The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Will the Circle Be Unbroken
On this episode we talk about the historic seventh studio album by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band,Will the Circle Be Unbroken.
Having proved their worth with a hit cover of the Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mister Bojangles," the Dirt Band and were given the go ahead to work on an unusual yet inspired project: an album of old county and bluegrass tunes where the Dirt band would act as a supporting a cast for several legendary bluegrass and country artists, such as Roy Acuff, Mother Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Merle Travis, and Jimmy Martin, to name a few, allowing them to be the real stars. The songs were performed live, and often in one or two takes, giving the album immediacy and warmth.
Released in November 1972, the album bridged the generational and musical gap between the old guard of Nashville and the burgeoning country rock scene of the early 1970's and was an unlikely, yet huge success
Recommended on this Episode: High Noon Hymns by the Long Ryders.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band circa 1971.
Pictured (L to R) Jimmie Fadden, Jeff Hanna, Jimmy Ibbotson, John McEuen, and Les Thompson.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band circa 1966.
Jackson Browne (2nd from left) was briefly a member of the band. They would make a habit of recording at least one of his songs on several of their early albums.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band appeared in the 1969 musical film Paint Your Wagon, starring Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood. They performed the track "Hand Me Down That Can O' Beans" in the film.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band performing the Jerry Jeff Walker classic “Mr. Bojangles” on TV in 1970.
Mother Maybelle Carter (L) talks with Jeff Hanna. That’s Merle Travis in the background.
John McEuen and Earl Scruggs.
Picture is John McEuen, Steve Martin and Jerry Garcia jamming at the Golden Gate Bluegrass Festival in 1974.
McEuen and Martin had known each other since high school and McEuen taught Martin the banjo.
Steve Martin performs "King Tut” on Saturday Night Live in May 1978. Members of the Dirt Band members backed Martin on his recording under the name “The Toot Uncommons”.
