Jason Isbell Surprised With Bob Dylan’s Guitar At Last Newport Folk Festival Appearance

Earlier this week, Newport Folk Festival organizers revealed Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit will return to perform at this year’s event. Isbell is no stranger to the festival, having performed at Newport Folk a handful of times in the past. Jason’s most recent Newport Folk performance took place in 2015 and that year he filmed a segment for the festival’s Behind The Walls series in which he received a big surprise.

The installment starts with Jason Isbell talking about the influence Bob Dylan has on him. A producer then reveals he has a surprise for the Alabama-bred guitarist/vocalist. Isbell is handed the guitar Bob Dylan used at Newport 50 years prior the night Bob “went electric.” Jason is in awe of the instrument and noodles on it and finds out the history of the Fender guitar.

Watch the 2015 Behind The Walls segment featuring Jason Isbell:

As a bonus, check out a cover of Wet Willie’s “Keep On Smilin'” for MyMusicRX that Jason Isbell recorded at the 2015 Newport Folk Festival: