In another busy year, John has just finished the music scores for three documentary films (“Sizzle - A Global Warming Comedy;” “Maynard Dixon - Art and Spirit”; “Howard's Trail”), and has been seen on the road either solo (about 48 cities) or in his 42nd year with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (42 cities). Capitol Records just released a remake of Mr. Bojangles by NGDB with Keith Urban and Dierks Bentley!). McEuen's XM radio show (Acoustic Traveller - channel 15) begins its 4th year.
This summer McEuen also started producing an album for his lifelong friend, actor Steve Martin. All Martin's original music - for release in 2009 - John says "the Steve album is coming along great! People will be shocked at how vast and varied is music is, and how great he plays… this album will show Steve as a composer of unique hot licks and soulful lyrics. He is definitely a songwriter with an unusual twist for lyrics, and, in the 44 years I've known him, I've never heard him playing better."
Martin's yet to be titled album (a dozen instrumentals and three vocals) features such diverse talents as Earl Scruggs, McEuen, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Tony Trishka, Pete Wernick, David Amram, Craig Eastman, (Vince Gill duets with Dolly Parton on Pretty Flowers and Tim O'Brien sings Daddy Played the Banjo) … and Steve even sings one. ard to pigeonhole as to 'style', John brings together Americana folk traditional instruments to Steve's world of notes where you will hear strains that combine influences from their mutual past - Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, The Music Man, Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring, and bluegrass - in way that “will take the music world by surprise”, says producer McEuen.
This fall you can catch John McEuen on the road (with banjo, guitar, fiddle, and mandolin) for his highly acclaimed solo performances. He brings to his stage songs from years on the road and recording, including many NGDB tunes from the early years and the historic Will the Circle Be Unbroken album (you can see some of his early wardrobe and the banjo used on that historic recording in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibit) and from his own CDs on Rural Rhythm Records and Vanguard Records.
For those of you in the L.A. area:
He'll also be at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, November 11 at 8:00.
For reservations call 626-398-7917
5 comments:
Such an informative post, Diane... thanks so much! It was very interesting to learn more about John McEuen's various pursuits... scoring films, producing albums on top of solo and NGDB work. Great to know he's still busy and so broadly involved. And how very cool that he's maintained a friendship with Steve Martin over these many years... not surprising given their common banjo roots. It was fascinating to learn the extent of Martin's current musical agenda. Really, it seems as though the possibilities for these two gifted gentlemen is still limitless. Wouldn't it be a coup to get one or, dare we imagine, perhaps both of them up to the 2nd Reunion! Thanks again for your most enjoyable post!
Ralph,Steve and I are going Tuesday night. Show time is 8:00 PM.
If anyone else wants to go, call now for reservations as the Coffee Gallery is only 49 seats.
I have room for 2 more bodies, if you want to meet me in Cypress.
Peace ... Gary
Tony, John (or Johnny as I still think of him) has expressed an interest in coming -- I think it just depends on what the NGDB has planned.
He also told Steve last summer about our get together, but he was back East doing a film at the time. Maybe the two of them can pull it off next summer. Be fun to hear them play together after all these years!
I only remember his wild and crazy guy routines with the arrow through his head, but Sherry Miller remembers Steve Martin playing the banjo at the Paradox while showing slides of West Virginia or somewhere....
I also heard a funny story when seeing the Dirt Band here last summer. A high school friend of Johnny's lives in Montana, and he told me about how Steve always came over to use his family phone. His Montana friends can't believe that his mother used to get furious with him, telling him to get off the phone! "You mean she yelled at Steve Martin?!"
Gary, be sure to report back about the concert. Would love to hear about it since there won't be a c.d. like from the Van Morrison concert (which I also look forward to). Take a picture of you all that we can post!
I learned my famous "napkin trick", actually I stole it from Steve. I'll demonstrate it at our next reunion, that is unless Mr. Martin is here in person. I've impressed my grandchildren with this magical display.
Helen
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