Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Formed in Long Beach, California in 1965, this enduring attraction evolved from the region's traditional circuit. Founder members Jeff Hanna (guitar/vocals) and Bruce Kunkel (guitar/vocals) had worked together as the New Coast Two, prior to joining the Illegitimate Jug Band. Glen Grosclose (drums), Dave Hanna (guitar/vocals), Ralph Barr (guitar) and Les Thompson (bass/vocals) completed the embryonic Dirt Band line-up, although Groslcose and Dave Hanna quickly made way for Jimmie Fadden (drums/guitar) and Jackson Browne (guitar/vocals). Although the last musician only remained for a matter of months—he was replaced by John McEuen—his songs remained in the group's repertoire throughout their early career. NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND comprised of jugband, vaudeville and pop material, ranging from the quirky Candy Man to the orchestrated folk/pop Buy For Me The Rain, a minor US hit. RICOCHET maintained this balance, following which Chris Darrow, formerly of Kaleidoscope (US), replaced Kunkel. The Dirt Band completed two further albums, and enjoyed a brief role in the film Paint Your Wagon, before disbanding in 1969. The group reconvened the following year around Jeff Hanna, John McEuen, Jimmie Fadden, Les Thompson and newcomer Jim Ibbotson. Having abandoned the jokey elements of their earlier incarnation, they pursued a career as purveyors of superior country-rock. The acclaimed UNCLE CHARLIE AND HIS DOG TEDDY included excellent versions of Mike Nesmith's Some Of Shelly's Blues, Kenny Loggins’ House At Pooh Corner and Jerry Jeff Walker's Mr. Bojangles, a US Top 10 hit in 1970. WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN, recorded in Nashville, was an expansive collaboration between the group and traditional music mentors Doc Watson, Roy Acuff, Merle Travis and Earl Scruggs. Its charming informality inspired several stellar performances and the set played an important role in breaking down mistrust between country's establishment and the emergent ‘long hair’ practitioners. Les Thompson left the line-up following the album's completion, but the remaining quartet, buoyed by an enhanced reputation, continued their eclectic ambitions on STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER and DREAMS. In 1976 the group dropped its Nitty Gritty prefix and, as the Dirt Band, undertook a pioneering USSR tour the following year. Both Hanna and Ibbotson enjoyed brief sabbaticals, during which time supplementary musicians were introduced. By 1982 the prodigals had rejoined Fadden, McEuen and newcomer Bob Carpenter (keyboards) for LET'S GO. The Dirt Band were, by then, an American institution with an enduring international popularity. Long Hard Road (Sharecropper Dreams) and Modern Day Romance topped the country charts in 1984 and 1985, respectively, but the following year a now-weary McEuen retired from the line-up. Former Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon augmented the group for WORKING BAND, but left again on its completion. He was, however, featured on WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN VOLUME TWO, on which the Dirt Band rekindled the style of their greatest artistic triumph with the aid of several starring names, including Emmylou Harris, Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman. The set deservedly drew plaudits for a group about to enter the '90s with its enthusiasm still intact.