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Born in the Motor City 79 Years Ago Today, the Country-Rock Pioneer Who Helped Introduce Roots Music Legends to a New Generation
This article marks the 79th birthday of Jeff Hanna, born in Detroit, Michigan, on 11 July 1947, and celebrates his role as a founding member of the country-rock group the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It highlights his significance in roots music, particularly through the band's landmark 1972 album Will the Circle Be Unbroken, which brought together revered old-time, bluegrass and Grand Ole Opry artists and helped introduce them to a younger generation of listeners.
Hanna formed the band in Southern California after his family relocated from Colorado when he was 15, meeting future bandmate Bruce Kunkel and other folk-loving musicians. The group released its debut single, "Buy for Me the Rain," in 1967, scored its first top 10 hit with "Mr. Bojangles" in 1969, and enjoyed a run of 1980s successes including "Fishin' in the Dark." Beyond the band, Hanna has worked as a session musician and songwriter with artists such as Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Johnny Cash, and co-wrote "Bless the Broken Road," whose Rascal Flatts cover won a Grammy for Best Country Song. He has been married to singer-songwriter Matraca Berg since 1993.
Explained simply
Jeff Hanna is a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, an American group that helped bring traditional country, bluegrass and folk music to younger audiences. The band formed in Southern California in the 1960s and quickly achieved commercial success with hit singles including "Mr. Bojangles" in 1969 and "Fishin' in the Dark" in the 1980s.
Their 1972 album Will the Circle Be Unbroken brought together legendary old-time and bluegrass musicians alongside the younger band members. This helped introduce these music traditions to audiences who might not have otherwise encountered them.
Beyond his work with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Hanna has had a long career as a session musician and songwriter, collaborating with artists including Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. He also co-wrote "Bless the Broken Road," a song that won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song in its version by Rascal Flatts.
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