The band's best-known song was a 1970 cover of Jerry Jeff Walker's folk song "Mr. Bojangles". Their greatest critical acclaim has been for a 1972 album of country and folk standards, recorded in Nashville in collaboration with more traditional country artists, entitled "Will the Circle Be Unbroken".
"Will the Circle be Unbroken" was a collaboration album recorded in 1972 by the Dirt band with traditional artists such as Mother Maybelle Carter, Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Roy Acuff, Merle Watson, Jimmy Martin, Junior Huskey, Norman Blake, and Pete Oswald Kirby (known to Grand Ole Opry fans as Bashful Brother Oswald). Vassar Clements, not widely known then, was tapped for fiddle duties which led to greater notoriety and success for him.
"Will the Circle be Unbroken" featured classic bluegrass and folk standards written by A.P Carter, Doc Watson and others. The title comes from the song of the same name but indicates what the Dirt Band was trying to achieve. The long-haired boys from California were making an effort to reach out to the older veterans of American music and unite them in a divided America. Two other editions were released, one in the 1980s and another after September 11, 2001.
In July 1974 The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was one of the headline acts at The Ozark Music Festival, at the Missouri State Fairgrounds, in Sedalia, Missouri. Some estimates have put the crowd count at 350,000 people, which would make this one of the largest music events in history.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's peak in popularity – at least on the radio — came during the mid- to late-1980s, when they charted a string of successful songs. Among the lot were three No. 1 singles: "Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream)" (1984); "Modern Day Romance" (1985); and "Fishin' in the Dark" (1987). Other successful songs were "Dance Little Jean" (1983); "I Love Only You" (1984); "High Horse" (1985); "Home Again in My Heart," "Partners, Brothers and Friends" and "Stand a Little Rain" (1986); "Fire in the Sky," "Baby's Got a Hold on Me" and "Oh What a Love" (1987); "Working Man (Nowhere to Go)" and "I've Been Lookin'" (1988); and "Down That Road Tonight" and "When it's Gone" (1989).
The current members are:
* Bob Carpenter - keyboard, accordion, bass, and vocals (1977-present)
* Jimmie Fadden - drums, harmonica,guitar, washtub bass, jug and vocals (1966-present)
* Jeff Hanna - guitar, mandolin, drums, harmonica, bass, washboard, jug and vocals (1966-present)
* John McEuen - banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, accordion washtub bass and vocals (1966-1986 & 2001-present)
Former members:
* Ralph Barr - guitar, clarinet and vocals (1966-1968)
* Merel Bregante - drums and percussion (1977-1979)
* Jackson Browne - guitar and vocals (1966)
* John Cable - guitar, bass and vocals (1976-1977)
* Jackie Clark - guitar, bass and vocals (1976-1977)
* Chris Darrow - fiddle, guitar, mandolin and vocals (1967-1968)
* Michael Gardner - drums (1980-1981)
* Al Garth - saxophone, fiddle, keyboard, percussion and vocals (1977-1981)
* Richard Hathaway - bass and vocals (1977-1981)
* Jimmy Ibbotson - guitar, bass, mandolin, piano, accordion, drums, flute and vocals (1968-1975 & 1982-2004)
* Bruce Kunkel - guitar, kazoo, vocals (1966-1967)
* Bernie Leadon - guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals (1987-1989)
* Vic Mastrianni - drums (1980-1981)
* Les Thompson - guitar, bass, mandolin and vocals (1966-1973)
It's a New Day
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Starin' down your demons out there in the dark.
At the end of the tunnel, you can see a light:
Well, if that ain't a train, you made it through the night.
An' it's a new day in the mornin':
Anythin' is possible, it's all good.
For brief shinin' moment,
Everythin' is wonderful,
Knock on wood.
Well, you get knocked down an' you get back up.
You get knocked down again; well, it's just your luck, hah.
It's just one of those years, that you gotta get through.
An' then you wake up an' find, it made a man outta you.
It's a new day in the mornin':
Anythin' is possible an' it's all good.
For brief shinin' moment,
Everythin' is wonderful,
Knock on wood.
Knock on wood.
It's a little humblin' down on your knees.
Ah, but if you say: "Please."
An' it's a new day in the mornin':
An' anythin' is possible an' it's all good. (It's all good.)
For brief shinin' moment,
Everythin' is wonderful,
Knock on wood.
Knock on wood.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "It's A New Day" is a song about persevering through hardships and facing your demons. The lyrics describe the feeling of being sleep-deprived and worn out, making reference to the ongoing struggles that can arise in life. However, the song emphasizes the idea that even in the darkest times, when you feel like you're staring down your inner demons, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
This song is an uplifting anthem for anyone who has been knocked down and gotten back up, only to get knocked down again. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the idea that even the hardest of times can help shape you into a better person. The lyrics encourage listeners to keep their heads up, stay positive and believe that anything is possible.
Overall, "It's A New Day" serves as a reminder that, no matter what difficulties you may be facing in life, there is always hope for a brighter future. The song uses imagery and metaphors to convey this message, making it a relatable and inspiring ballad for anyone in need of motivation.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleep deprived, an' fallin' apart.
You're so tired and feeling completely broken down.
Starin' down your demons out there in the dark.
You're trying to face your inner demons and fears, often in difficult situations.
At the end of the tunnel, you can see a light:
You see hope or a way out of your current problems approaching.
Well, if that ain't a train, you made it through the night.
Congratulations, you've made it through a difficult time in your life and the hope you see is not just another obstacle.
An' it's a new day in the mornin':
With a new day ahead, you can expect anything and everything to happen.
Anythin' is possible, it's all good.
You have a positive outlook and believe good things can come your way.
For brief shinin' moment,
For a short period, you experience happiness or positivity that's highlighted.
Everythin' is wonderful,
During that short period, everything seems great in the world.
Knock on wood.
You wish for continued good luck in your future endeavors.
Well, you get knocked down an' you get back up.
You face adversity in life but you don't give up.
You get knocked down again; well, it's just your luck, hah.
Even when life gives you more setbacks, you take it with humor as just another challenge.
It's just one of those years, that you gotta get through.
You recognize that sometimes life is hard but you need to keep moving forward.
An' then you wake up an' find, it made a man outta you.
You finally realize that all the hardships you've faced have made you stronger and helped build your character.
It's a little humblin' down on your knees.
You become humble and willing to ask for help in difficult times.
Ah, but if you say: "Please."
You acknowledge that sometimes you need the assistance of others to get through tough situations.
An' it's a new day in the mornin':
Another day offers another chance for positive change and growth.
An' anythin' is possible an' it's all good. (It's all good.)
You maintain optimism and believe that anything is achievable.
For brief shinin' moment,
You experience that temporary joy and positivity once again.
Everythin' is wonderful,
During that time, everything seems perfect in your life.
Knock on wood.
You hope that luck continues in your future endeavors.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES BROWN, ALFRED JAMES ELLIS, PETER O. PHILLIPS, DWIGHT MYERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind