’ album.

Q: Are you considering another tribute, John Denver possibly? I know years ago you played “Grandma's Feather Bed” numerous times on an Indianapolis television show.

A: I always love John Denver’s music but probably not. I have heard there is someone locally who is doing that, though. We have already been booked to do another ‘Evening of Harry Chapin’s Music’ in October at YES Cinema. Aside from that, I have no plans to do another type of tribute outside of Chapin and Dylan for the time being. As a group, we feel like we need to expand and take them to other locations. But, we also would like to focus on bringing our own music to various venues.

Q: Where can readers find out more information about Dale Sechrest and his music?

A: People can check out my website, which is updated occasionally. They can also locate my music through various streaming sites, such as Spotify, Apple, Youtube Music, and Amazon Music. Of course, many of the songs are on YouTube, as well. Thank you David, for taking the time for this interview. And, thank you to all those who came to the Chapin Concert, and all who are coming to the Dylan Concert. We couldn’t do it if it were not for you!