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John McEuen & Friends

John McEuen & Friends present: Will the Circle Be Unbroken

McEuen has now assembled a unique cast of string wizards to share the music and memories of the landmark Will the Circle Be Unbroken album and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s incredible career. Music of early NGDB takes us on their incredible journey – interwoven with Nitty Gritty favorites, hot bluegrass, rarely heard NGDB early classics, Carter Family music – and some new music from his album on Chesky Records – Made in Brooklyn.

When the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded their landmark 1972 release, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, initiated by John McEuen (a founding member), they convened the biggest names in Bluegrass and Country: Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Jimmy Martin, Earl Scruggs, Vassar Clements, and Maybelle Carter. Six August 1971 days produced the benchmark record that is relevant to this day (still an Amazon top seller!).

A special part of the program covers the NGDB’s 1977 Russia trip, and what happened behind the Iron Curtain for the first American band to tour there.

Les Thompson bass and vocals an original founding member of NGDB

John Cable guitar/vocals also toured Russia as NGDB member.

Matt Cartsonis vocals/mandola/guitar great singer, film composer

All join host John McEuen (with his banjo, guitar, fiddle and mandolin) as they share this magic time, when three generations came together, genres merged (in 2004 The Library of Congress inducted the now multi-platinum Circle album as one of the most important American recordings) and came to life.

The evening’s journey leads to McEuen’s new highly praised record – Made in Brooklyn – on Chesky Records. Closing the evening with encores of music from the new album, the audience will have seen the entire span of John McEuen’s 50 years in music and been taken back through some of the best years of their lives.

“One of the most important records to come out of Nashville…” Chet Flippo, Rolling Stone

Music this evening includes : Mr. Bojangles – Some of Shelly’e Blues – I Saw the Light –

Dance Little Jean – Will the Circle Be Unbroken –

Video

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