How Indianapolis’ Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell influenced Bob Dylan’s music

March 25, 2026

Bob Dylan turns 85 this May — and he’s still on the road. On March 31, he’ll perform at Emens Auditorium in Muncie, Indiana. But Indiana's connection to his music runs deeper than a tour date. Indianapolis was the home of the legendary blues duo: Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell. Dylan has drawn on their music throughout his career, and in a 1968 issue of Sing Out! magazine he made that influence clear. Writing about Scrapper Blackwell, Dylan said: "There is a strong line in all our music that can be traced back directly to Scrapper Blackwell. He was a truly great musician who did deserve more than was ever given him." This week on Cultural Manifesto, explore the influence of Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell on the music of Bob Dylan.