Tune In, Turn On
John McEuen, Grammy-winning, Emmy-nominated co-founder of the famed country/Americana ensemble Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, is coming to Lizzie Rose Music Room in Tuckerton on Thursday, June 12.
McEuen – a multi-instrumentalist who began playing the banjo at age 17 – is bringing with him another co-founding member of NGDB, Les Thompson (bass, mandolin, electric guitar). McEuen describes his journey through the ’60s to now, with funny stories and iconic music.
“It’s the stories behind the songs that bring them to life,” McEuen, 79 years young, told us in an email interview. “Come and enjoy a journey from when times were strange to when they were good.”
McEuen grew up as a Southern California high school student, thinking his teenage dream job in Disneyland’s Magic Shop (at age 16) was “as good as it gets.” He and a friend, (eventual comedian/actor) Steve Martin, both got that job in 1963. Then, McEuen says, “music came along.”
After seeing Missouri-based bluegrass group The Dillards, John set full sail toward his new dreams: making magic with music, and getting played on the radio. Leaving Garden Grove, Calif. for Hollywood, the dream became a reality for McEuen more than he ever imagined it could.
Continually performing since 1964, John joined Les Thompson in 1966 and they formed the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – a relationship that would last 50 years and over 11,000 concerts, 300 television shows, and 10,000 interviews (let those numbers sink in for a moment)!
In 1971, John initiated NGDB’s landmark “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” album by asking musical mentors Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson to record with the group. John’s brother Bill McEuen (manager, record producer), invited guitarist Merle Travis into the fold.
It grew, with Earl’s help, to inviting “Mother” Maybelle Carter, Jimmy Martin, Roy Acuff, Bashful Brother Oswald, Vassar Clements, and Norman Blake to a Nashville studio, hooking them up with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for five magical, hot August days of recording. The now multi-platinum “Circle” is honored both by the Library of Congress and the Grammy Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone’s Chet Flippo called the record, “one of the most important records to come out of Nashville.”
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2015. In addition to John’s numerous solo accolades, McEuen (banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, piano, dulcimer), recognized as a founding band member and outstanding performer, departed NGDB at the end of the group’s 50th anniversary tour in October, 2017.
McEuen has recorded more than 45 albums (seven solo) that have earned CMA and ACM awards, an Emmy-nomination film score, IBMA Record of the Year award, five platinum and six gold records, multiple Grammy Awards and nominations, and performed on another 25 albums as guest artist.
McEuen’s production of Steve Martin’s “The Crow” won a Grammy in 2010 for Best Bluegrass Album. In 2009, McEuen was inducted into the Traditional Country Music Hall of Honor. He also has produced award-winning projects for several other artists. In 2017, fittingly, he was inducted into the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame.
Tune Ups: Memories goes live: Memories in Margate is now presenting live music, and they’ve booked some top-tier talent, including fast-rising N.J. rockers Fat Mezz (June 7) and the king of rock cover acts, LeCompt, on both July 4 and July 25.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
