# List of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band members

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (NGDB) is an American country rock band from Long Beach, California. Formed in October 1965, the group was originally a jug band featuring guitarist and vocalist Jeff Hanna, guitarists Bruce Kunkel, Ralph Barr and Dave Hanna, bassist and guitarist Les Thompson, and drummer Glen Grosclose. The current lineup of the band features Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden on drums, harmonica and vocals (since 1966), Bob Carpenter on keyboards and vocals (since 1979), Jim Photoglo on bass and guitar (since 2005), Jaime Hanna on guitar and vocals, and Ross Holmes on mandolin and fiddle (both since 2018).

## History
### 1965–1982

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band evolved from the Illegitimate Jug Band in late 1965, with the original lineup featuring Jeff Hanna, Bruce Kunkel, Ralph Barr, Les Thompson, Jackson Browne, and Jimmie Fadden.<Browne remained only until July, when he left to start a solo career. He was replaced the following month by John McEuen, who played banjo, mandolin, guitar and fiddle. After the release of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Ricochet, Kunkel left the NGDB in December 1967 and was replaced by Chris Darrow, formerly of Kaleidoscope. Darrow contributed to the studio album Rare Junk and the live release Alive!, before the band went on hiatus at the end of 1968.
Six months later, the band returned with Jimmy Ibbotson in place of Darrow. Three albums followed – Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy, All the Good Times and Will the Circle Be Unbroken – before the group was reduced to a quartet when Thompson departed in late 1973. By mid-1976, Ibbotson had also left and new members John Cable (guitar, bass, vocals) and Jackie Clark (bass, guitar, keyboards) had joined the group, whose name had been shortened to simply the Dirt Band. Around a month after returning home following a string of shows in the Soviet Union, Clark left the Dirt Band and Cable was dismissed by Hanna. Hanna, Fadden and McEuen then rebuilt the band with the addition of bassist Richard Hathaway, saxophonist Al Garth and drummer Merel Bregante.
The Dirt Band went through a succession of drummers during its tenure – by the summer of 1979, Bregante had been replaced by Mike Buono, former Jimmy Buffett drummer Michael Gardner took over from Buono in May 1980, and the following year saw Vic Mastrianni take over the position. After contributing to The Dirt Band and An American Dream as a guest session contributor, keyboardist Bob Carpenter officially joined the group in 1979. Jealousy followed in 1981, after which Garth also left and was replaced briefly by Bryan Savage.

### 1982 onwards

By 1982, Jimmy Ibbotson had returned and the Dirt Band had reverted to its original name of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. As a five-piece, the group released four studio albums in four years, before McEuen left in January 1987 to focus on his family. He was replaced in March by former Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon, although he only remained until the following July, when he left to focus on his solo career. The NGDB remained a four-piece for the following 13 years, before McEuen rejoined for a run of reunion shows starting in July 2001. The return of McEuen was later made official for a new album and resulting tours. After the tour for 2004's Welcome to Woody Creek, the group returned to a four-piece again when Ibbotson left for a second time.
In May 2016, Jim Photoglo joined the NGDB in time for the group's 50th anniversary tour. McEuen left for a second time in October 2017, claiming an "ongoing difference of opinions" with other members. For tour dates the following year, the remaining four members were joined by Hanna's son Jaime on guitar and vocals, and Ross Holmes on fiddle, mandolin and vocals.

## Members
### Current

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Jeff Hanna | 1965–present | vocalsguitarswashboardpercussionmandolin (until 1967)drums (1967–77) | all Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (NGDB) releases |
| Jimmie Fadden | 1966–present | drumsharmonicavocalsguitars (until 1977)washtub bass, jug (until 1968) | all Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (NGDB) releases |
| Bob Carpenter | 1979–present (session 1977–1979) | keyboardsaccordionkeyboard bassvocals | all NGDB releases from The Dirt Band (1978) onwards |
| Jim Photoglo | 2016–present | bassguitarsvocals | none as yet – live performances only |
| Jaime Hanna | 2018–present | guitarsvocals | none as yet – live performances only |
| Ross Holmes | 2018–present | fiddlemandolinvocals | none as yet – live performances only |

### Former

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Les Thompson | 1965–1973 | bassguitarsmandolinpercussionbanjovocals | all NGDB releases from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1967) to Symphonion Dream (1975) |
| Ralph Barr | 1965–1968 | guitarsclarinetkazoowashtub bassvocals | The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1967)Ricochet (1967)Rare Junk (1968)Alive! (1969) |
| Bruce Kunkel | 1965–1967 | guitarswashtub basskazoovocals | The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1967)Ricochet (1967) |
| Jackson Browne | 1966 | guitarsvocals | none – live performances only |
| John McEuen | 1966–19872001–2017 | banjomandolinguitarsvocalsfiddle (1974–86)keyboards (until 1968) | all NGDB releases from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1967) to Hold On (1987)Welcome to Woody Creek (2004)Speed of Life (2009)Circlin' Back: Celebrating 50 Years (2016) |
| Chris Darrow | 1967–1968 (died 2020) | guitarsmandolinfiddlebassvocals | Rare Junk (1968)Alive! (1969) |
| Jimmy Ibbotson | 1969–19761982–2004 | vocalsguitarbass (from 1973)mandolin (from 1982)drums, keyboards (until 1976) | all NGDB releases from Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy (1970) to Symphonion Dream (1975), and from Let's Go (1983) to Welcome to Woody Creek (2004)Circlin' Back: Celebrating 50 Years (2016) |
| John Cable | 1976–1977 | guitarsbassvocals | Dirt, Silver and Gold (1976) – nine new recordings |
| Jackie Clark | 1976–1977 | bassguitarskeyboards | Dirt, Silver and Gold (1976) – nine new recordings |
| Richard Hathaway | 1977–1982 | basspercussionvocals | all NDGB releases from The Dirt Band (1978) to Jealousy (1981) |
| Al Garth | 1977–1981 | saxophonesflutefiddlekeyboardspercussionrecorderguitarsvocals | all NDGB releases from The Dirt Band (1978) to Jealousy (1981) |
| Merel Bregante | 1977–1979 | drumspercussionvocals | The Dirt Band (1978)An American Dream (1979) |
| Michael Buono | 1979–1980 | drums | none – live performances only |
| Michael Gardner | 1980–1981 | drums | none – live performances only |
| Vic Mastrianni | 1981–1982 | drums | none – live performances only |
| Bryan Savage | 1981–1982 | saxophonesflutekeyboardspercussion | none – live performances only |
| Bernie Leadon | 1987–1988 | banjoguitarsmandolinmandocellovocals | Rare Junk (1968) – guest appearance on one trackWill the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two (1989) – two tracksWorkin' Band (1988) |

## Lineups

| Period | Members | Releases |
| October 1965 – February 1966 | Jeff Hanna – guitar, mandolin, washboard, kazoo, vocals Bruce Kunkel – guitar, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals Ralph Barr – guitar, clarinet, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals Dave Hanna – guitar, vocals Les Thompson – washtub bass, guitar, mandolin, kazoo, vocals Glen Grosclose – drums | none – live performances only |
| February – July 1966 | Jeff Hanna – guitar, mandolin, washboard, kazoo, vocals Bruce Kunkel – guitar, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals Ralph Barr – guitar, clarinet, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals Jackson Browne – guitar, vocals Les Thompson – washtub bass, guitar, mandolin, kazoo, vocals Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, washtub bass, vocals | none – live performances only |
| August 1966 – December 1967 | Jeff Hanna – guitar, mandolin, washboard, kazoo, vocals Bruce Kunkel – guitar, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals Ralph Barr – guitar, clarinet, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals Les Thompson – washtub bass, guitar, mandolin, kazoo, vocals John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, washtub bass Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, guitar, washtub bass, vocals | The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1967) Ricochet (1967) |
| December 1967 – December 1968 | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, drums, bass, vocals Ralph Barr – guitar, clarinet, washtub bass, kazoo, vocals Chris Darrow – guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass, vocals Les Thompson – bass, guitar, mandolin, vocals John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, keyboards Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, guitar, washtub bass, vocals | Rare Junk (1968) Alive! (1968) |
| June 1969 – late 1973 | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, drums, percussion, vocals Jimmy Ibbotson – guitar, drums, keyboards, vocals Les Thompson – bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, accordion Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, guitar, washtub bass, vocals | Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy (1970) All the Good Times (1971) Will the Circle Be Unbroken (1972) |
| Late 1973 – May 1976 | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, drums, percussion, vocals Jimmy Ibbotson – bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, vocals John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, accordion Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, guitar, percussion, vocals | Stars & Stripes Forever (1974) Symphonion Dream (1975) |
| May 1976 – summer 1977 (as The Dirt Band) | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, drums, percussion, vocals John Cable – guitar, bass, vocals Jackie Clark – bass, guitar, keyboards John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, accordion Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, guitar, percussion, vocals | Dirt, Silver and Gold (1976) – new tracks |
| Late 1977 – summer 1979 (as The Dirt Band) | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals Jimmie Fadden – guitar, harmonica, percussion, vocals Richard Hathaway – bass, percussion, vocals John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle Al Garth – saxophone, fiddle, keyboards, percussion, vocals Merel Bregante – drums, percussion, vocals | The Dirt Band (1978) An American Dream (1979) |
| Summer 1979 – May 1980 (as The Dirt Band) | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals Jimmie Fadden – guitar, harmonica, percussion, vocals Richard Hathaway – bass, percussion, vocals John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals Al Garth – saxophone, fiddle, keyboards, percussion, vocals Mike Buono – drums (touring member only) | none – live performances only |
| May 1980 – summer 1981 (as The Dirt Band) | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals Jimmie Fadden – guitar, harmonica, percussion, vocals Richard Hathaway – bass, percussion, vocals John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals Al Garth – saxophone, fiddle, keyboards, percussion, vocals Michael Gardner – drums (touring member only) | Make a Little Magic (1980) Jealousy (1981) |
| Summer 1981 – 1982 (as The Dirt Band) | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals Jimmie Fadden – guitar, harmonica, percussion, vocals Richard Hathaway – bass, percussion, vocals John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals Bryan Savage – saxophone, flute, keyboards, percussion Vic Mastrianni – drums (touring member only) | none – live performances only |
| 1982 – January 1987 | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals Jimmy Ibbotson – bass, guitar, mandolin, percussion, vocals John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals | Let's Go (1983) Plain Dirt Fashion (1984) Partners, Brothers and Friends (1985) "Stand a Little Rain" (1986) Hold On (1987) |
| March 1987 – July 1988 | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals Jimmy Ibbotson – bass, guitar, mandolin, percussion, vocals Bernie Leadon – banjo, guitar, mandolin, vocals Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals | Workin' Band (1988) |
| July 1988 – July 2001 | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals Jimmy Ibbotson – bass, guitar, mandolin, percussion, vocals Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals | Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Volume Two (1989) The Rest of the Dream (1990) Live Two Five (1991) Not Fade Away (1992) Acoustic (1994) The Christmas Album (1997) Bang Bang Bang (1999) |
| July 2001 – late 2004 | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals Jimmy Ibbotson – bass, guitar, mandolin, percussion, vocals John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals | Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Volume III (2002) Welcome to Woody Creek (2004) |
| Late 2004 – May 2016 | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals | Speed of Life (2009) Circlin' Back: Celebrating 50 Years (2016) |
| May 2016 – October 2017 | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals Jim Photoglo – bass, acoustic guitar, vocals John McEuen – banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals | none – live performances only |
| October 2017 – May 2018 | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals Jim Photoglo – bass, acoustic guitar, vocals Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals | none – live performances only |
| May 2018 – present | Jeff Hanna – guitar, washboard, percussion, vocals Jaime Hanna – guitar, vocals Jim Photoglo – bass, acoustic guitar, vocals Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals Bob Carpenter – keyboards, piano, accordion, vocals Ross Holmes – fiddle, mandolin, vocals | none – live performances only |