Dylan's full speech at MusiCares

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC Pop & Hiss

Grammys 2015: Transcript of Bob Dylan's MusiCares Person of Year speech

Bob Dylan, former president Jimmy Carter, Neil Portnow

Former President Jimmy Carter introduces Bob Dylan as the 2015 MusiCares Person of the Year with Neil Portnow, president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, during the MusiCares concert at the Convention Center. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

By RANDALL ROBERTS contact the reporter

Grammys 2015: Read the transcript of Bob Dylan's MusiCares Person of Year speech

Bob Dylan was honored by MusiCares, the charity organization that aids musicians in need, at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday night. After performances by artists including Tom Jones, Sheryl Crow, Neil Young, Beck, Jackson Browne and others, Dylan himself took a rare opportunity in the spotlight to deliver a 30-plus-minute acceptance speech.

Expansive, funny and insightful, Dylan didn't pull any punches, calling out songwriters who had criticized his work while indicting Nashville and commercial country music.

He was introduced by former President Jimmy Carter, and walked out to a standing ovation. After thanking the organizers, Dylan referred to his notes and began by saying, "I'm going to read some of this."

FULL COVERAGE: Grammy Awards 2015

Grammys 2015: Sound and hurry as performers rehearse for the show

Grammys 2015: Sound and hurry as performers rehearse for the show

Because of moments of applause, and some echoey acoustics, a few of Dylan's words were inaudible on the recording I've consulted, and I've noted as such. Though it upsets him to hear it (see below), Dylan does sometimes mumble and slur his words.

Bob Dylan's MusiCares person of the year acceptance speech:

Herb Gart

Herbert Gart Bio As the 21st Century began, many organizations and media listed their Top 100 songs of the 20th Century. Four of my records were on almost all lists! "American Pie" by Don McLean was in the Top 10 on all lists, his hit "Vincent" was also in the Top 100; "At Seventeen" by Janis Ian made most lists and "Get Together" by The Youngbloods was in the Top 100 on many lists. Herb Gart started in the business in 1962 and has continued to discover great new talent constantly and consistently. Some of the Artists Gart has discovered and represented include: Bill Cosby (The Cosby Show); Buffy Sainte-Marie (won an Oscar for "Where Eagles Fly" from the film "An Officer And A Gentleman" ); The Youngbloods who had 2 Top 10 hits - ("Grizzley Bear", written and performed by Jerry Corbitt] and Jesse Colin Young singing the classic "Get Together" which has been featured in several films including "Forest Gump" ); Peter Tork (The Monkees); Don McLean ("American Pie" has been featured in several movies and Broadway shows, as well as the title of 2 films and the album has sold over 20 million copies); Andy Breckman (winner of several Emmies and Writer and Producer of the hit TV series "Monk"); Ashley Cleveland (3 Grammies); Felix Pappalardi ("Mountain" and producer of The Youngbloods and Cream); Charlie Daniels (produced The Youngbloods, Roy Buchanan and Jerry Corbitt and then teamed up with Corbitt to form the Corbitt-Daniels Band); Janis Ian (nominated for 10 Grammies, won 4 including Best Vocal Performance for "At Seventeen" & audiobook); Roy Buchanan (pivotal blues guitar influence); Mississippi John Hurt (great Delta Blues man); Sugar Blue (played blues harmonica on The Rolling Stones #1 hit "Miss You") ; Brooks Arthur (first work as a Producer was for me - Janis Ian and Swinging At The Stock Exchange) ; Tim Hardin (wrote # 1 songs "If I Were A Carpenter" and "A Reason To Believe"); Ed Begley Jr. (nominated for several Emmies as Dr. Ehrlich on St. Elsewhere TV series); Karen Harvey (Sang background for major artists at The Beatles Apple Studio, member of The Hawkes with Debbie Green and Alix Dobkin, [a leader of the LGBT Movement] and founding member of Holland's Sail Joia ); Roxy Dawn (a Bob Dylan discovery); Tony Bird (album voted one of the Top 10 of All Time in People Magazine) and several more. I love great Artists, no matter what the medium If you want to learn a great deal about me and be entertained at the same time, read this and listen to some great music! It includes Mississippi John Hurt, Bill Cosby, American Pie and the 60s with great music and interesting words. A Conversation with Herb Gart. http://bit.ly/1FSnxFq

Posted