Bob Dylan fans were full of praise for the guitarist who has replaced both Bob Britt and Doug Lancio. Joel Paterson was drafted in at the last minute for a show in Austin, Texas. Britt confirmed his departure in a Facebook post reading “Sayonara, Bobby” while Lancio has been absent since mid-June. Jazz guitarist Julian Lage also appeared in a selection of shows from June 13 but has since left the tour due to prior commitments.
Paterson is now set to perform a week or two more with Dylan and the band, with a replacement for Britt made, but not confirmed as permanent. It is unclear whether someone will replace Paterson in the coming weeks or whether Lancio or Lage will return in time for future performances and the European leg of the 2026 tour schedule. But what is clear is that attendees are thrilled with Paterson’s work on guitar.
A post to X from a Dylan fan praised the veteran songwriter for drafting Paterson into the show. They wrote: “Very interesting that upon losing his two long-term guitarists during this tour, Bob ‘You basically play the same thing time after time in the most perfect way you can’ Dylan has recruited two of the top contemporary jazz guitarists to fill the gaps they left behind.”
Paterson is well-known in the Chicago blues community and his appointment to guitar duties on the Dylan tour has surprised other listeners. A post to the Bob Dylan subreddit saw people praise the guitarist, who has worked on Beatles cover albums and provided steel guitar to some Dylan covers in the past.
One fan wrote: “Such a good show. Bob was in good voice and the whole band was swinging. Paterson was quick to pick up everything. There was a mockingbird on a lamp post nearby that was periodically singing along all night. Lucinda Williams and John Doe were great too.”
Another added: “Great addition to the Dylan live sound. I saw the show and it felt like a great fit, Paterson has a jazzy, rockabilly vibe that gels with the band wonderfully…maybe a better guitarist for the Dylan show than Lage. Wouldn’t it be cool if Lage and Paterson jammed?”
A third added: “Impressive that this was pulled off at all. Had some aspects that reminded me of the early 2000s Larry Campbell/Charlie Sexton live vibes. Around the 2:00 mark, it sounds like Paterson was about to go into something interesting but had to pull back as Bob’s vocal came back in. If he ends up being as permanent as one can be in Bob’s band, this is a really awesome start.”
Those well-versed with Paterson’s work were full of praise for the guitarist, who has been working in the Chicago blues scene for some years. One person wrote: “I’ve been watching Paterson perform in Chicago for the past 20 years. He’s insanely talented and a very cool guy. Wild to see him get this opportunity.”
Patterson joined Dylan on the June 29 performance and it is not known whether this appearance was a one-off or a permanent addition to the stage. A profile of Patterson on his website reads: “Originally from Madison, WI, guitar and steel guitar wizard Joel Paterson has been a mainstay of the Chicago roots music scene for over twenty years, playing with many bands and showcasing his unique blend of jazz, blues, rockabilly, country and western swing.
“In addition to solo shows that delve into the history of all-things-guitar, Joel’s current projects include: The Joel Paterson Trio; The Joel Paterson Quartet (seen weekly at the world-famous Green Mill Cocktail Lounge); and The Western Elstons (Chicago honky tonk favorites). He is also known for his instrumental recordings reminiscent of Les Paul and Chet Atkins—Joel’s album, Hi-Fi Christmas Guitar has become a holiday cult classic, even making the Rolling Stone list of top Christmas albums of 2018.
“As a studio musician, Joel can be heard on the recordings of the Cactus Blossoms, JD McPherson, Kelly Hogan, Pokey LaFarge, and Deke Dickerson.” Patterson has six solo albums listed on his Bandcamp website, with covers of The Beatles, a Christmas album, and a collaboration with Annie Dolan listed. His full discography can be found below.
- Steel is Real (2008)
- Handful of Strings (2013)
- Hi-Fi Christmas Guitar (2017)
- Let It Be Guitar! (2019)
- Let It Be Acoustic Guitar! (2020)
- Another Someday Blues (2020)
- Wheelehouse Rag (2023)
- The More the Merrier (2023)
- Atta Boy Girl (2024)
Patterson joins the line-up after Britt confirmed he had quit the band in a post to his Facebook page that has since been shared by Dylan fans. The surprise departure comes amid speculation that Doug Lancio has also left the group, replaced by jazz guitarist Julian Lage. Britt, who has been a touring member of Dylan’s band since October 2019, confirmed he had quit the tour on June 28.
He took to Facebook and wrote: “Sayonara Bobby.” When pressed for further detail, he confirmed: “I quit.” Lancio is also believed to have been removed from the tour, though whether he left of his own volition or was fired is yet to be confirmed. Fans have wished both guitarists well, as their roles look set to be filled by jazz guitarist Lage and Patterson.
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