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NGDB in 1976

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (NGDB) is an American country rock band from Long Beach, California. Formed in October 1965, the group was originally a jug band featuring guitarist and vocalist Jeff Hanna, guitarists Bruce Kunkel, Ralph Barr and Dave Hanna, bassist and guitarist Les Thompson, and drummer Glen Grosclose. The current lineup of the band features Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden on drums, harmonica and vocals (since 1966), Bob Carpenter on keyboards and vocals (since 1979), Jim Photoglo on bass and guitar (since 2005), Jaime Hanna on guitar and vocals, and Ross Holmes on mandolin and fiddle (both since 2018).

History

1965–1982

The NGDB evolved from the Illegitimate Jug Band in late 1965, with the original lineup featuring Jeff Hanna, Bruce Kunkel, Ralph Barr, Les Thompson, Dave Hanna and Glen Grosclose. [1] By February 1966, Dave Hanna and Grosclose had left, with their places taken by Jackson Browne and Jimmie Fadden. [1] Browne remained only until July, when he left to start a solo career. [2] He was replaced the following month by John McEuen, who played banjo, mandolin, guitar and fiddle. [3] After the release of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Ricochet, Kunkel left the NGDB in December 1967 and was replaced by Chris Darrow, formerly of Kaleidoscope. [4] Darrow contributed to the studio album Rare Junk and the live release Alive!, before the band went on hiatus at the end of 1968. [5]

Six months later, the band returned with Jimmy Ibbotson in place of Darrow. [5] Three albums followed – Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy, All the Good Times and Will the Circle Be Unbroken – before the group was reduced to a quartet when Thompson departed in late 1973. [6] By mid-1976, Ibbotson had also left and new members John Cable (guitar, bass, vocals) and Jackie Clark (bass, guitar, keyboards) had joined the group, whose name had been shortened to simply the Dirt Band. [7] Around a month after returning home following a string of shows in the Soviet Union, Clark left the Dirt Band and Cable was dismissed by Hanna. [8] Hanna, Fadden and McEuen then rebuilt the band with the addition of bassist Richard Hathaway, saxophonist Al Garth and drummer Merel Bregante. [9]

The Dirt Band went through a succession of drummers during its tenure – by the summer of 1979, Bregante had been replaced by Mike Buono, [10] former Jimmy Buffett drummer Michael Gardner took over from Buono in May 1980, [11] and the following year saw Vic Mastrianni take over the position. [12] After contributing to The Dirt Band and An American Dream as a guest session contributor, keyboardist Bob Carpenter officially joined the group in 1979. [13] Jealousy followed in 1981, after which Garth also left and was replaced briefly by Bryan Savage. [14]

1982 onwards

By 1982, Jimmy Ibbotson had returned and the Dirt Band had reverted to its original name of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. [5] As a five-piece, the group released four studio albums in four years, before McEuen left in January 1987 to focus on his family. [15] He was replaced in March by former Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon, [16] although he only remained until the following July, when he left to focus on his solo career. [17] The NGDB remained a four-piece for the following 13 years, before McEuen rejoined for a run of reunion shows starting in July 2001. [18] The return of McEuen was later made official for a new album and resulting tours. [19] After the tour for 2004's Welcome to Woody Creek, the group returned to a four-piece again when Ibbotson left for a second time. [20]

In May 2016, Jim Photoglo joined the NGDB in time for the group's 50th anniversary tour. [21] McEuen left for a second time in October 2017, claiming an "ongoing difference of opinions" with other members. [22] For tour dates the following year, the remaining four members were joined by Hanna's son Jaime on guitar and vocals, and Ross Holmes on fiddle, mandolin and vocals. [23]

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
In the studio from left to right.John Mceuen Tim Cooney Rodney Dillard Ricky Scaggs Jeff Hanna and Randy Scruggs.jpg
Jeff Hanna 1965–present
  • vocals
  • guitars
  • washboard
  • percussion
  • mandolin (until 1967)
  • drums (1967–77)
all Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (NGDB) releases
Jimmie Fadden 1966–present
  • drums
  • harmonica
  • vocals
  • guitars (until 1977)
  • washtub bass, jug (until 1968)
Bob Carpenter 1979–present (session 1977–79)
  • keyboards
  • accordion
  • keyboard bass
  • vocals
all NGDB releases from The Dirt Band (1978) onwards
Jim Photoglo 2016–present
  • bass
  • guitars
  • vocals
none as yet – live performances only
Jaime Hanna 2018–present
  • guitars
  • vocals
Ross Holmes
  • fiddle
  • mandolin
  • vocals

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Les Thompson 1965–1973
  • bass
  • guitars
  • mandolin
  • percussion
  • banjo
  • vocals
all NGDB releases from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1967) to Symphonion Dream (1975)
Ralph Barr 1965–1968
  • guitars
  • clarinet
  • kazoo
  • washtub bass
  • vocals
Bruce Kunkel 1965–1967
  • guitars
  • washtub bass
  • kazoo
  • vocals
  • The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1967)
  • Ricochet (1967)
Dave Hanna 1965–1966
  • guitars
  • vocals
none – live performances only
Glen Grosclose drums
Jackson Browne-1980.jpg
Jackson Browne 1966
  • guitars
  • vocals
John McEuen at Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City.png
John McEuen
  • 1966–1987
  • 2001–2017
  • banjo
  • mandolin
  • guitars
  • vocals
  • fiddle (1974–86)
  • keyboards (until 1968)
Chris Darrow 1967–1968 (died 2020)
  • guitars
  • mandolin
  • fiddle
  • bass
  • vocals
  • Rare Junk (1968)
  • Alive! (1969)
Jimmy Ibbotson
  • 1969–1976
  • 1982–2004
  • vocals
  • guitar
  • bass (from 1973)
  • mandolin (from 1982)
  • drums, keyboards (until 1976)
  • all NGDB releases from Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy (1970) to Symphonion Dream (1975), and from Let's Go (1983) to Welcome to Woody Creek (2004)
  • Circlin' Back: Celebrating 50 Years (2016)
John Cable 1976–1977
  • guitars
  • bass
  • vocals
Dirt, Silver and Gold (1976) – nine new recordings
Jackie Clark
  • bass
  • guitars
  • keyboards
Richard Hathaway 1977–1982
  • bass
  • percussion
  • vocals
all NDGB releases from The Dirt Band (1978) to Jealousy (1981)
Al Garth 1977–1981
  • saxophones
  • flute
  • fiddle
  • keyboards
  • percussion
  • recorder
  • guitars
  • vocals
Merel Bregante 1977–1979
  • drums
  • percussion
  • vocals
Michael Buono 1979–1980 drums none – live performances only
Michael Gardner 1980–1981
Vic Mastrianni 1981–1982
Bryan Savage
  • saxophones
  • flute
  • keyboards
  • percussion
Bernie Leadon.jpg
Bernie Leadon 1987–1988
  • banjo
  • guitars
  • mandolin
  • mandocello
  • vocals

Timeline

Lineups

Period Members Releases
October 1965 – February 1966
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, mandolin, washboard, kazoo, vocals
  • Bruce Kunkel – guitar, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals
  • Ralph Barr – guitar, clarinet, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals
  • Dave Hanna – guitar, vocals
  • Les Thompson – washtub bass, guitar, mandolin, kazoo, vocals
  • Glen Grosclose – drums
none – live performances only
February – July 1966
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, mandolin, washboard, kazoo, vocals
  • Bruce Kunkel – guitar, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals
  • Ralph Barr – guitar, clarinet, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals
  • Jackson Browne – guitar, vocals
  • Les Thompson – washtub bass, guitar, mandolin, kazoo, vocals
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, washtub bass, vocals
August 1966 – December 1967
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, mandolin, washboard, kazoo, vocals
  • Bruce Kunkel – guitar, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals
  • Ralph Barr – guitar, clarinet, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals
  • Les Thompson – washtub bass, guitar, mandolin, kazoo, vocals
  • John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, washtub bass
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, guitar, washtub bass, vocals
December 1967 – December 1968
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, drums, bass, vocals
  • Ralph Barr – guitar, clarinet, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals
  • Chris Darrow – guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass, vocals
  • Les Thompson – bass, guitar, mandolin, vocals
  • John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, keyboards
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, guitar, washtub bass, vocals
June 1969 – late 1973
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, drums, percussion, vocals
  • Jimmy Ibbotson – guitar, drums, keyboards, vocals
  • Les Thompson – bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals
  • John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, accordion
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, guitar, washtub bass, vocals
Late 1973 – May 1976
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, drums, percussion, vocals
  • Jimmy Ibbotson – bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, vocals
  • John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, accordion
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, guitar, percussion, vocals
May 1976 – summer 1977
(as The Dirt Band)
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, drums, percussion, vocals
  • John Cable – guitar, bass, vocals
  • Jackie Clark – bass, guitar, keyboards
  • John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, accordion
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, guitar, percussion, vocals
Late 1977 – summer 1979
(as The Dirt Band)
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals
  • Jimmie Fadden – guitar, harmonica, percussion, vocals
  • Richard Hathaway – bass, percussion, vocals
  • John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle
  • Al Garth – saxophone, fiddle, keyboards, percussion, vocals
  • Merel Bregante – drums, percussion, vocals
Summer 1979 – May 1980
(as The Dirt Band)
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals
  • Jimmie Fadden – guitar, harmonica, percussion, vocals
  • Richard Hathaway – bass, percussion, vocals
  • John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle
  • Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals
  • Al Garth – saxophone, fiddle, keyboards, percussion, vocals
  • Mike Buono – drums (touring member only)
none – live performances only
May 1980 – summer 1981
(as The Dirt Band)
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals
  • Jimmie Fadden – guitar, harmonica, percussion, vocals
  • Richard Hathaway – bass, percussion, vocals
  • John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle
  • Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals
  • Al Garth – saxophone, fiddle, keyboards, percussion, vocals
  • Michael Gardner – drums (touring member only)
Summer 1981 – 1982
(as The Dirt Band)
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals
  • Jimmie Fadden – guitar, harmonica, percussion, vocals
  • Richard Hathaway – bass, percussion, vocals
  • John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle
  • Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals
  • Bryan Savage – saxophone, flute, keyboards, percussion
  • Vic Mastrianni – drums (touring member only)
none – live performances only
1982 – January 1987
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals
  • Jimmy Ibbotson – bass, guitar, mandolin, percussion, vocals
  • John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals
  • Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals
March 1987 – July 1988
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals
  • Jimmy Ibbotson – bass, guitar, mandolin, percussion, vocals
  • Bernie Leadon – banjo, guitar, mandolin, vocals
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals
  • Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals
July 1988 – July 2001
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals
  • Jimmy Ibbotson – bass, guitar, mandolin, percussion, vocals
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals
  • Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals
July 2001 – late 2004
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals
  • Jimmy Ibbotson – bass, guitar, mandolin, percussion, vocals
  • John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals
  • Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals
Late 2004 – May 2016
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals
  • John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals
  • Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals
May 2016 – October 2017
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals
  • Jim Photoglo – bass, acoustic guitar, vocals
  • John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals
  • Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals
none – live performances only
October 2017 – May 2018
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals
  • Jim Photoglo – bass, acoustic guitar, vocals
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals
  • Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals
May 2018 – present
  • Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals
  • Jaime Hanna – guitar, vocals
  • Jim Photoglo – bass, acoustic guitar, vocals
  • Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals
  • Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals
  • Ross Holmes – fiddle, mandolin, vocals

References

  1. ^ a b "A Tree Grows In Aspen" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 86, no. 30. Los Angeles. July 27, 1974. p. 59. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  2. ^ Hinton, Brian (June 26, 2012). Country Roads: How Country Came to Nashville. London, England: Bobcat Books. p. 574. ISBN  978-0857128447. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  3. ^ Deming, Mark. "John McEuen: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  4. ^ "Dirt Band Drops Ork-Rock, Gets Back To Nitty Gritty" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 29, no. 21. New York City. December 16, 1967. p. 46. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c Eder, Bruce. "The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  6. ^ Mayer, Ira (February 2, 1974). "Country in New York" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 29, no. 1389. New York City. p. 57. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  7. ^ Mayer, Ira; Taylor, Barry (May 29, 1976). "New York, N.Y." (PDF). Record World. Vol. 31, no. 1510. New York City. p. 25. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  8. ^ McEuen, John (April 1, 2018). Life I've Picked: A Banjo Player's Nitty Gritty Journey. Chicago, Illinois: Chicago Review Press. p. 102. ISBN  978-1613738986. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  9. ^ Herbeck, Ray Jr. (July 8, 1978). "The Dirt Band, Le Roux, Roxy, Los Angeles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 90, no. 27. New York City. p. 40. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  10. ^ "'Dream' Makers" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 36, no. 1678. New York City. September 15, 1979. p. 83. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  11. ^ Rayl, Salley (June 2, 1980). "With Ronstadt's Help, the Old Nitty Gritty Band Returns to Pay Dirt with 'American Dream'". People. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  12. ^ Flans, Robyn (January 1983). "Up & Coming: Vic Mastrianni". Modern Drummer. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  13. ^ Oksenhorn, Stewart (July 22, 2013). "Still Gritty after all these years". Aspen Times. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  14. ^ "Bryan Savage Bio". Bryan Savage. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  15. ^ Bee, Katy (January 16, 1987). "Group Changes On Horizon" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 669. Los Angeles. p. 58. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  16. ^ "Leadon Strikes Pay Dirt" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 677. Los Angeles. March 13, 1987. p. 55. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  17. ^ Fennell, Debe (July 15, 1988). "Bits & Pieces" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 746. Los Angeles. p. 49. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  18. ^ "Country Beat: Billy Gilman, Hank Thompson, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band..." MTV. July 9, 2001. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  19. ^ Iwasaki, Scott (July 12, 2002). "Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: After a 15-year layoff, John McEuen rejoins for a new album, tour". Deseret News. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  20. ^ "Jim Ibbotson '69 Discusses Life After the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band". DePauw University. August 10, 2006. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  21. ^ Photoglo, Jim (May 8, 2016). "For the immediate future". Jim Photoglo. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  22. ^ McCarthy, Amy (October 30, 2017). "John McEuen Quits the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band". The Boot. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  23. ^ Moore, Shirelle (June 19, 2018). "Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Brings "American Dream" To Bemidji". Lakeland PBS. Retrieved November 25, 2019.

External links