The Dirt Band on TV

Subject: The Dirt Band on TV, twice!!
From: X
Date: 24 Sep 02 - 05:58 PM

The Dirt Band will be on TV, "The David Letterman Show"(Late Night) on Oct.3rd and on "The Grand Ole Opry" on Oct. 19. (TNN)

John asks,
"If you see the show Letterman show or the other, and want to help the NGDB cause, please send them a note, postcard, email."

By the way, the new "Will The Circle Be Unbroken vol. III" CD will be out Oct. 1st.

Thank you.

Subject: RE: The Dirt Band on TV
From: BanjoRay
Date: 24 Sep 02 - 07:22 PM

Anybody know who will play or what songs will be on the new WTCBU Vol.III CD?

Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: The Dirt Band on TV
From: michaelr
Date: 24 Sep 02 - 07:40 PM

Thanks for the heads-up, Banjoest.

What is "the NGDB cause"?

Michael

Subject: RE: The Dirt Band on TV
From: X
Date: 24 Sep 02 - 07:59 PM

The NGDB cause is to keep American Music alive. So if you like what you saw/heard on TV let the folks at "Lettermans" and "The Grand Ole Opry" know!

John McEuen writes:

Circle III - August, 2002

It started 30 years ago, when we went to Nashville to make Will the Circle Be Unbroken, and inadvertently began what has now become a series. The excitement of the 30th year anniversary rerelease of that album led last winter to discussions of "what would happen if we do another one?" Plans were made for recording in June, and we put together our wish list of great performers ready and willing to join us to again make what will be considered one of our best works.

This time the main difference between then and now is that many of the artists, even ourselves, grew up and learned from the original Circle album. This time had a lot to live up to, and I think we did!.

Some background notes on Circle III:

This album reflects more cross-generation influence with guests that include Doc Watson's grandson Richard Watson, Jonathan McEuen, Jaime Hanna, Del McCoury's sons, Ronnie and Jimmy Martin's son Ray, Earl's son Randy Scruggs.

Rodney Dillard's contribution of "There is a Time" is a perfect statement that, from my viewpoint, sets the tone lyrically for this album, pairing him with Ricky Skaggs. The reason I am in music is because of Rodney and his brother Doug. When I called to invite him to be part of this album he was as excited as I was the second time I saw them play. (First time I didn't know what I was going to see, second time I couldn't wait)

Recorded in a similar fashion as Circle I, there were days when the combinations of people jelled perfectly. Sam Bush with Vince Gill, Willie Nelson with Tom Petty. Doc with Josh Graves. Randy did an incredible job in casting the songs with the artists. Randy assembled our individual wish lists of songs and artists in a way that the end result is "that's just who we wanted it!" and that's pretty tough to do.

Poignant moments were as many as the excited "We nailed that one" moments came often. When Johnny Cash told us he had a song he'd written about Maybelle and Sarah for this album, called "Tears in the Holston River," we couldn't wait to be a part of making that piece of history. It was chilling.

June's (Carter/Cash) contribution, "Diamonds In The Rough," lovingly recaptures the original sounds of Maybelle Carter on the first Circle album. When I first heard it was eerie she's talking a little bit, and then the song starts. It was like Maybelle was in the studio. It sounded like she was going to say, as on the first Circle "on the original record I started it like this" . . . (June may be age Maybelle was on the first Circle??)

Iris Dement brings her fresh true Appalachian voice to "Mama's Opry" that made us feel that we were a part of a new old time recording era. We were fortunate to be with her on this lovingly delivered song that captures a beautiful picture.

It was important to get a (banjoist) Don Reno classic (Love Please Come Home) captured by one of the best in bluegrass, Del McCoury Band, and to pay homage to Don Reno's banjo style. I hope I came close in a way that Ronnie Reno will say 'Dad would be proud.' I always thought Reno's contribution has been under-appreciated. This song represents some of the best in bluegrass.

When Vince Gill first played "All Prayed Up" for us, I was sure he had found a classic Flatt and Scruggs gospel tune that nobody had remembered. It was his song, brought in for this album. With Sam Bush on mandolin I got to play Earl's guitar style, and we all felt like we were in the Flatt and Scruggs band of the early 50's. Ibby, Jeff, and Carp gave it that cool vocal of an old gospel tune they are so good at.

I was really proud of Jaime Hanna and Jonathan (my son) singing Gary Scruggs' "The Lowlands" in the way that they did, drawing the listener into this mournful song. I have long considered this a classic great song. I used Lowlands as the opening and closing credits on my first film score (The Man Outside). Here it receives its best treatment to date. It was always one of my brother's favorite songs; he calls it the "Walk Away Renee" of country music. It probably would have been on he first Circle album had it existed at the time.

When Tom Petty was offered the chance to sing with Willie Nelson he was as excited about the opportunity as we were to have him join us. "Good Night Irene" couldn't have been a better choice as these two make it come alive and poignant. Petty made it sound like he belongs in our band, singing country music with us. Willie's harp player, Mickey Raphael, paired up with his mentor Jimmie Fadden to make the harmonica duo absolutely beautiful. It was great to watch Jeff deliver the harmony over Petty's shoulder.

That was the day Dwight came in and almost sheepishly said something like 'I want to do one with you guys.' It fell into place sure, Jeff and Ibby wanted to have Dwight Yoakam sing with them. The chosen song represents one of the best songs of the California country rockers - Graham Parson's and Chris Hillman's "Wheels" and was a perfect one. It was so good, in fact, that we went ahead and did "Dark Hollow", one of Dwight's favorite bluegrass classics.

When Doc said he wanted to do "Milk Cow Blues," and with Josh Graves on dobro and us being his band, it was the same great feeling we had going in to record "Tennessee Stud" on the original Circle. Fadden's harp and Doc recaptured the perfect marriage they had the first time around, and I can't think of a better feeling than having Doc Watson say to you "Take one" and then saying "Now let me do it."

I had called Josh to be on the first Circle in '71, but at the time he could not do it due to job constraints. Josh is responsible for making the Dobro come to the forefront as a lead instrument starting in the '50's with Flatt & Scruggs. It was a must to have him on Circle III, and we were all excited that he joined in.

Alison chose "Catfish John", and when she sings it she takes me right to where the lyric tells me to go. It was a great feeling to have an artist with her talents say "that's the way it should sound."

I swear that Ibby's "I Find Jesus" will become a classic bluegrass standard for the gospel Sunday shows. I don't know where he's hoping this goes other than this album, but I am sure others will cut it.

An unusual happening came about when Matraca Berg joined with Emmylou and delivered some of her fine writing, and put the first husband-wife team from the Dirt Band on record (Jeff Hanna). Emmylou's "I'll Be Faithful To You" (a Paul Kennerly song) - it was great to be in the studio with her again, and NGDB sounded like her band. I've always loved the way Jeff; Ibby and Emmylou's voices came together, and they liked it so much we did Matraca's "Oh, Cumberland".

As everyone knows, Jimmy Martin believes everyone has a right to his opinion, an outlook that has made him known as the best singer in early bluegrass music. We feel lucky that he shared his opinion with us again, and brought "Hold Watcha' Got" and "Save It, Save It," to this album, both direct statements that give his point of view musically and lyrically.

How can a banjo player be any luckier than to again record with Earl Scruggs? "Sallie Ann" recaptures the twin banjo and bass combination as on Circle I's "Soldiers Joy." I again played Uncle Dave Macon's old five string. Funny to note that it had the same strings on it as 30 years previous for the first Circle album. Earl owns this banjo, which he bought for $25 from Doris Macon after Uncle Dave passed away. A few years ago I was proud to be honored with the "Uncle Dave Macon Heritage Award" as one who represents preservation of the old style of music and here I was again playing his old banjo.

Taj Mahal completes our circular path in that all started in the same L.A. clubs (The Ash Grove, Troubadour, Ice House). With the same dream of maybe someday we would record record and maybe even someday together. It happened here, and the joy of that being able to be done on Circle III is evident with Taj's performance of "Fishin' Blues." (he also appears on the revamped "Circle")

As for another complete 'Circle' aspect of this album, my instrumental ("Return To Dismal Swamp II") is the first song I played with the Dirt Band in 1966, just prior to actually being in the fold. I had them accompany me at a the Topanga Canyon banjo contest, and since I won it only seemed natural that we should be together. It's been a winning combination since.

The difference between this album and the first circle album? - the differences are many, but one main one is we play a lot better than we did then. We knew everybody we were going in to record with and had a better idea of what we could get done with them. We've all (NGDB and the others) had wonderful careers, and were mutually excited about being involved with each other to make something we knew we would be proud of. With the legacy of the fist Circle album over us, we had a high mark to aspire to. I think we did it.

I would say one of the more difficult musician tasks on this album was for our keyboard player, Bobby Carpenter, to find his space. Using a variety of old accordions, Bobby made the perfect musical contributions. His great high singing voice and ability to match with other people's styles amazed me, as always. If I could play the accordion, I'd want to do it the way he does. His solo on "Good Night Irene" sounds like we hired the perfect guy from 1948. My mother's going to love it.

Fadden, teaming up with one of his early disciples, Willie's Mickey Raphael, was as exciting as putting a couple of hot fiddlers together. Mickey started playing harmonica because of Jimmie Fadden. (Another Fadden disciple is Fingers Taylor with Jimmy Buffet)

It's exciting to sit in the studio recording with guys you've known for 35 years and hear in your headphones something that makes you look up to see what hot guy just walked in and laid down something just right. Jeff did that often with his slide guitar and finger picking. I think he's been studying behind my back!

One of my exciting challenges was to cover three or four different styles, using a variety of tunings (c-minor, c-major, E, g-minor and G) with frailing, barefingered and bluegrass picking.

Circle III is a melting pot of acoustic music . . . America, long called the 'melting pot', finds its best blend of cultures in its music. Circle III is an ongoing example and testament to the power of this music, and a great demonstration of how broad the styles can be within the background of country music.

Mike Dungan and his team at Capitol are equally excited about Circle III as we (the artists) all are. His succinct e-mail response to the question "What do you think so far?" when he was sent a couple of cuts was "Doc is a god. It's all beautiful. " It's great to be a part of this, and the support of the label from the top is good, as it means it will have its best shot at getting to the public.

We look forward to bringing this music to our fans and new listeners. Circle III again will transport the listener to a place in time where sweet singers and hot pickers gathered to make beautiful music for them to hear, and be a part of it along with us.

Subject: RE: The Dirt Band on TV
From: BanjoRay
Date: 24 Sep 02 - 08:08 PM

Thanks for that - it sounds great.

Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: The Dirt Band on TV
From: michaelr
Date: 24 Sep 02 - 08:28 PM

Oooh oooh oooh -- I can't wait to hear this one.

Kudos to NGDB for not using the obvious "O Brother" crowd, thereby avoiding the bandwagon trap which The Chieftains just dove into head first. (Did Paddy Moloney ever meet a fad he didn't like?)

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: The Dirt Band on TV
From: Nerd
Date: 25 Sep 02 - 12:12 AM

I think you're being a bit hard on Ould Paddy, michaelr. Granted, he jumps on the pop bandwagon early and often, but this album has little to do with O Brother. For one thing, he doesn't really use the "O Brother" crowd, just a few members thereof. Second, the current CD is the first of two, which were recorded at one set of sessions but will be released separately. If a lot of the "O Brother" crowd are on the first one, it's just 'cause they figured they have to sell the first one to have any hope of selling the second. (The second, by the way, will have the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on it among others).

Paddy has wanted to record a second country album since 1992, when Another Country got two Grammies but didn't sell too well. They were changing record companies and Paddy feels it fell through the marketing cracks. Those slow sales stuck in his craw--he's admitted as much to me. So I think as a point of pride (petty, some might say) he wanted to see if he could do better. The immediate impetus to do it now was a feeling that he should express solidarity with America after September 11th. Now, this may be "bandwagonism" too, but I think we can give him the benefit of the doubt.

Fads he doesn't like? Gangsta Rap, Punk, acid jazz...

Subject: RE: The Dirt Band on TV
From: michaelr
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 02:00 AM

Nerd -- thanks for that info which I wasn't aware of. So you're thick as thieves with Paddy, then?

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: The Dirt Band on TV
From: beadie
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 11:52 AM

Excuse, please, but wasn't it the Coen brothers who jumped on the NGDB bandwagon? It seems that Circle and Circle II preceded the "O Brother" phenomenon by quite a while. Perhaps the mode of delivery (movie rather than album)was more effective at starting a "fad," but the Grits had the lock on the preservation and promotion of tradition in my opinion.

Not to overly diss the Coen's, but at least they could have delivered a nod to the NGDB. After all, they gave screen credit to Homer for the original story.

Subject: RE: The Dirt Band on TV
From: X
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 12:20 PM

Hey beadie:

I think you may have something there.

Subject: RE: The Dirt Band on TV
From: Nerd
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 01:22 PM

Michaelr,

I talk to Paddy from time to time, but am not really a "friend." I'm a journalist who covers Irish music pretty regularly. I've done reviews of a bunch of their discs, and a major feature on the band a few years ago. Every year or so I touch base to see what's been happening in Paddyland. I also get press releases about upcoming projects, etc.

Subject: RE: The Dirt Band on TV
From: Nerd
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 01:36 PM

Oops. In case anyone wondered, by "Paddyland" I meant Paddy's life and art, not a disparaging reference to Ireland!

Paddy and I once joked that his record company (which had to change its name from Hemisphere because EMI had EMIsphere) should be called Paddysphere...

But to get back to the thread, Circle III is bound to be awesome, and I hope the collaboration between NGDB and the Chieftains will be awesome as well. Thanks for the info, banjoest!

Subject: RE: The Dirt Band on TV
From: X
Date: 03 Oct 02 - 09:09 PM

Remember:

Watch the "David Letterman Show" tonight (Oct. 3, 2002)to hear the "Dirt Band."

Subject: RE: The Dirt Band on TV
From: X
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 02:24 AM

I just receved an email from John. The Dirt Band will not be on "Letterman's" tonight. They have been moved to the 9th of Oct.

Sorry.