John McEuen, a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and his Circle Band will bring Americana and bluegrass to Augusta’s Imperial Theatre Friday.
The show is one six shows in the 2022-2023 Morris Museum’s Budweiser True Music Southern Soul and Song Series, which concludes next month with a concert by country star Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives.
“We are honored to welcome music legend John McEuen and the Circle Band to Southern Soul and Song,” Kevin Grogan, director of the Morris Museum and the series’ founder, said in a statement. “This is their first time performing on our series, but we feel certain it will not be their last.”
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is known for hits such as Mr. Bojangles, about Bill Robinson, the Black tap dancer who appeared in many movies in the 1930s. Another hit was 1979’s American Dream, which included the line, “Augusta, Ga., is just no place to be.” Songwriter Rodney Crowell said he used Augusta based on the sound of the words.
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The 7:30 p.m. show will spotlight the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s 1972 album, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, based on the adapted gospel song and called by Rolling Stone “the most important record to come out of Nashville.”
The show will feature behind-the-scenes video and stills captured by McEuen of the band and the sessions that gave rise to Will the Circle Be Unbroken, over which McEuen and the Circle Band will play songs from the period.
“It’s like being there. The Circle Band and I will be playing songs that relate to what is on the screen at the same time,” McEuen said in a statement.
Members of the Circle Band include Les Thompson, a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; John Cable, who toured Russia with the band; and Matt Cartsonis.
The show will feature multiple aspects of McEuen’s 55-year career and include footage from the band’s Russia tour as well as its collaborations with performing legends such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Maybelle Carter, Bob Dylan and McEuen’s longtime friend Steve Martin.
McEuen’s production of Martin’s The Crow won a bluegrass Grammy in 2010 and he’s performed with many other acts including Phish, Earl Scruggs, Levon Helm and even on Sesame Street.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theaugustapress.com
