Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Biography
Founded in California during 1965, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has lasted longer than virtually any other country-based rock group of their era. Younger contemporaries of the Byrds, they played an almost equally important role in the transformation from folk-rock into country-rock, and were an influence on such bands as the Eagles and Alabama. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's beginnings lay with the New Coast Two, a folk duo consisting of Jeff Hanna (guitar, vocals) and Bruce Kunkel (guitar, washtub bass), formed while both were in high school in the early '60s. By the time the two were college students, they were having informal jams at a local guitar shop. It was there that they met Ralph Barr (guitar, washtub bass), Les Thompson (vocals, mandolin, bass, guitar, banjo, percussion), Jimmie Fadden (harmonica, vocals, drums, percussion), and Jackson Browne (guitar, vocals). This lineup became the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in late 1965, and began playing jug band music at local clubs. At that time, Southern California was undergoing a musical renaissance, courtesy of the folk-rock movement and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fit in with these other folkies-turned-rockers. Browne left after a few months to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by John McEuen (banjo, fiddle, mandolin, steel guitar, vocals), the younger brother of the group's new manager, Bill McEuen. With Bill McEuen's guidance, the group landed a recording contract with Liberty Records and released their debut album, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, in April of 1967. Their first single, "Buy for Me the Rain," became a modest hit and got the band some television appearances.. Founded in California during 1965, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has lasted longer than virtually any other country-based rock group of their era. Younger contemporaries of the Byrds, they played an almost equally important role in the transformation from folk-rock into country-rock, and were an influence on such bands as the Eagles and Alabama. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's beginnings lay with the New Coast Two, a folk duo consisting of Jeff Hanna (guitar, vocals) and Bruce Kunkel (guitar, washtub bass), formed while both were in high school in the early '60s. By the time the two were college students, they were having informal jams at a local guitar shop. It was there that they met Ralph Barr (guitar, washtub bass), Les Thompson (vocals, mandolin, bass, guitar, banjo, percussion), Jimmie Fadden (harmonica, vocals, drums, percussion), and Jackson Browne (guitar, vocals). This lineup became the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in late 1965, and began playing jug band music at local clubs. At that time, Southern California was undergoing a musical renaissance, courtesy of the folk-rock movement and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fit in with these other folkies-turned-rockers. Browne left after a few months to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by John McEuen (banjo, fiddle, mandolin, steel guitar, vocals), the younger brother of the group's new manager, Bill McEuen. With Bill McEuen's guidance, the group landed a recording contract with Liberty Records and released their debut album, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, in April of 1967. Their first single, "Buy for Me the Rain," became a modest hit and got the band some television appearances.
Top Albums |
1. Will the Cir..
| 2. More Great D..
| 3. Will the Cir..
| 4. Certified Hi..
| 5. Welcome to W..
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6. Rhino Hi-Fiv..
| 7. Partners, Br..
| 8. Under the Bi..
| 9. Dirt, Silver..
| 10. The Christma..
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11. Live Two Fiv..
| 12. Hold On
| 13. Plain Dirt F..
| 14. Will the Cir..
| 15. Best Of
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16. Super Hits
| 17. Workin' Band
| 18. Stars & ..
| 19. Uncle Charli..
| 20. Let's Go
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Top Songs |
| Name | Album | Time | Price | |
1. | Fishin' In the Dark | Fishin' In the Dark / K.. | 3:21 | $0.69 | |
2. | Fishin' In the Dark | Rhino Hi-Five: Nitty Gritty.. | 3:19 | $1.29 | |
3. | Mr. Bojangles | Certified Hits: Nitty Gritt.. | 3:35 | $1.29 | |
4. | Will the Circle Be Unbroken | Will the Circle Be Unbroken.. | 5:39 | $1.29 | |
5. | Fishin' In the Dark | More Great Dirt: The Best o.. | 3:19 | $1.29 | |
6. | American Dream | Certified Hits: Nitty Gritt.. | 3:35 | $1.29 | |
7. | Cadillac Ranch | More Great Dirt: The Best o.. | 3:42 | $1.29 | |
8. | Dance Little Jean | Certified Hits: Nitty Gritt.. | 3:14 | $1.29 | |
9. | Fishin' In the Dark | Under the Big Top, Vol. 1. .. | 3:32 | $0.99 | |
10. | Workin' Man (Nowhere to Go) | More Great Dirt: The Best o.. | 3:51 | $0.99 | |
11. | Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper'.. | Plain Dirt Fashion | 3:20 | $1.29 | |
12. | Amazing Grace | Will the Circle Be Unbroken.. | 1:50 | $0.99 | |
13. | Foggy Mountain Breakdown | Dirt, Silver & Gold | 2:35 | $1.29 | |
14. | Will the Circle Be Unbroken | Dirt, Silver & Gold | 4:50 | $1.29 | |
15. | Win Or Lose | Dirt, Silver & Gold | 3:35 | $1.29 | |
16. | Cosmic Cowboy (Part 1) | Dirt, Silver & Gold | 3:57 | $1.29 | |
17. | Bayou Jubilee/Sally Was a Goodun | Dirt, Silver & Gold | 3:02 | $1.29 | |
18. | Doc's Guitar | Dirt, Silver & Gold | 1:31 | $1.29 | |
19. | Bowleg's | Dirt, Silver & Gold | 4:13 | $1.29 | |
20. | Falling Down Slow | Dirt, Silver & Gold | 3:13 | $1.29 | |
21. | Mother Earth (Provides For Me) | Dirt, Silver & Gold | 3:25 | $1.29 | |
22. | Jamaica Lady | Dirt, Silver & Gold | 4:11 | $1.29 | |
23. | Rocky Top | Dirt, Silver & Gold | 2:12 | $1.29 | |
24. | (All I Have To Do Is) Dream | Dirt, Silver & Gold | 3:48 | $1.29 | |
25. | Battle of New Orleans | Dirt, Silver & Gold | 3:21 | $1.29 | |
Top Music Videos |
1. You Made Life...
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| 3. Will the Circ...
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