John McEuen
and the Circle Band Will the Circle Be Unbroken A Nitty Gritty Dirt Band c0-founding member, McEuen has assembled a unique cast of friends he calls string wizards, for a special night to share the music and memories of his 50 years of performing with NGDB - and the landmark Will the Circle Be Unbroken platinum album (featured in episode 6 of Ken Burns - Country Music). His multi-media show’s archival photos, 8mm film, video, and Circle session photos, accompanied by John’s humorous narrative and music of early NGDB, takes us on his incredible 55-year journey - interwoven with radio hits, hot bluegrass, rare early NGDB music, and more. A unique part of the show covers the historic 1977 Russia trip (28 sold-out shows), and what happened to the first American band behind the Iron Curtain. The cast, stellar performers in their own right, includes: John McEuen banjo/guitar/fiddle/mandolin/vocals Les Thompson bass/vocals/bouzouki an NGDB founding member John Cable guitar/mandolin/vocals NGDB member in the ‘70’s Matt Cartsonis vocals/mandola/guitar 30 year music partner with John When John initiated the now famous Will the Circle Be Unbroken* record, the icons of Bluegrass, Country, and West coast country rock convened: Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Jimmy Martin, Roy Acuff, Bashful Brother Oswald, Vassar Clements, and Maybelle Carter. Six hot August 1971 days produced the benchmark record still relevant today (Amazon top-seller still!). All join host McEuen as they share, in front of the screen, hits and stories behind the music, leading up to that magic time when three generations came together. The Library of Congress inducted the multi-platinum ‘…Circle…’ as one of the most important American recordings (also, it’s in the Grammy Hall of Fame). The evening’s journey also showcases favorites from McEuen’s newest highly praised - Made in Brooklyn - on Chesky Records (Stereophile Magazine’s Record of the Month and Independent Music Awards Best Americana album). Audiences see the entire span of John’s years and styles in music as they are taken back through some of the best years of their lives. Songs may include: Mr. Bojangles Some of Shelly’s Blues Keep on the Sunny Side Will the Circle Be Unbroken Dance Little Jean Long Hard Road House at Pooh Corner Wreck on the Hiway Earl’s Breakdown Way Downtown Cannonball Rag Dismal Swamp I Saw the Light Acoustic Traveller Fingerbuster Buy for Me the Rain She Darked the Sun Wildwood Flower The Grand Ole Opry Song Blue Ridge Cabin Home Opus 36 *“One of the most important records to come out of Nashville...” Chet Flippo Rolling Stone McEuen was recently inducted in to the American Banjo Museum’s Hall of Fame
|