Saturday, January 13 – John McEuen & The Circle Band 7:30 p.m. Main Stage

John McEuen {Co-Founder of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band} The Life I’ve Picked

An Evening with John McEuen and The Circle Band:

John takes the audience on his trip with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, one that led to the incredible multi-platinum Will the Circle be Unbroken album which he initiated in 1972. John captured the band over the years on 8mm film, and with his brother’s (William E. McEuen, manager/producer) video and stills, we see the unseen backstory of this iconic musician, album, and band. Exactly what did happen at the magic sessions that created the landmark Will the Circle Be Unbroken album? Possibly the most popular and famous Americana/Blue Grass album ever recorded, and how John started it in Colorado, is told with the music and video on stage. “These previously unseen shots, on a huge screen, are incredible. It’s like being there!” John says, “We play songs that relate to what is on the screen”.

Joined by another NGDB co-founder and “Circle” veteran (bass, mandolin) Les Thompson, John brings his guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin along with their favorite Dirt Band and Circle songs to the audience. With them will be Danny Knicely (guitar, mandolin and great vocals) bringing his incredible mastery to this show, singing some of the songs with his Virginia voice. And, Bryan McDowell, also a ‘Winfield winner’, with his vocals, guitar and mandolin. John tells the stories behind the songs, collaborating with such notables as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Maybelle Carter, Bob Dylan, and life-long friend Steve Martin.

For Fremont’s Dogwood Performing Arts Center John has invited The Stranded Hoboes to do a cameo performance and join in a few ‘Circle’ songs. This bluegrass group (made up with Wounded Warriors), and will also play “Bluegrass Banjo Boy” with John, a tune he recorded with them last year.

McEuen’s renown countless jams include street performers to Phish, Earl Scruggs, Levon Helm, Leon Russell… and even Sesame Street with a herd of goats and a cow! Arguably, McEuen’s most important legacy may be his initiation of what Rolling Stone called “The most important record to come out of Nashville” and 2004 ZAGAT survey called “the most important record in country music” – Will the Circle Be Unbroken

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A co-founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1966), John McEuen has continually performed since 1963 – 11,500 concerts and 300 television shows throughout more than 4 million miles – both with the band and as a solo performer. He has been honored solo by the Folk Alliance Organization Best in the West Award. Beyond performing, John has a rich history of creating, producing and preserving original and traditional folk and acoustic music… and, taking it to new audiences.

McEuen has made over 40 albums (6 solo) that have earned five platinum and five gold recognition awards, multiple Grammy Awards and nominations, CMA and ACM awards, Emmy nominations, IBMA record of the year award, and performed on another 25 albums as guest artist. He’s also produced more than 300 concerts – the first in 1965 in Long Beach Calif., with Bob Dylan.

John’s production of Steve Martin – The Crow won the 2010 Best Bluegrass Album Grammy. The Music of the Wild West CD- produced by McEuen, was honored with the Western Heritage Award. A Grammy nomination for String Wizards II preceded the Uncle Dave Macon Award – for excellence in preservation and performance of historic music; John’s popular Sirius/XM Acoustic Traveller show, now in its 17th year on The Bridge. John produced the documentary film The Dillards – A Night in the Ozarks, capturing his early mentors at their best.

Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets are $20.00 each. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. Doors open for seating at 7:00 p.m. Online sales close two hours prior to events, please call the box office for ticket availability at 231-924-8885 if online sales have ended. The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. For more information, phone 231.924.8885.