In May of 2024, country rock legends The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will celebrate their 58th year performing with a two-night stop on The Island Showroom stage. Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of the great American bands featuring several original and historic members.  

It Began With Dylan

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band began in 1966 when a teenage Jeff Hanna heard Bob Dylan for the first time. That was all it took for him to lock himself into his bedroom and learn the picking pattern to “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.” 

It wouldn’t take long for Jeff to find like-minded music fans who would join him to become The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Among these was Jimmie Fadden, who still drums with the band today, and a yet-to-be-discovered singer/songwriter named Jackson Browne.

With so many talented members, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has amassed an impressive catalog over an expansive career that includes three Grammys. The band’s first single, back in 1967, was “Buy for Me the Rain,” which gained significant traction8 after the band appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. 

Since then, they’ve had numerous hit singles, such as “An American Dream,” “Fishing in the Dark” and their cover of “Mr. Bojangles.”

Over the years, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has recorded or shared the stage with nearly every major player in country and folk music. This includes Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, John Prine and Linda Ronstadt. 

Their banjo player, John McCuen, even taught a young comedian named Steve Martin how to play. Later, the two would share the stage when Saturday Night Live featured The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band as the musical guest. 

In 1977, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was the first American band to tour the Soviet Union, playing 28 sold-out shows.

Still Figuring Out How Not to Have to Work for a Living

Since day one, Jeff Hanna has been trying to figure out how not to work. Seems like he’s succeeded, and there have even been murmurings that he’s ready to retire from not working. 

Recently, life has come full circle, as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s latest record is a tribute to the artist who started it all, Bob Dylan. Dirt Does Dylan, released in 2022, is the band’s 25th studio record. To get ready for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, visit some tracks from that album along with fan favorites from the band’s career:

For more information, visit NittyGritty.com. 

How ‘Bout You and Me Go Fishin’ in the Dark of The Island Showroom

Cast your line and hook yourself tickets for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s ALL THE GOOD TIMES: The Farewell Tour. This promises to be a unique retrospective of American music from the past 50+ years. You won’t want to miss it.

Show Details

• Date: May 10th and 11th, 2024
• Time: 8:00 PM
• Location: Island Showroom
• Tickets start at $45.