Experience Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Musical Mix in Ridgefield

Country rock & Americana music pioneers Nitty Gritty Dirt Band bring their ebullient, flavorful music to Ridgefield Playhouse on March 16. Since the late 60s, these innovators, including original members Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, Bob Carpenter and John McEuen, have been crafting a melded music genre that combines rock, country and folk. As Hanna explained in a Huffington Post interview, "About 10 years after recording the 'Circle' record in 1971, we came to Nashville and kind of took a look around and realized that the music we were playing fit what was going on in country music during that decade more than anything. We had, sort of, stepped off the rock music bus."

In Ridgefield, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will cover all the bases, including performing their long-time favorites, such as "Mr. Bojangles," and "Fishin' in the Dark." The Band took a new approach with their most recent release, 2009's "Speed of Life," which was recorded live. Their 1989 album, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," was acoustic. It paid homage to country music icons Mother Maybelle Carter, Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, and Jimmy Martin and has been praised for not only combining genres but for bringing generations of music lovers together. It was certified gold and received two Grammy Awards. Just more acclaim for a band that has garnered multiple Grammy®, IBMA, CMA Awards/nominations.

Big-time musicians -- not just audiences -- are in Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's thrall. Jeff Hanna revealed to Huffington Post that Wyclef Jean told "Guitar World" he'd learned how to play the guitar by listening to "King Tut." Come to the Ridgefield Playhouse on March 16 and you'll have plenty of your own accolades to add. Tickets are $55. For more information, visit The Playhouse's website or call (203) 438-5795.