Jackson Theatre hosting McEuen on Aug. 24

On Sunday, August 24, at 7 p.m., John McEuen, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, brings a special show of songs and stories to The Jackson Theatre in downtown Jonesborough.

This multi-media performance spans nearly 60 years of music, sharing McEuen’s career with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and the making of the landmark Will the Circle Be Unbroken album. Joining him on stage are NGDB co-founder Les Thompson on bass, Bryan McDowell on fiddle and mandolin (Winfield 1st place winner on guitar and mandolin), and Marty Fair, holding down the guitar slot in what McEuen calls his “impickable manner.”

All join host John McEuen with his banjo, guitar, fiddle, and mandolin in front of the screen for the hits and stories behind NGDB music, leading up to that magic time when three generations came together. The Library of Congress has called Will the Circle Be Unbroken one of the most important American recordings, and it is also in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

McEuen’s new album, The Newsman, a man of record (Compass Records), is a spoken word and a story album featuring new music behind stories from America’s past.

Songs from the show include: Mr. Bojangles, Some of Shelly’s Blues, Dance Little Jean, Keep On the Sunny Side, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, House at Pooh Corner, Earl’s Breakdown, Wreck on the Highway, Cannonball Rag, Way Downtown, Acoustic Traveller, Fingerbuster, Long Hard Road, The Mountain Whippoorwill, and more.

The performance includes archival photographs, 8mm footage from 1967, and session photos from McEuen’s brother William. The stories and music are interwoven with Dirt Band favorites, hot bluegrass, and new material.

A surprise guest, Even Stevens, McEuen’s Nashville friend and hit songwriter, will make a cameo appearance to share stories behind iconic songs like I Love a Rainy Night, When You’re In Love with a Beautiful Woman and Drivin’ My Life Away.

John McEuen was inducted into the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame in 2018 and received the 2024 Josie Musician’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grand Ole Opry.

All events take place at The Jackson Theatre; a fully restored historic venue located in downtown Jonesborough. Tickets and seat reservations are available now at thejacksontheatre.com.