Celebrating 50 years of ‘Dirt’
Their music is responsible for one of the most popular line dances ever created. Now with 50 years and a string of hits under their belts, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will add a stop in Lethbridge to their anniversary tour this fall.
They will play at the Enmax Centre on Saturday, Oct. 7. Tickets will go on sale Aug. 4 at 10 a.m.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is often cited as “a catalyst for an entire movement in Country Rock and American Roots Music.” Founded in Long Beach, Calif. in 1966, the band continues its journey by celebrating its golden anniversary on tour across North America.
The band has undergone several changes over the years, both in membership as well as a short period from 1976-81 where they recorded and performed as the Dirt Band.
Singer-guitarist Jeff Hanna and drummer Jimmie Fadden have been constant band members since the early years. Multi-instrumentalist John McEuen was with the band from 1966 to 1986 and returned during 2001, while keyboardist Bob Carpenter joined the band in 1977.
With several multi-platinum and gold records, some of their most noted top 10 hits include “Fishin’ In The Dark” and “Mr. Bojangles.” The band has received multiple Grammy, International Bluegrass Music Association, and Country Music Association awards and nominations.
Their 1972 album, “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” was inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress as well as the Grammy Hall of Fame. Their follow-up album, “Will The Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two” was released in 1989 and won two Grammy Awards and was named Album of the Year at the CMA awards.
In 2010, the band’s recording of “Mr. Bojangles” was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. And in 2014, “Fishin’ In the Dark” was certified platinum for digital downloads by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The NGDB will make a few stops in Alberta on their tour, including Edmonton, Calgary and Medicine Hat, as well as their Lethbridge date.
Once on sale, tickets can be purchased by calling 403-329-7328 or online at