Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend and James Mercer from The Shins are set to help choose the winners of the 2026-2027 Bob Dylan Center songwriter fellowship. This fellowship is awarded each year to two talented songwriters who show great promise and creativity.
Joining Koenig and Mercer on the selection panel are Lucy Dacus from boygenius and Dan Wilson from Semisonic. Mercer shared his personal connection to Bob Dylan’s music, recalling how it changed his writing and perspective on life. He said, “I fell into the crevasse that is Bob Dylan’s work on a sleepless winter night in Chicago… That experience led to changes in my writing and my perception of life as a thinking person.” He added that the fellowship gives new artists a chance to explore Dylan’s work and writing process, which he finds exciting.
If you’re interested in applying for the fellowship, the application period is open now until April 27. The Bob Dylan Center is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and it’s a great opportunity for aspiring songwriters to gain recognition and support.
