Under 21 with Guardian

John McEuen, a Southern California Orange County high school student, he thought his teenage dream job in Disneyland’s Magic Shop (at 16 years old) was “as good as it gets”. He and lifelong high-school friend both got that 1963 job (magic shop co-worker, Steve Martin) and at 18 music came along. After seeing Missouri bluegrass group The Dillards, John headed towards his new dream: make magic with music, and get on the radio. Leaving Garden Grove for Hollywood, dream became a reality more than imagined it could be!



Continually performing since 1964, he joined Les Thompson in 1966 as they put together the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, a relationship that would last 50 years – over 11,000 concerts, 300 television shows, 10,000 interviews.



In 1971, John initiated the landmark Will the Circle be Unbroken* album by asking musical mentors Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson to record with NGDB; then, his brother Bill (manager, record producer) invited Merle Travis. It grew, with Earl’s help, to inviting Mother Maybelle Carter, Jimmy Martin, Roy Acuff, ‘Bashful’ Brother Oswald, Vassar Clements, and Norman Blake to a Nashville studio, hooking them up with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, for 5 magic hot August days of recording. (John is featured in episode 6 of Ken Burns - Country Music). The now multi-platinum “Circle” is honored both by Library of Congress and the Grammy Hall of Fame. * “One of the most important records to come out of Nashville...” Chet Flippo, Rolling Stone



In 2010, Folk Alliance Organization presented McEuen the Best in the West Award solo performer; hia rich history preserving original and traditional folk music earned the 2013 Charlie Poole Lifetime Achievement Award.



NGDB was inducted in to Colorado Music Hall of Fame 2015. In addition to John’s numerous solo accolades, Multi-instrumentalist McEuen (banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, piano, dulcimer), recognized as a founding member and outstanding performer, departed the end of the 50th year anniversary tour Oct. 22, 2017. He covers it all in his highly praised book The Life I’ve Picked on Chicago Review Press, published April, 2018.



McEuen has made over 46 albums (7 solo) that have earned CMA and ACM awards, an Emmy film score nomination, IBMA record of the year award, five platinum and six gold records, multiple Grammy Awards and nominations, and performed on another 25 albums as guest artist. John’s production of Steve Martin – The Crow won the 2010 Best Bluegrass Album Grammy.

https://www.johnmceuen.com/