The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country-folk-rock band that has e… Read Full Bio ↴The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country-folk-rock band that has existed in various forms since the original founding in California in 1966. The group's membership has had at least a dozen iterations over the years, including five years, between "Dirt, Silver & Gold" (1976) and "Let's Go" (1983), when the band performed and recorded as The Dirt Band.
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)
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)
The Dream
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
His fastball is fading, his sinker is gone,
They sent him doun to the minors 'cause he wore out his arm,
But his eyes shine brighter than the young kids' it seems
So he keeps on playing, holding on to the dream.
Lord knows that it ain't for the money
Cause he's broke almost every day,
And it ain't for the fame or the glory
Guess he'll do it cause he still loves to play
Guess he'll do it cause he still loves to play.
He's been in the saddle since he was a kid
The rodeo came but he keeps it well hid
And someday he'll have to set his pony free
But 'til he does he'll be riding the dream.
Lord knows that it ain't for the money,
'cause he's broke almost every day,
And it ain't for the fame or the glory
Guess he'll do it cause he still loves to play;
Guess he'll do it, cause he still loves to play.
We ain't getting no younger and that is the truth
But these games we keep playin,' they're our fountain of youth.
From boston to boulder and down to orleans
From highlights to lowlife and everything in between
Well I guess we could grow up and quit wearing our jeans
But we still feel like playing and living the dream.
Lord knows that it ain't for the money,
'cause he's broke almost every day,
And it ain't for the fame or the glory
Guess he'll do it cause he still loves to play;
Guess he'll do it, cause he still loves to play.
They sent him doun to the minors 'cause he wore out his arm,
But his eyes shine brighter than the young kids' it seems
So he keeps on playing, holding on to the dream.
Lord knows that it ain't for the money
Cause he's broke almost every day,
And it ain't for the fame or the glory
Guess he'll do it cause he still loves to play.
He's been in the saddle since he was a kid
The rodeo came but he keeps it well hid
And someday he'll have to set his pony free
But 'til he does he'll be riding the dream.
Lord knows that it ain't for the money,
'cause he's broke almost every day,
And it ain't for the fame or the glory
Guess he'll do it cause he still loves to play;
Guess he'll do it, cause he still loves to play.
We ain't getting no younger and that is the truth
But these games we keep playin,' they're our fountain of youth.
From boston to boulder and down to orleans
From highlights to lowlife and everything in between
Well I guess we could grow up and quit wearing our jeans
But we still feel like playing and living the dream.
Lord knows that it ain't for the money,
'cause he's broke almost every day,
And it ain't for the fame or the glory
Guess he'll do it cause he still loves to play;
Guess he'll do it, cause he still loves to play.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's song "The Dream" is a poignant depiction of a veteran athlete who's facing the twilight of his career. The singer sings about a baseball player whose fastball and sinker have lost their luster, causing him to get demoted to the minor leagues. Despite his unsuccessful career, the player's eyes shine with the same passion and drive that he had as a young player. He continues to play the game he loves, determined to hold on to his dream, no matter the cost.
The song's chorus reveals that the player's motivation to keep playing isn't rooted in money or fame, but something more profound. He plays because he loves the game, and that's all that matters. The lyrics possess a nostalgic quality, evoking the memories of earlier times when baseball players were heroes and cowboy rodeos were staples of the American west. The song's message is clear: even as we age, we still crave the youthful pleasures of play, sportsmanship, and fulfilling dreams.
"The Dream" is a touching tribute to the enduring spirit of human perseverance, despite the inevitable setbacks that we face in life. It reminds us of the importance of staying true to our passions and living life with integrity, regardless of the financial, social, or cultural pressures we may encounter.
Contributed by Oliver C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@jkk5458
I beg your pardon, mama, what did you say?
My mind was drifting off on Martinique Bay
It's not that I'm not interested, you see
Augusta, Georgia is just no place to be
I think Jamaican in the moonlight
Sandy beaches, drinking rum every night
We got no money, mama, but we can go
We'll split the difference, go to Coconut Grove
Keep on talking, mama, I can hear
Your voice, it tickles down inside of my ear
I feel a tropical vacation this year
Might be the answer to this hillbilly fear
I think Jamaican in the moonlight
Sandy beaches, drinking rum every night
We got no money, mama, but we can go
We'll split the difference, go to Coconut Grove
Voila! An American Dream
Well, we can travel girl, without any means
When it's as easy as closing your eyes
And dream Jamaica is a big neon sign
Just keep talking, mama, I like that sound
It goes so easy with that rain falling down
I think a tropical vacation this year
Might be the answer to this hillbilly fear
Voila! An American Dream
Yeah, we can travel, girl, without any means
When it's as easy as closing your eyes
And dream Jamaica is a big neon sign
Just think Jamaican in the moonlight
Sandy beaches, drinking rum every night
We got no money, mama, but we can go
@electricshoes
"An American Dream"
I beg your pardon, mama, what did you say?
My mind was drifting off on Martinique Bay.
It's not that I'm not interested, you see;
Augusta, Georgia is just no place to be.
I think Jamaican in the moonlight.
Sandy beaches, drinking rum every night.
We got no money, mama, but we can go;
We'll split the difference, go to Coconut Grove.
Keep on talking, mama, I can hear
Your voice, it tickles down inside of my ear.
I feel a tropical vacation this year,
Might be the answer to this hillbilly fear.
I think Jamaican in the moonlight.
Sandy beaches, drinking rum every night.
We got no money, mama, but we can go;
We'll split the difference, go to Coconut Grove.
Voila! An American Dream.
Well, we can travel girl, without any means.
When it's as easy as closing your eyes
And dream Jamaica is a big neon sign.
Just keep talking, mama, I like that sound.
It goes so easy with that rain falling down.
I think a tropical vacation this year,
Might be the answer to this hillbilly fear.
Voila! An American Dream.
Yeah, we can travel, girl, without any means.
When it's as easy as closing your eyes
And dream Jamaica is a big neon sign.
Just think Jamaican in the moonlight.
Sandy beaches, drinking rum every night.
We got no money, mama, but we can go;
We'll split the difference, go to Coconut Grove.
@mikesas3865
I am 84 year's old and I listen to this almost every day, you just do not get type of harmony anymore I think they were one of the greatest groups off all time
@brianfeuhtinger3267
The Perfect Tropical-Country Song Experience., i love it too., It's on My MP3 player.
@robertlarue9194
I am 82 year's young and I agree with you
100%. They are the best.
@dionisiopadua373
@Robert LaRue i am in the philippines but this my favorite song at all time ❤️❤️❤️. .
@dashjeffreys6998
I picked up the album just the other day for $3.....I loved the record back in '79. It's still great. I'm a young guy at 62 but I couldn't agree with you more!
@SeverSTL
Best concert I've been to. They are lots of fun. Also POCO was a blast.
@leogamit3075
I was 12 years old when this song hit the airwaves in the Philippines, me and my late brother, Joel, were so fond of this song and I always remember my teen years w/my brother, priceless...
@amonglaimchen290
Nice song... I love American Dream... Love from Nagaland North East India..,
@merenanichar3329
Me too
@amonglaimchen290
@Meren Anichar .. Yeah.. 👍👍