The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is
an American country rock band
formed in 1966. The group has existed in various forms since its founding
in Long Beach, California. The band's membership has had at least a dozen
changes over the years, including a period from 1976 to 1981 when the band
performed and recorded as the Dirt Band. Constant members since the
early times are singer-guitarist Jeff Hanna and drummer Jimmie Fadden.
Multi-instrumentalist John McEuen was with
the band from 1966 to 1986 and returned during 2001, staying 16 years, then
departing again in November 2017. Keyboardist Bob Carpenter joined the band in
1977. The band is often cited as instrumental to the progression of
contemporary country and roots music. The band's successes include a cover version of Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mr. Bojangles".
Albums include 1972's Will the Circle be Unbroken, featuring such traditional
country artists 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 Be Unbroken: Volume Two was released in 1989, was
certified gold, won two Grammys, and was named Album of the Year at the Country Music Association
Awards.