Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s farewell tour stops in Santa Rosa
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has announced its “All the Good Times: The Farewell Tour,” which will bring the band to Santa Rosa’s Luther Burbank Center for the Arts on June 28. With a history dating back to the ’60s, the band is bidding farewell to touring after nearly 60 years, but will still continue to record music.
When a band declares a farewell tour, it can often leave fans wondering what it truly means. Many artists, like Kiss, The Who, Elton John, and Cher, have announced multiple “final tours,” leading to skepticism about the validity of these claims. However, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is sincere in their decision to step away from the touring life after decades of performances.
Keyboardist Bob Carpenter revealed that while the band will no longer embark on extensive bus tours, they are open to occasional festival appearances and will continue to create new music. The group’s dedication to recording remains unwavering, hinting at possible future projects beyond the farewell tour. Carpenter emphasized living in the present moment and not overthinking the future beyond their current endeavors.
Since the 1970s, Carpenter has been an integral part of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, contributing his songwriting talents and musical abilities before becoming a full-time member in 1980. The band, formed in 1966, is renowned for its unique blend of country, bluegrass, and folk rock, producing hits like “Mr. Bojangles,” “Fishin’ in the Dark,” “An American Dream,” and the Grammy-winning album “Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two.”
The current band lineup features Carpenter alongside Jim Photoglo, Jimmie Fadden, Jeff Hanna, Jaime Hanna, and Ross Holmes, with founding member John McEuen absent from this farewell tour. Despite the changes in the lineup over the years, longtime fans continue to show unwavering support for the band, clamoring for beloved classics like “Mr. Bojangles” and “Fishin’ in the Dark.” With an extensive catalog boasting upwards of 500 songs, the band delivers a memorable live experience to fans with a diverse range of musical selections.
While the farewell tour officially concludes in July, the band’s music journey will endure beyond touring. Carpenter shared his plans for the future, which involve home improvement projects upon returning from the tour. Despite bidding adieu to the road, the band remains booked until the end of November, ensuring that their musical legacy thrives even past the farewell festivities.