Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Randy Lynn Scruggs Rag

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country-folk-rock band that has existed in various forms since its founding in Long Beach, California in 1966. The group’s membership has had at least a dozen changes over the years, including a period from 1976 to 1981 when the band performed and recorded as the Dirt Band. Constant members since the early times are singer-guitarist Jeff Hanna and drummer Jimmie Fadden. Multi-instrumentalist John McEuen was with the band from 1966 to 1986 and returned during 2001. Keyboardist Bob Carpenter joined the band in 1977. The band is often cited as instrumental to the progression of contemporary country and roots music. The band’s successes include a cover version of Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Mr. Bojangles“. Albums include 1972’s Will the Circle be Unbroken, featuring such traditional country artists as Mother Maybelle Carter, Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, and Jimmy Martin. A follow-up album based on the same concept, Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two was released in 1989, was certified gold, won two Grammy Awards and was named Album of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards. The iconic and influential Nitty Gritty Dirt Band have recorded a number of top ten hits, including ’Fishin’ In The Dark,’ and ’Mr. Bojangles.’ The band has also achieved multiple awards and nominations for the Grammys, IBMA and CMA Awards. Recorded by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and released in 1985, their single ’High Horse’ reached number two on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. This performance of Randy Lynn Scruggs Rag was recorded live at Church Street Station in Orlando, Florida.