Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country rock band that was formed in 1966 and has released more than 30 albums. In addition to country , her music also contains folk rock and pop elements and has won four Grammy Awards.
Beginnings
In May 1966 Jeff Hanna, Bruce Kunkel, Jimmie Fadden, Jackson Browne , Les Thompson and Ralph Barr met regularly at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Long Beach , California and decided to start a band. After a few live performances, the band received a record deal; the debut LP Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and the follow-up LP Ricochet came out in 1967; the single Buy for Me the Rain made it into the US top 40 on the pop charts . The band first appeared on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show .
Career
From 1967 to 1968 the band recorded the albums Rare Junk and Alive and lived in the Whitman National Forest in Oregon for four months to take part in the filming of the western Westward Pulls the Wind with Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin . They supported Bill Cosby at Carnegie Hall and held jam sessions with Dizzy Gillespie .
In 1969 the band went to Colorado to record the albums Uncle Charlie (1970) and All the Good Times (1971). Instead of Barr, Kunkel and Browne, John McEuen and Jimmy Ibbotson were on board. The single Mr. Bojangles was released in the top 10 of the pop charts.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken
In 1971 the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band dared to step away from folk rock and went to Nashville for a recording session . The country music industry there initially resisted their attempt to mix traditional acoustic sound with rock elements. The band eventually renounced electric instruments and invited numerous well-known bluegrass and country artists such as Earl Scruggs , Maybelle Carter , Merle Travis and Roy Acuff as guest musicians. In six days they recorded 33 tracks that appeared on the triple LP Will the Circle Be Unbroken in 1972 . Despite its size, the album was bestseller, nominated for two Grammys , and went platinum. Singer John McEuen saw one reason for the success in this: “With the 'Circle' album, there was no comment about Republicans or Democrats or hippies or rednecks or longhairs or the Vietnam War. None of that came into play; the album was simply a reflection of real good parts of Americana ” , as he said 30 years later when the anniversary edition of the album was released. The band went on tour, including in Japan .
In the first half of the 1970s they released other albums; their fans come from a wide variety of backgrounds: In 1974 the band played at a bluegrass festival before appearing in the opening act for the rock band Aerosmith the next day . In 1977 the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was allowed to perform as the first US band in the Soviet Union . A recording of their 30-day tour was followed by an estimated 145 million viewers on the local state television .
In 1977 pianist Bob Carpenter joined The Dirt Band , as it was called in the meantime, the line-up of which has changed slightly over the years. The sound now clearly went in the direction of country pop , like the song American Dream with Linda Ronstadt from 1979, which landed at number 13 on the pop charts. They continued to publish albums on a regular basis, but made a name for themselves with live performances, for example at the opening ceremony of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles or on their second tour of the USSR a year later.
Further chart successes
In 1985 the band had their first number one title in the country charts with Long Hard Road , in 1986 John McEuen left the band and in 1987 they were joined by former Eagles member Bernie Leadon . The band, which had since returned to their original band name, released their 19th LP Hold On with the two number one singles Fishin 'in the Dark and Baby's Got a Hold on Me . Many TV appearances and a European tour followed . The next LP Workin 'Band also contained three top 10 singles.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. II and III
In 1989 the band returned to Nashville to record the album Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. II with Hanna, Fadden, Ibbotson and Carpenter . The original guest musicians were joined by others such as Johnny Cash , Bruce Hornsby , John Hiatt , Roger McGuinn and Emmylou Harris . The album was not only commercially successful, but also earned the band two Grammys and the Country Music Award for "Album of the Year". In the 1990s, the band stayed true to country music, touring the US and releasing more records. In the late 90's the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band toured Canada , Japan and Europe extensively .
The success of the soundtrack for the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? - A Mississippi odyssey in 2000 again led to great demand for their first 'Circles' album. After re-mastering the original recordings, founding member John McEuen returned to his colleagues in 2001 after 14 years, and in 2002 they produced the album Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. III .
present
In late 2004, Jimmy Ibbotson left the band, and in the same year the group released Welcome to Woody Creek , their first studio album in five years. In 2005 the band received a Grammy for best country instrumental, Earl's Breakdown .
In 2005 the band contributed the song Soldier's Joy for the benefit CD Too Many Years to support Clear Path International , an initiative against the use of landmines and to support the victims. In October 2006 the band was honored for its 40th anniversary by the International Entertainment Buyers Association . In 2009 the album Speed of Life was released , with which the band went on tour in November of the same year.
In September 2015 Hanna, Fadden, Carpenter and McEuen recorded the anniversary CD / DVD Circlin 'Back - Celebrating 50 Years live at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. In the show, among others, were Vince Gill , Jerry Jeff Walker , Alison Krauss , Rodney Crowell and the former on Dirt Band members Jackson Browne and Jimmy Ibbotson. The album was released in 2016 for the 50th anniversary of the band and reached number one in the US bluegrass charts. In November 2017, John McEuen announced his departure from the band.
Discography
Studio albums
| year | Title music label |
Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, music label , placements, weeks, awards, notes) |
Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 US
|
Country
|
|||
| 1967 | The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Liberty 7501 |
US151 (8 weeks) US |
- | |
| Ricochet Liberty |
- | - | ||
| 1968 | Rare Junk Liberty |
- | - | |
| 1970 | Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy Liberty 7642 |
US66 (32 weeks) US |
- | |
| 1971 | All the Good Times United Artists 5553 |
US162 (10 weeks) US |
- | |
| 1972 | Will the Circle Be Unbroken United Artists 9801 [3] |
US68  (32 weeks)US |
Country4 (22 weeks) Country |
|
| 1974 | Stars & Stripes Forever United Artists 184 [2] |
US28 (21 weeks) US |
Country32 (11 weeks) Country |
Live album
|
| 1975 | Dream United Artists 469 |
US66 (9 weeks) US |
- | |
| 1978 | The Dirt Band United Artists 854 |
US163 (6 weeks) US |
- |
as The Dirt Band
|
| 1979 | An American Dream United Artists 974 |
US76 (14 weeks) US |
- |
as The Dirt Band
|
| 1980 | Make a Little Magic United Artists 1042 |
US62 (16 weeks) US |
- |
as The Dirt Band
|
| 1981 | Jealousy liberty 1106 |
US102 (9 weeks) US |
- |
as The Dirt Band
|
| 1983 | Let's Go Liberty |
- |
Country26 (31 weeks) Country |
|
| 1984 | Plain Dirt Fashion Warner Bros. |
- |
Country8 (50 weeks) Country |
|
| 1985 | Partners, Brothers and Friends Warner Bros. |
- |
Country9 (46 weeks) Country |
|
| 1987 | Hold On Warner Bros. |
- |
Country14 (54 weeks) Country |
|
| 1988 | Workin 'Band Warner Bros. |
- |
Country33 (18 weeks) Country |
|
| 1989 | Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two Universal 12500 [2] |
US95 (12 weeks) US |
Country5 (53 weeks) Country |
CA:
 gold
|
| 1990 | The Rest of the Dream MCA |
- |
Country53 (16 weeks) Country |
|
| 1992 | Not Fade Away Liberty |
- | - | |
| 1994 | Acoustic Liberty |
- | - | |
| 1997 | The Christmas Album Rising Tide |
- | - | |
| 1999 | Bang, bang, bang DreamWorks |
- | - | |
| 2002 | Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Three Capitol 40177 [2] |
US134 (5 weeks) US |
Country18 (28 weeks) Country |
|
| 2004 | Welcome to Woody Creek Dualtone |
- | - | |
| 2009 | Speed of Life NGDB |
- |
Country59 (4 weeks) Country |
|
| 2017 | Anthology Capitol |
- | - | |
Live albums
| year | Title music label |
Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, music label , placements, weeks, awards, notes) |
Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US
|
Country
|
|||
| 1969 | Alive Liberty |
- | - | |
| 1991 | Live Two Five Capitol |
- |
Country50 (7 weeks) Country |
|
| 2016 | Circlin 'Back - Celebrating 50 Years Warner Bros. |
- |
Country11 (4 weeks) Country |
|
Compilations
| year | Title music label |
Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, music label , placements, weeks, awards, notes) |
Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US
|
Country
|
|||
| 1976 | Dirt, Silver and Gold United Artists 670 [3] |
US77 (13 weeks) US |
Country28 (7 weeks) Country |
|
| 1986 | Twenty Years of Dirt Warner Bros. |
US- |
Country10 (40 weeks) Country |
|
| 1989 | More Great Dirt Warner Bros. |
US- |
Country38 (15 weeks) Country |
|
| 1990 | Greatest Hits Curb |
US- |
- | |
Singles
| year | Title album |
Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, album , rankings, weeks, awards, notes) |
Remarks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 AT
|
US
|
Country
|
|||
| 1967 | Buy for Me the Rain The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band |
- |
US45 (7 weeks) US |
- | |
| 1970 |
Mr. Bojangles Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy |
- |
US9 (19 weeks) US |
- |
Author: Jerry Jeff Walker
|
| 1971 | House at Pooh Corner Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy |
- |
US53 (13 weeks) US |
- |
Author: Kenny Loggins
|
| Some of Shelly's Blues Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy |
- |
US64 (8 weeks) US |
- |
Author: Michael Nesmith ; First published: 1969
|
|
| I Saw the Light Will the Circle Be Unbroken |
- | - |
Country56 (6 weeks) Country |
with Roy Acuff
|
|
| 1972 |
Jambalaya (On the Bayou) All the Good Times |
- |
US84 (3 weeks) US |
- |
Original / Author: Hank Williams (1952)
|
| 1973 | Grand Ole Opry Song Will the Circle Be Unbroken |
- | - |
Country97 (2 weeks) Country |
with Jimmy Martin
|
| 1974 | Battle of New Orleans Stars & Stripes Forever |
- |
US72 (4 weeks) US |
- |
Author: Jimmie Driftwood
|
| 1975 |
(All I Have to Do Is) Dream Dream |
- |
US66 (6 weeks) US |
Country79 (7 weeks) Country |
Original: Everly Brothers (1958)
|
| 1978 | In for the Night The Dirt Band |
- |
US86 (3 weeks) US |
- |
as The Dirt Band
|
| 1979 | An American Dream An American Dream |
AT12 (8 weeks) AT |
US13 (19 weeks) US |
- |
as The Dirt Band ; with Linda Ronstadt
|
| 1980 | Make a Little Magic Make a Little Magic |
- |
US25 (16 weeks) US |
- |
as The Dirt Band ; with Nicolette Larson
|
| 1981 | Fire in the Sky Jealousy |
- |
US76 (4 weeks) US |
Country7 (20 weeks) Country |
as The Dirt Band
only in 1987 in the country charts |
| 1983 | Shot Full of Love Let's Go |
- | - |
Country19 (18 weeks) Country |
|
| Dance Little Jean Let's Go |
- | - |
Country9 (23 weeks) Country |
||
| Colorado Christmas A Christmas Tradition |
- | - |
Country93 (2 weeks) Country |
||
| 1984 | Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream) Plain Dirt Fashion |
- | - |
Country1 (20 weeks) Country |
|
| I Love Only You Plain Dirt Fashion |
- | - |
Country3 (24 weeks) Country |
||
| 1985 | High horse plain dirt fashion |
- | - |
Country2 (20 weeks) Country |
|
| Modern Day Romance Partners, Brothers and Friends |
- | - |
Country1 (21 weeks) Country |
||
| Home Again in My Heart Partners, Brothers and Friends |
- | - |
Country3 (21 weeks) Country |
||
| 1986 | Partners, Brothers & Friends Partners, Brothers and Friends |
- | - |
Country6 (19 weeks) Country |
|
| Stand a Little Rain Twenty Years of Dirt |
- | - |
Country5 (21 weeks) Country |
||
| 1987 | Baby's Got a Hold on Me Hold On |
- | - |
Country2 (17 weeks) Country |
|
| Fishin 'in the Dark Hold On |
- |
US- |
Country1 (23 weeks) Country |
||
| Oh what a love hold on |
- | - |
Country5 (22 weeks) Country |
||
| 1988 | Workin 'Man (Nowhere to Go) Workin' Band |
- | - |
Country4 (18 weeks) Country |
|
| I've Been Lookin ' Workin' Band |
- | - |
Country2 (22 weeks) Country |
||
| Down That Road Tonight Workin 'Band |
- | - |
Country6 (20 weeks) Country |
||
| 1989 | Turn of the Century Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two |
- | - |
Country27 (15 weeks) Country |
|
| And so It Goes Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two |
- | - |
Country14 (23 weeks) Country |
||
| When It's Gone Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two |
- | - |
Country10 (26 weeks) Country |
||
| 1990 | One Step Over the Line Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two |
- | - |
Country63 (6 weeks) Country |
with Rosanne Cash & John Hiatt
|
| From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come) The Rest of the Dream |
- | - |
Country65 (9 weeks) Country |
Author: Bruce Springsteen
|
|
| You Made Life Good Again The Rest of the Dream |
- | - |
Country60 (19 weeks) Country |
||
| 1992 |
I Fought the Law Not Fade Away |
- | - |
Country66 (3 weeks) Country |
Author: Sonny Curtis
|
| One Good Love Not Fade Away |
- | - |
Country74 (2 weeks) Country |
||
| 1998 | Bang bang bang bang, bang, bang |
- | - |
Country52 (14 weeks) Country |
|
gray hatching : no chart data available for this year
More singles
- 1967: Truly Right
- 1968: Collegiana
- 1969: Some of Shelly's Blues
- 1970: Rave On
- 1972: Baltimore
- 1972: Jamaica (Say You Will)
- 1972: Honky Tonkin '
- 1973: Cosmic Cowboy - Part 1
- 1973: Tennessee Stud (with Doc Watson )
- 1975: Mother of Love
- 1976: Jamaica Lady
- 1976: Mother Earth (Provides For Me)
- 1978: For A Little While
- 1979: In Her Eyes
- 1980: Badlands
- 1980: High School Yearbook
- 1981: Jealousy
- 1981: Too Close For Comfort
- 1990: The Rest of the Dream
- 1991: Cadillac Ranch
- 1993: Little Angel
- 1994: Cupid's Got a Gun
- 1996: Maybe Baby
Awards
- 1989 - CMA Award for "Will the Circle Be Unbroken Vol. II" as "Album of the Year"
- 1989 - Grammys for "Will The Circle Be Unbroken Vol. 2" as "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals" and "The Valley Road" as "Best Bluegrass Recording" and "Co-producing Best Country Instrumental"
- 2004 - Grammy for "Earl's Breakdown" as "Best Country Instrumental" (with Earl Scruggs , Randy Scruggs , Jerry Douglas and Vassar Clements )
- 2015 - Induced into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame
Web links
- Website of the band
- The Dirt Band at Music VF
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Chart sources: AT US
- ↑ a b c d Billboard Pop Hits Singles & Albums 1940-1954 by Joel Whitburn , 6th Edition, Record Research 2002, ISBN 978-0-89820-198-7 .
- ↑ Music Sales Awards: US
- ↑ http://www.cmt.com/cma-awards/1989.jhtml , accessed on January 23, 2018
- ↑ Winners 32nd Annual GRAMMY Awards (1989) , accessed January 23, 2018
- ^ Winners 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards (2004) , accessed January 23, 2018
- ↑ https://cmhof.org/inductees/nitty-gritty-dirt-band/ , accessed on January 23, 2018