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Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

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Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Tickets

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Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 542 reviews

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About

Many veteran bands trade on nostalgia, on replication of past glories, and on recycled emotions from younger, more carefree days.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band trades on a mix of reimagined classics and compelling newer works. The group formed in 1966 as a Long Beach, California jug band, scored its first charting single in 1967, and embarked on a self-propelled ride through folk, country, rock 'n' roll, pop, bluegrass, and the amalgam now known as "Americana." The first major hit came in 1971 with the epic "Mr. Bojangles," which, along with insistent support from banjo master Earl Scruggs, opened doors in Nashville. Behind those doors were Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Mother Maybelle Carter, Jimmy Martin, and others who would collaborate on a multi-artist, multi-generational, three-disc 1972 masterpiece: Will the Circle Be Unbroken went triple Platinum, spawned two later volumes, and wound up in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Was this a cutting-edge combo or a group of revivalists? Was the goal rebellion or musical piety? Yes, to all these things. In the 1980s, the Dirt Band reeled off 15 straight Top 10 country hits, including chart-toppers "Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream)," "Modern Day Romance," and "Fishin' in the Dark (co-written by Jim Photoglo, who would join the band in the second decade of the new century). 1989 brought a second Circle album, this one featuring singer-songwriter talents including John Prine, Rosanne Cash, and John Hiatt and garnering two Grammy awards for the band (it later won another, for a collaboration with Earl Scruggs and other fine folks). Circle II also won the Country Music Association's Album of the Year prize. Circle III was released in 2003, featuring collaborations with Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, Emmylou Harris, Taj Mahal, and more.

Throughout the group's lifetime, personnel has changed, with each change resulting in positive steps forward, new ways of playing the old songs, and renewed enthusiasm for writing and recording fresh material. The latest Dirt Band lineup is expanded to six members for the first time since 1968. Today's group consists of founding member Jeff Hanna, harp master Jimmie Fadden (who joined in 1966), and soulful-voiced Bob Carpenter, who has more than 40 years of service in the ensemble. Those veterans are now joined by singer-songwriter-bass man Jim Photoglo, fiddle and mandolin wizard Ross Holmes, and Hanna's son, the preternaturally talented singer and guitarist Jaime Hanna.

Blood harmony, thrilling instrumental flights, undeniable stage chemistry...these things are part of each Dirt Band show, just as they are part of Dirt Does Dylan, the first recording from the reconfigured, six-strong group. Produced by Ray Kennedy and Jeff Hanna, it's a remarkable ride through some of the most impactful songs of the past century, penned by Bob Dylan and taken for a blue highway spin by a great American band, with help from genius-level contemporary artists like Jason Isbell and The War and Treaty.

A Dirt Band show is unlike any other. For legions of fans, it's less about the memories than the moment, crisp as an Autumn apple and rich as a royal flush.

Reviews

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 542 reviews
  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dirt band

    by Dave on 10/23/23Neptune Theatre - Seattle

    Great show. Fun venue. Really enjoyed the evening.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Fantastic Evening with NGD Band

    by PSMills on 9/19/23Lexington Opera House - Lexington

    This band performs old familiar tunes as well as newer pieces with great energy! It was a delightful evening in a great venue - the Lexington Opera House. The band members are wonderful musicians and their voices are still good after all these years. Jaime and Ross are newer additions to the group who are fabulous. We really enjoyed the show!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Still putting on a great show!

    by Stephen on 9/18/23Lexington Opera House - Lexington

    These guys (at least most of the band) has been doing this a very long time and are stilling doing it very well. Two newer members are great additions; an awesome fiddle player and lead singer's son who has a great voice and can play, too. Loved his rendition from "Dirt does Dylan". Enjoyed the variety of music. Great show!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    A great show! Worth the wait.

    by Mark 312 on 9/17/23Lexington Opera House - Lexington

    In addition to their own songs including Mr Bojangles, fishing in the dark, and American Dream, they did songs by Bob Dylan, John Prine, Hank Williams, The Band, and others. Three other band members besides lead singer Jeff Hanna took their turn at singing a lead on a song and there were several Harmony vocal Parts performed throughout the evening. Every member did an outstanding job on his instrument.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Excellent concert!!

    by Roni on 9/17/23Lexington Opera House - Lexington

    Don’t underestimate the NGDB! I loved everything about this concert. The musical talent in this band is truly impressive. I enjoyed every song. Moreover, Jeff Hanna’s son, Jaime, who is a part of the band now, is a spectacular talent!! Great time!!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Excellent!

    by LW on 9/17/23Lexington Opera House - Lexington

    NGDB was excellent! Musicianship, vocals, engagement with audience, the whole package. VERY enjoyable and hope to see them again!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Always a great show

    by Ron on 9/7/23Ameristar Casino and Hotel - Kansas City

    I’ve seen the Dirt Band many many times through the years, starting in the early 70’s at Cowtown Ballroom…..they never fail to put on a great show.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Terrific

    by Gerry on 8/10/23

    This was a terrific concert. Better than I was ever expecting. NGDB are supremely talented group of musicians. Thank you for presenting this event. I would go again in a heartbeat!!!!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Nitty Gritty Diet Band

    by Marilyn & Don on 8/8/23

    Excellent concert. Band played 1.5 Hours. Great accoustics in Foxwoods great cedar lodge. Seats we're amazing. Great value. We'd go again. Father and son singing so cool. Band still had their voices not too old to tour. Drummer and harmonica same time... Awesome.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Fantastic! Will see them again!

    by Fantastic! on 8/8/23

    Real good show; very entertaining. They had good repport with audience.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    A great concert and band!

    by Shaun M. on 8/8/23

    The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band started right on time and they gave an excellent show. The band played most of their favorites, though my daughter, being a huge Winnie the Pooh fan, was hoping they would do the "House at Pooh Corner"song. They took a request from the audience during the encore, which I thought was great as so many bands have a set list and don't deviate from it. After the concert, the two original members stayed on stage signing autographs, taking pictures, and answering questions. My daughter went down to ask about the Pooh song and spoke to Jeff Fadden about why they didn't play it. He said they have not done that song in over twenty years. Maybe they will start doing it again. It was so nice that they stayed around like that for quite a while. I was very impressed with them, and so was my daughter (absent the missing song she wanted to hear).

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Excellent

    by Cathy on 8/8/23

    The musicianship of this band is astounding. Vocals from every member were gorgeous. They played a masterful show.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great!

    by MC on 8/8/23

    The band is still phenomenally talented! The venue was excellent!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome! Simpy Awesome!

    by imacfrog on 8/8/23

    The venue at Foxwood's Casino and Resort is fantastic but truthfully The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band could have been playing in a barn and the concert would have been nothing less than fabulous! The musicianship, connection with the audience, and their extensive body of work just made for an enjoyable and enriching evening! My only regret is that they played for only an hour and a half! There were many songs I would have loved to hear but it will just make me want to see them again that much more!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome

    by sadie on 8/8/23

    Did not disappoint. Show was fabulous. We thorougly enjoyed ourselves. Would go again.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great show

    by Maggie on 8/8/23

    Very organized, and the show was great getting in and out.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great Show with One of the BEST

    by Kerry on 8/8/23

    As usual, the Dirt put on a great show with a wonderful mix of their repertoire. Classic and contemporary music done as only the Dirt can do it! My second time seeing them and they just don't disappoint! In a word: BRAVO!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome Night Despite...

    by MrsP2 on 8/7/23

    First outside concert at Seneca Allegany. Seats in 204 were the pits. The smokers in section 100 were right in front of us and lit people to our right yakked through the opening band. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was worth the aggravation. Too bad the crowd was sparse. The weather was perfect.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    What a Band!

    by dkm OF ROCHESTER on 8/7/23

    First off, I was disappointed the concert was outside. I thought is was to be an inside Casino theatre type room with nice plush seats and great acoustics. Instead hard plastic cheap seats outside with ok acoustics. I was in second row. the warm up act.....1000 Horses was good. Kind of a mix between Lynyrd Skynyrd and country pop. Real nice slide guitar and a good start to the night. NGDB came out and played great. So many hits, so little time. Loved them all. Cosmic Cowboy, Honky Tonkin, Ripplin Waters and of course Mr Bojangles were highlights. Best Orange Blossom special I have heard played. Great musicians...all around. Jimmie's harmonica is fantastic. Lots of bugs in the air as night descended on us. Great encore. What a Band! Please come to Rochester.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Still a great band!

    by Keke on 7/12/23

    So many sing along songs. You know them all. Jeff stayed on stage for the entire concert. Each band member has such talent. I would love to see them again!