Lucinda Williams has a deep connection to the Twin Cities having toured here for many years, and in fact, she married her husband, Tom Overby, onstage at First Avenue in Minneapolis after playing a show there in 2009.

So whenever Williams makes a stop in Minneapolis and St. Paul, even though she’s originally from New Orleans and has been based in Nashville for a long time, it does feel like a homecoming of sorts.

On Friday, March 13, 2026, The Current welcomed Lucinda Williams to the Forum at Minnesota Public Radio to perform a MicroShow, hosted by Zach McCormick and recorded before a live studio audience. The audience comprised MPR members who had entered for a chance to win passes to the event.

Watch the full performance in the video player above.

Interview Highlight

Zach McCormick: We are joined by Lucinda Williams in the Forum today talking about her awesome new record, World's Gone Wrong, here on The Current. You were mentioning Bob Dylan earlier. Bob Dylan, of course, one of our Minnesota legends here … I heard that you got a chance to meet Bob on the road when you were out on the Outlaw Tour as well. What was that experience like for you? I mean, I know he's, he's a favorite of yours, has been for years.

Lucinda Williams: More than a favorite.

Zach McCormick: Yeah.

Lucinda Williams: Just — that's what it is. It's just, you know.

Zach McCormick: We're not worthy! Absolutely.

Lucinda Williams: Well, the first time I met him actually was a long time ago in New York City, when I first went up there on my own, I think it was in the '70s, probably, and I was doing a gig at Folk City, and I was opening up for this guy, Tom Pacheco, who was out of Woodstock. And so when I got done, I walked over, kind of close to the bar, and Mike Porco was standing there, who is the guy who managed it for a long time, this little old Italian guy, really sweet, kind of this gruff voice, "Lucinda!" you know. And he came over to me and said, "Lucinda, I want to introduce you to a friend of mine." And at first I thought, "OK, it's going to be some guy, I'm not really in the mood," you know, "I'm tired and blah, blah, blah." And he goes, and there was this guy sitting at the bar. Still didn't realize who it was, this kind of skinny, real quiet guy just sitting there. And Mike Porco says, "Lucinda, this is a-Bobby." And it still, I still didn't, you know. And then I put out my hand to shake his hand. And Mike Porco says, "This is a-Bobby. Bobby Dylan." And I just — the blood rushed to my head. And, I mean, it was a physical reaction, because the energy thing around him was really strong. And sorry, I hate to sound all woo-woo about it, but it's true. You know?

Zach McCormick: Absolutely.

Lucinda Williams: It was a rush. It really was a rush, partly because I hadn't realized who he was at first, I guess. And I was taken aback. I wasn't prepared at all, you know? And then he just kind of leaned in and he said something like, "Keep in touch. We're going to be going on the road soon," and I didn't know how to, you know, "'Keep in touch'? Do I give you my number? What do I do?" You know?

Lucinda Williams: And I didn't do anything. And then I could tell, you know, people were starting to mill around, the people in the venue, and they were starting to realize who was sitting over there, you know. And I just kind of picked that up. And so I thought, OK, he's getting ready to have to leave. So I got up off the bar stool and walked over by the door, because I knew he would walk out that way, and I wanted to be there when he left.

Video Segments

00:01:14 The World’s Gone Wrong
00:06:57 Low Life
00:11:50 Interview with host Zach McCormick, part 1
00:17:52 Jukebox
00:22:23 World Without Tears
00:25:55 Interview with host Zach McCormick, part 2
00:30:22 We’ve Come Too Far to Turn Around

Songs 1, 2 and 5 from Lucinda Williams’ 2026 album, World’s Gone Wrong; song 3 from Williams’ 2023 album, Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart; both albums are available on Highway 20 Records / Thirty Tigers. Song 4 from Williams’ 2003 album, World Without Tears, available on Lost Highway Records.

Musicians

Lucinda Williams – vocals
Doug Pettibone – guitar, backing vocals

Credits

Guest – Lucinda Williams
Host – Zach McCormick
Producers – Derrick Stevens, Tom Campbell
Audio – Derek Ramirez
Video – Eric Xu Romani
Camera Operators – Evan Clark, Maurizio D’Errico
Graphics – Natalia Toledo
Digital Producers – Reed Fischer, Luke Taylor

External Link

Lucinda Williams – official site