For five decades, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has remained one of the most iconic names in American roots music. With one foot planted in the traditions of country-folk and the other pointing toward something new and unexpected, the group continues to tour and release music, influencing multiple generations of audiences and artists along the way. Nearly a dozen of those artists join the group on this year’s Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends – Circlin’ Back: Celebrating 50 Years concert album, released Sept. 30 on NGDB’s own label, distributed by Warner Nashville. As of yesterday’s SoundScan report, Circlin’ Back hit #11 both on the Country Albums chart and Americana Folk chart, while topping the Bluegrass chart at #1 in the first week of sales. Continuing the 50th anniversary celebration, the band played early and late sets at the Grand Ole Opry’s Birthday Bash on Saturday, Oct. 8 in Nashville, TN.
Circlin’ Back was recorded live at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends captures a group of longtime road warriors who’ve yet to lose their grit, joined onstage by John Prine, Sam Bush, Vince Gill, Jerry Jeff Walker, Alison Krauss, Rodney Crowell, Byron House, and Jerry Douglas. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer (and early Dirt Band member) Jackson Browne joined in, along with longtime member Jimmy Ibbotson, while a sold-out crowd sings along in the background. From country classics to deep cuts, the track-list finds bandmates Jeff Hanna (guitars/vocals), Jimmie Fadden (drums/harmonica/vocals), Bob Carpenter (keyboards/accordion/vocals) and John McEuen (banjo/fiddle/guitar/mandolin) swapping harmonies, trading solos, and shining new light on a catalog of vital, vibrant music.
Long before Americana music had a name, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band helped lead the charge, mixing elements of country, bluegrass, folk, mountain music, and rock & roll into a sound that celebrated the full range of American music. The guys were traditionalists and trendsetters, performing songs that nodded to the past while still pushing toward the future. Released in 1972 – just six years after the group formed in Southern California – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken still stands as one of the most beloved albums in the country catalog, pairing the young band with legends like Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, and Mother Maybelle Carter.
Many decades have passed since that milestone album’s release, with the members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band now enjoying their own legendary status. They continue to blur lines between genres, however, and the upcoming Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends accomplishes something very similar to the classic Will the Circle Be Unbroken pairing the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with the hit-makers, rule-breakers, and iconic figures of today’s roots music community. This time, Hanna, Fadden, Carpenter, and McEuen are the elder statesmen, passing down their influence and inspiration to a younger class without giving up the torch just yet. There’s more music to be made, after all. More shows to play. Another half-century to chase down. The circle rolls on.
Fans are able to purchase the cd or cd/dvd combo viawww.nittygritty.com, Amazon (cd or cd/dvd), and iTunes (cd or dvd).
For more information on NGDB, please visit www.nittygritty.com.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends – Circlin’ Back: Celebrating 50 Years CD track listing:
1. You Ain’t Going Nowhere 2. Grandpa Was a Carpenter featuring Jonh Prine 3. Paradise featuring John Prine 4. My Walking Shoes 5. Tenessee Stud festuring Vince Gill 6. “Nine Pound Hammer featuring Sam Bush and Vince Gill |
7. Buy Me For The Rain 8. These Days featurung Jackson Browne 9. Truthful Parson Brown featuring Jackson Brown, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush and Byron House 10. Keep On The Sunny Side featuring Alison Krauss 11. Catfish John featuring Alison Krauss 12. An American Dream featuring Rodney Crowell and Alison Krauss |
13. Long Hard Road featuring Rodney Crowell 14. Mr. Bojangles featuring Jerry Jeff Walker 15. “Fishing in The Dark featuring Jimmy Ibbotson 16. Bayou Jubilee / Sally Was a Goodun 17. Jambalaya 18. Will The Circle Be Unbroken |
On Tour:
Oct. 21 Dosey Doe – The Woodlands, Texas
Oct. 22 The Majestic Theatre – Dallas, Texas
Nov. 10 Grand Theatre – Frankfort, Ky.
Nov. 11 Midland Theatre – Newark, Ohio
Nov. 12 Temple Theatre – Saginaw, Mich.
Nov. 13 MotorCity Casino Hotel – Detroit, Mich.
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