The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

US country folk rockers Nitty Gritty Dirt Band were formed in the 60s, they are best known for their version of "Mr Bojangles". The band have seen many line-up changes over the years, with detours into other musical styles. They still play today, forty years (plus) from their formation.

The band were formed by school mates, singer/guitarist Jeff Hanna and guitarist/washtub bass player Bruce Kunkel. They played as the New Coast Two, until they were joined by Ralph Barr (guitar, washtub bass), Les Thompson (vocals, mandolin, bass, guitar, banjo, percussion), Jimmie Fadden (harmonica, vocals, drums, percussion), and guitarist, Jackson Browne, who would go on to successful solo career. They became the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1965 and soon became part of the California folk rock scene. Their self-titled debut in 1967 was a moderate success, aided by "Buy for Me the Rain" but their follow-ups which were well received by critics, were not big sellers and the band folded for a few months. A new version of the band emerged, concentrating on a jug band sound, with a fusion of bluegrass, rock n' roll, country and pop. The new formula resulted in success, when their cover of "Mr Bojangles" made the top ten in 1971. The band went to Nashville to record Will the Circle be Unbroken which sold a million copies and drew widespread praise from the both country and mainstream music press. Despite their success, line-up changes left the band as a trio, and as the Dirt Band, they changed to more pop/rock sound. The three Dirt Band albums met mixed reviews and slow sales, and it was change again in 1983.

Back as The Nitty Gritty Band, they returned to a country sound, and the acoustic album Let's Go put them into the top 30 of the country charts. Subsequent 1980s releases sold steadily, but they received a boost again in 1989 when they recorded Will the Circle be Unbroken: Vol 2. They gathered together ex-band members and long list of special guests including Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins and Roger McGuinn to record the album, which won a Grammy and the Country Music Associations Album of the Year. The band has maintained a steady schedule of albums and still tours.