Keene Equinox

Issue date: 2/19/04 Section: A & E

Who or what is Betty Dylan?

No one in the group is named Betty.Like Pink Floyd and Jethro Tull, the name is a combination of elements.Guitarist and songwriter "Dr. Dan" Dubelman has been told that he sings like Bob Dylan.

The name Betty completes the name and evokes the feminine quality of Vickie Dubelman, the other half of the group. These two are married, and hailing from Nashville, TN, tour the country in an RV.

The alt. country duo performed at in the Night Owl Caf Friday Feb. 13. Betty Dylan entertained a crowd diverse in age with their unique blend of stripped down country, blues, and rock.

After an introduction by a friend and his daughter, the group kicked the show off with their anthem, "American Trash". A satire and celebration of American life, the song tells of the freedoms we enjoy in this fine country, like eating "crap like McDonald's" and having "a TV the size of a flag."

"Wal-Mart parking lots have become a romantic place for us" jokes Vickie as she introduces their version of The Beatles' "Why Don't We Do It in the Road" one of several comedic songs in their repertoire.

Each song has its own introduction, and many have stories that go with them.

"We play a lot of bars," explained Vickie, "and there's always a really attractive waitress."

Following that explanation, they launched into a playful ditty where Dr. Dan wants to "lay that cute waitress", and a jealous Betty responds in the next verse with "I'm gonna lay that waitress."

"No night is complete without a little Cash," said Vickie, before busting into Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," which includes the famous lyric, one "I shot a man in Reno/Just to see him die." They seemed to have a lot of fun with it, with a good deal of vocal interplay between Vickie and Dr. Dan.

Vickie has a beautiful, full voice, with just enough roughness to perfectly compliment their gritty style of music. Her voice inflects soul into the music.

Continued...

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