The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band , an American rock band, has been in various forms since it was founded in Long Beach, California in 1966. The group's membership has had at least a dozen changes over the years, including the 1976 -1981 when the band performed and recorded as Dirt Band . Constant members from the earliest days were singer-guitarist Jeff Hanna and drummer Jimmie Fadden. The multi-instrumental John McEuen joined the band from 1966 to 1986 and returned in 2001 and left once again in November 2017. Keyboardist Bob Carpenter joined the band in 1977. The band is often cited as instrumental to the development of contemporary music and the roots of contemporary music.
The band's success included a cover version of Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mr. Bojangles". His albums include 1972's Will the Circle Be Unbroken , featuring traditional country artists such as Mother Maybelle Carter, Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, and Jimmy Martin. A follow-up album based on the same concept, Will the Circle Become Unbroken: Volume Two released in 1989, certified gold, won two Grammys, and was named Album of the Year at the Country Music Awards Association.
Video Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
History
1966-69
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was founded around 1966 in Long Beach, California by singer-guitarist Jeff Hanna and guitarist singer-songwriter Bruce Kunkel who has appeared as New Coast Two and then the unauthorized Jug Band. Trying, in the words of the band's website, to "find out how not to work for life," Hanna and Kunkel join the informal jam session at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Long Beach. There they met with several other musicians: bassist guitarist/basin Ralph Barr, clichés Les Thompson, harmonic player and jug Jimmie Fadden, and guitarists Jackson Browne. As a Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, six men start as pitch bands and adopt the folk rock style of burgeoning southern California, playing in local clubs wearing striped suits and cowboy boots. Their first payment performance was at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, California.
Browne was in the band just a few months before he went on to concentrate on his solo career as a singer-songwriter. He was replaced by John McEuen on banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and steel guitar. McEuen's older brother William was the group manager, and he helped the band sign a contract with Liberty Records, which released the group's debut album, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band during 1967. The band's first single, " Buy for Me the Rain, "was Top 40 successful, and the band got exposure on The Tonight Show, starring Johnny Carson, as well as concerts with different artists like Jack Benny and The Doors.
The second album, Ricochet , was released later this year and was less successful than the first. Kunkel wants the band to "go electric", and incorporate more original material. Bruce left the group to form WordSalad and Of The People. He was replaced by multi-instrumentalist Chris Darrow.
In 1968, the band adopted electrical instruments, and added drums. The first electric album, Rare Junk , was a commercial failure, as happened next, Alive .
The band continues to gain publicity, especially as a novelty act, making appearances in the 1968 movie, For Singles Only, and a cameo appearance in the 1969 western music movie Paint Your Wagon, performing " Hand Me Down That Can o 'Beans ". The band also played Carnegie Hall as the opening act for Bill Cosby and played in a jam session with Dizzy Gillespie.
1969-76
The group is inactive for a period of 6 months after Paint Your Wagon , then reformed with Jimmy Ibbotson replacing Chris Darrow. With William McEuen as a producer and renegotiation contract giving the band more artistic freedom, the band recorded and released Uncle Charlie & amp; His Dog Teddy, issued in 1970. Grabbing traditional sound, traditional country and bluegrass, the album includes the most famous singles in the group; a cover version of Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mr. Bojangles", Michael Nesmith's "Some of Shelley's Blues", and four Kenny Loggins songs including "House at Pooh Corner", the first recording of Loggins songs. Their version of "Mr. Bojangles" became the group's first hit, peaking at # 9 on Billboard's all genre Hot 100 chart, with 36 unusual weeks on the charts.
The next album, All The Good Times , released in early 1972, has a similar style.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band subsequently attempted to solidify its reputation as a country band when band member John McEuen asked Earl Scruggs whether he was going to record with the group. Earl's "yes" followed next week when John asked Doc Watson the same question, receiving the same answer from 'yes'. This moves a further addition from other artists, and with the help of Earl and Louise Scruggs, they manage to travel to Nashville, Tennessee and record what becomes a triple album, Will the Circle Become Uninterrupted with Nashville Roy Acuff , Earl Scruggs, and Jimmy Martin, the pioneer state of Mother Maybelle Carter, guitarist folk-blues Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Norman Blake, and others. The title is from the song, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By)", as adapted by AP Carter, and reflects the album's theme to try to tie three generations of musicians: a long-haired boy from California and an older veteran of establishment Central America. The song "I Saw the Light" with Acuff songs, was a success, and the album received two nominations for the Grammy Award. Violin veteran Vassar Clements was introduced to a wider audience by the album and gave him a new career. The band also toured Japan twice soon after this period.
After the next album Les Thompson left the group, making the band four. Stars & amp; Stripes Forever is a live album that blends old successes such as "Buy for Me the Rain" and "Mr. Bojangles" with Collaborative Circles (fiddler Vassar Clements is a guest star) and long storytelling talk monologue -said. The studio album, Dream , was also released.
During July 1974, the band was among the main acts at the Ozark Music Festival at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia, Missouri. Some estimates put the crowd at 350,000 people, which would make this one of the greatest musical events in history. At another concert, the band opened for rock band Aerosmith.
1976-81: "The Dirt Band"
Jimmy Ibbotson left the band in late 1976, leaving Fadden, Hanna, and McEuen to add John Cable and Jackie Clark, with guitars and bass. In May 1977, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band became the first American group allowed to tour Russia, Armenia, Georgia and Latvia - the Soviet Union. Play 28 sold-out concerts, and television appearances that are estimated to have been watched by 145 million people. In 1977, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band first appeared in the second season of PBS music program, Austin City Limits.
After returning from Russia, the band released their first 'greatest success' compilation, another now rare triple album Dirt, Silver & amp; Gold , in 1978. After the release, the band shortened its name to The Dirt Band, and the group's sound became more pop and rock oriented. Saxophonist Al Garth, drummer Merel Bregante, and bassist Richard Hathaway were also added to the lineup in 1978 and Jeff Hanna became a group producer for several albums.
Keyboardist Bob Carpenter (who sometimes sat with the band from 1975) contributed to their 1978 album The Dirt Band and joined the band permanently in 1979.
Albums during this period include The Dirt Band and An American Dream . The single "American Dream" with Linda Ronstadt reached No. 1. 13 on the popular music charts. The band also appeared on Saturday Night Live in their own slots (performing instrumental written by John, "White Russia"), and separately, billed as The Toot Uncommons, providing support for Steve Martin to his fingers. -selling a new song, "King Tut." They also played in the hit recorded in Aspen earlier that year.
In 1980, Bregante left the group and drummer Mike Gardner replaced Bregante on stage with the tour group, only to be replaced by Vic Mastrianni in 1981. Al Garth moved to the Pure Prairie League and then the Eagles.
The albums Make a Little Magic and Jealousy were released in 1980 and 1981, with the single "Make a Little Magic" featuring Nicolette Larson reaching the Top 25 on the pop chart. The group also featured a song on Steve Martin's 1980 special television, All Commercials , with additional comic elements in which Martin synced Larson's voice for the last segment of the song.
1982-89: return to "Nitty Gritty"
The band returned to the original name and roots of the country in 1982 with a stripping lineup to Hanna, Fadden, McEuen and Jimmy Ibbotson rejoined for a recording session in Nashville, Tennessee for Let's Go album, which resulted in a successful "Dance Little Jean "which is a top 10 hit country. Carpenter rejoined the band in 1983 and the next album, 1984 Plain Dirt Fashion made it to No. 1 success. 1, "Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream)".
There are two more countries. 1: "Modern Day Romance" (1985) and "Fishin 'in the Dark" (1987), the latter being the best-selling single in the band, eventually becoming certified platinum in 2014 despite never reaching the Hot 100. Other successful songs is "Dance Little Jean" (1983); "I Love Only You" (1984); "High Horse" (1985); "Another House in My Heart," "Partner, Brother and Friend" and "Stand a Little Rain" (1986); "Fire in the Sky," "Baby's Got a Hold on Me" and "Oh What a Love" (1987); "Workin 'Man (Nowhere to Go)" and "I've Been Lookin'" (1988); and "Down That Road Tonight" and "When it Gone" (1989).
Performances included the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the inaugural Farmer Concert concert in Champaign, Illinois. The 20th anniversary concert at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado features guests such as Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris, Doc Watson, and John Prine.
John McEuen left the band in late 1986, replaced by Bernie Leadon, a former member of the Eagles. He shared with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1987 and 1988. The band's 19th album, Hold On featured the No. 1 single. "1" Fishin in the Dark "and" Baby's Got a Hold on Me. " "The band appeared on the Today Show and The Tonight Show the same week, and toured Europe.
During 1989, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band returned to Nashville, to record Will the Circle Become Unbroken: Volume Two . Returning from the first circle Circle includes Earl Scruggs, Vassar Clements, and Roy Acuff. Johnny Cash and the Carter Family, Emmylou Harris, and Ricky Skaggs joined the session, as did John Prine, Levon Helm, John Denver, John Hiatt, Bruce Hornsby and former Byrds Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman. The album won two Grammy Awards and was named the Album of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards for Best Country Vocal Performance (duo or group) and the 1989 Country of Association of the Year Award.
1990-2000
As four from Hanna, Fadden, Ibbotson and Carpenter, the band toured again to the former Soviet Union, as well as Canada, Europe, and Japan. The 25-year anniversary concert was recorded at Live Two Five in Red Deer, Alberta, produced by T-Bone Burnett.
During 1992, the band collaborated with Irish The Chieftains for Grammy Award-winning Another Country . Other attempts include the album Acoustic, highlighting their "wooden" sound, duet with Karla Bonoff, "You Believe in Me" for the Olympic MCA compilation, One Voice , and a cover version of "Maybe Baby" Buddy Holly for the Decca tribute album, Not Fade Away . Christmas album was released in 1997, followed by Bang! Bang! Bang! in 1999.
During April 1992, they were the unconscious subject of one of the malapropisms of George H. W. Bush when he referred to the group as "Nitty Ditty Nitty Gritty Great Bird" at a country music award ceremony in Nashville:
- " I told them there was another Nitty Ditty Nitty Gritty Great Bird and said if you want to see a rainbow you have to stand a little rain. "
This unusual phrase is repeatedly used as an example of Bush's chaotic syntax (especially, in Dave Barry's book Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway and on Barry's non-audiobook album, A Totally Random Evening with Dave Barry ), which in turn helped publish the band.
2000s
John McEuen rejoined the band in 2001. During 2002, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band celebrated the 30th anniversary of their landmark Will the Circle Become Uninterrupted with the remake of the 1972 album CD and a new compilation < i> Will the Circle Breaked: Volume III . The album of all new material, Welcome to Woody Creek, was released in 2004. Jimmy Ibbotson again left the band a few years later.
Also during 2004, the country group Rascal Flatts released the cover of "Bless the Broken Road," which had been recorded by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Acoustics from 1994. Songwriters Jeff Hanna, Marcus Hummon, and Bobby Boyd won a Grammy for Best Country Song for this work in 2005.
During 2005 the band donated the song "Soldier's Joy" to the Too Many Years album to utilize Clear Path International's work with landmine victims. Also in 2005, the band was recognized by the International Entertainment Buyers Association for 40 years of contribution to the music industry.
In 2009 the band released a new album, Speed ​​â € <â €
2010s
In September 2015, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band commemorated their 50th anniversary with a sold-out show at Ryman Theater. Recorded for the PBS specials which debuted in March 2016, the concert included guests John Prine, Sam Bush, Vince Gill, Jerry Jeff Walker, Alison Krauss, Rodney Crowell, Byron House, Jerry Douglas and Jackson Browne besides former Ibbotson members. On September 30, 2016, Circlin 'Back: Celebrating 50 Years, live CDs and DVDs were released. In a 2016 review, the Los Angeles Times wrote that the original release "helped knock down barriers and then separate traditional country and rock music community, setting the stage for the ultimate emergence of what came to be known as Americana Music." John McEuen announced his departure from the band in December 2017 at the end of their 50th anniversary tour. John is currently featured as a solo artist.
Maps Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Family
Children Jeff Hanna and John McEuen, Jaime Hanna and Jonathan McEuen, were recorded for DreamWorks Records in 2005 as Hanna-McEuen.
Awards and nominations
- 1984 - CMA Nominations for this year's Instrumental Group
- 1985 - CMA Nominations for this year's Instrumental Group; ACM Nominated for Vocal Group of the Year
- 1986 - CMA Nominations for Vocal Group of the Year
- 1988 - CMA Nomination for Vocal Group of the Year
- 1989 - CMA Award for Album Of The Year; Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals; Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Recording; Grammy Award for Co-producing Best Country Instrumental
- 2002 - Grammy nomination for Best Country Vocal Performance - Duo or Group and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
- 2003 - CMA nomination for Vocal Event of the Year (NGDB with Johnny Cash); IBMA Award for Best Recording Event
- 2004 - Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental (NGDB with Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs, Jerry Douglas, and Vassar Clements)
- 2015 - Colorado Music Hall of Fame induction
band formation
Timeline
Discography
References
Further reading
- Grobaty, Tim (January 12, 2016). "A Long Beach home for Dirt Band John McEuen". Press-Telegram . Retrieved January 24 2018 .
External links
- Official site
- Listen or Watch from Woodsongs archived 551 events
- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at AllMusic
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments