John McEuen on Will The Circle Be Unbroken (1972)

John McEuen from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band talks about recording and creating WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN in 1972, working with Earl Scruggs, Mother Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, and more. In this exclusive interview, McEuen talks about his producer brother William McEuen, making his first banjo from a guitar, recording techniques, and tells fascinating stories and provides tons of additional context and history. A rare and awesome look into the creation of the record many consider the very first Americana Music record! GET IN, BALLERS! Experience the Birth of Americana with us!

PART 2 COMING SOON: Picking with Steve Martin, Dolly, Willie Nelson, Jerry Garcia and more.

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MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO IS FROM the ADOBE PREMIERE MUSIC LIBRARY.

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[MrRustyFord]

Thanks for posting. I bought that album in 1972 or '73 when I was 17 and gave it to my uncle as a gift. He was an old-school country player - guitar and dobro. Later I got the 8 track tape for myself and about wore it out. I have the CD, and it's also on my phone on Spotify. I still play it, usually on a warm quiet night enjoying a few cold ones and reminiscing. Truly an American classic. An historic, national treasure. It was my first exposure to Doc Watson. I just bought the book from John's website. I highly recommend it. A ton of pictures taken during the recording sessions that I had never seen before. Thanks to Jon McEuen for writing the book and for everything else about the Circle project, and to the other boys of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. I've enjoyed their music for 50-plus years. Highlights of the Circle project LP for me were Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Earl and Randy Scruggs, Junior Husky's stand-up bass playing, and Maybelle Carter. But it's all good...even better after 50 years. Thanks John. Keep picking. I'd like to see you guys in concert before I leave this old world.

[BulldoggerJK]

Learning bluegrass banjo as a kid, John’s album “string wizard” was crazy cool at the time. I still play a neat chord progression to “Blackberry Blossom” like John.

[RagtimeAnnie]

Excellent Interview ... Loved the record from my youth - still playing Old-Time and Bluegrass at 63 ... my how time flies.

[RobertCarvell]

Great episode, Dennis. I had the honor of opening for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 2003. Watching John play banjo was a spiritual experience!

[maybeitsneato]

John McEuen is so witty! I especially enjoyed his history of tennis balls. Mr Bojangles was my favorite 45 as child. My dad had the version with the singing dog prologue, unfortunately I don't have that one. Uncle Charlie and his Dog Teddy is an essential 1970s LP. I wasn't too familiar with Will the Circle Be Unbroken but I'd like to get a copy now. Another quality interview, Dennis! I'm looking forward to part 2.

[enigmawyoming]

Anybody know secrets to having great picking nails like John has? I’ve been a picker since a kid, but after 50 my nails got brittle and unable to pluck those strings naturally anymore.

[kevindick]

My first interview with John McEuen . I have seen the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band several times in my life, by way of introduction by my sister Kelly in the 1970s . She came home on afternoon with Dirt, Silver and Gold by some folky band she claimed . That band The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. I was familiar with the songs of the album . Later on I did acquire Will The Circle Be Unbroken . Loved it then and to this day is one of the greatest albums by way of artist on the credit titles I have come to know of their musical contribution to the music entertainment industry . Thankyou.