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 days in August of 1971 days produced the benchmark record that is relevant to this day.

For tonight's special Old Town School performance, McEuen has assembled a unique cast including Chicago roots music favorites singer-songwriter Jodee Lewis and banjo great Michael Miles. In addition tonight's concert is a multi-media show with archival photographs, film, Circle session photos, narrative and music of early NGDB (including 8mm footage from 1967) taking the audience along on their incredible journey - interwoven with Dirt Band favorites, hot bluegrass, rarely heard early NGDB, and early, Carter Family music.

A unique part of the show covers NGDB's 1977 Russia trip, and what happened behind the Iron Curtain for the first American band to tour there. The cast, all stellar musicians in their own right, includes: Les Thompson, an original founding member of NGDB, on bass and vocals, John Cable who toured Russia as a NGDB member, on guitar and vocals, and Matt Cartsonis, a 20 year music partner with John, on vocals, mandola, and guitar.

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…” - Rolling Stone

http://www.johnmceuen.com/