John McEuen

John McEuen is a co-founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, which formed in August, 1966 with a dream to get on the radio. With the NGDB, and his brother managing the nascent group, they did that - 7 months later - and now has played over 10,000 shows - (and 2500+ solo) flown 4 million miles to do it, and performed on over 300 (75 solo) television shows. At the end of the 50th NGDB anniversary tour, John left the group to fill the demand for his own shows and solo work.

His recent Made in Brooklyn album, on the prestigious Chesky Records, (with many star performers sitting in) was Stereophile Magazine's Record of the Month and was honored by Independent Music Awards with Best Americana Album.

One of his particular points of pride are performances on the Grand Ole Opry - featured numerous times solo, and as a guest with several other Opry member acts; he brought Steve Martin there in 2010 for the Opry debut of The Crow. One high point on the Opry was playing with sons Jonathan and Nathan (which they have done twice!) .

In 1971 John initiated what Rolling Stone called "the most important record to come out of Nashville", and what the 2004 ZAGAT survey called the "most important record in country music": Will the Circle Be Unbroken. Asking both Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson if they would record with the band, he had his brother Bill line up Merle Travis. This started the ball rolling and shortly Louise Scruggs then helped line up, at John and Bill's request, Jimmy Martin, Maybelle Carter, and Roy Acuff..Earl Scruggs secured Vassar Clements and Junior Huskey, and the NGDB went to Nashville in August of '71 to make what would become an historic album, released on United Artists Records in spring of 1972.

As a multi-instrumentalist (banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle) and solo entertainer, John McEuen plays to the boomer/'old hippie' crowd and the traditional/bluegrass and folk audience, as well as the older country audience... and now the younger group is showing up to see 'where it all came from'.

John has made over 40 albums (six solo) that have earned five platinum and six gold recognition awards, Grammy nominations and awards, CMA and ACM awards, Western Heritage Award, Emmy nominations, and IBMA record of the year award. In addition, John has performed on another 25 albums as guest artist. As 'a presenter', McEuen has produced over 250 concerts (his first one was Bob Dylan in 1965 at a long Beach high school).

John has known and worked with Steve Martin since high school years to the present. They both worked in Disneyland's Magic Shop as teenagers. John scored Steve's television specials, and arranged his music; in 2010, John's production of Steve's album The Crow - New Songs for the five-string banjo won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass album.

John's own XM Satellite radio show, Acoustic Traveller on The Bridge, runs six times a month and is in its 18th year.

McEuen created the music scores for 14 film/television projects, including the Emmy nominated 10-hour mini-series for Warner Bros. 'The Wild West.'

John has also raised his six kids (five boys and a girl) ages between 43-53, and a 39-year-old stepson.

Some of the artists John McEuen has performed or recorded with include: Dolly Parton, Steve Martin, Willie Nelson, Bill Wyman, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Jerry Garcia, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Phish, Jerry Jeff Walker, Kevin Nealon, Alison Krauss, Bill Cosby, Stephen Wright, Mark OConnor, Tommy Lee Jones, Sissy Spacek, Linda Ronstadt, Leon Russell, Maybelle Carter, Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Kenny Rogers, Steve Vai, Doc Watson, Jimmy Buffett, The Smothers Brothers, Rowan & Martin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bobby Sherman, Jose Feliciano, Allman Brothers, John Denver, Roy Acuff, Earl Scruggs, Jack Benny, Glen Campbell, Steve Goodman, Waylon Jennings, Robin Williams, Little River Band, Marshall Tucker Band, Doobie Brothers, Andy Williams, Merle Travis, Vassar Clements, Dizzy Gillespie, The Osmond Brothers, Everly Brothers, Crystal Gayle, Gary Morris, Doug Kershaw, Michael Martin Murphey, The Doors, Donovan, Lee Marvin, Ramblin Jack Elliot, David Amram, Arlo Guthrie, America, Bill Monroe, and Asleep at the Wheel and dozens more...

A large percentage of his performances now include multi-media, as he goes out as described below:

McEuen - brings his banjo, guitar, fiddle, and mandolin - to share his music and memories of his 55-year life in music. Covering the landmark Will the Circle Be Unbroken platinum album (initiated by John), and his career with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band together with his unique cast of Americana string wizards - The Circle Band.
With narrative and music of early years, co-founding member and multi-instrumentalist John takes us on his incredible journey - interwoven with favorites from his legacy, hot bluegrass, NGDB early hit classics (and rarely heard songs), Carter Family music. All in a multi-media presentation that features archival footage - and some new classics from his recent album on Chesky Records – Made in Brooklyn.
John was recently inducted in to the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame
check out www.johnmceuen.com

John McEuen banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, vocals
Les Thompson (also an original NGDB member) bass/vocals
other players on mandolin, guitar, fiddle.

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 The Grand Ole Opry Song
Blue Ridge Cabin Home Wildwood Flower

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

www.johnmceuen.com