John McEuen, a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (NGDB), will perform with other former band members at Southeast Missouri State Universitys Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall on the River Campus on Jan. 27. The concert will include music from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Bands (NGDB) catalogue and McEuens recent album.

There is a huge interest in McEuen and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in the area, said Bob Cerchio, assistant director of the Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts. Its not just a concert. It includes old favorites, new songs and multi-media. We expect tickets to sell quickly.

McEuen — with his banjo, guitar, fiddle and mandolin — brings his unique cast of iconic Americana string wizards to share the music and memories of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Bands incredible 50-year career and the landmark Will the Circle Be Unbroken platinum album, initiated by McEuen. With narrative and music of early NGDB, founding member McEuen takes the audience on their incredible journey interwoven with Nitty Gritty favorites, hot bluegrass, rarely heard NGDB early classics and Carter Family music. Its all in a multi-media presentation that features archival footage and some new classics from his recent album on Chesky Records, Made in Brooklyn, which was Stereophile magazine’s Record of the Month. McEuen was recently inducted in to the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame. Visit www.johnmceuen.com for more information.

McEuen has continually performed since 1964 with the band and as a solo artist. Beyond performing, he has a rich history of creating, producing and preserving original and traditional folk and acoustic music and taking it to new audiences. He is accompanied on this tour with three other former NGDB members: Les Thompson, bass and vocals; Matt Cartsonis, guitar, mandola and vocals; and John Cable, guitar and vocals.

Tickets

Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, located in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by calling (573) 651-2265, or online at RiverCampus.org.

Patrons are invited to begin the evening with Art Cuisine in the Kenneth and Jeanine Dobbins River Campus Center. Dinner will start at 5:30 p.m. with a choice of entre offered. Reservations are required and must be made by Jan. 27. To make reservations, call Chartwells at (573) 651-2511. More information, registration and menu information will be provided with ticket orders.