Nitty Gritty Dirt Band bids farewell: Riding off into the Prairie Sunset in Saskatoon on April 29th

by Scott Roos

Photos by Deanna Roos

Jaime Hanna (Left) and Jeff Hanna (right) performing at Saskatoon's TCU Place in 2023

On Tuesday, April 29th, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will visit Saskatoon's esteemed TCU Place as part of their farewell tour. This marks their first performance in Saskatoon since the memorable "Dirt Does Dylan" event in 2023. The tour, titled "ALL THE GOOD TIMES: The Farewell Tour," will be a poignant occasion for longtime fans of the band. While this isn't a permanent goodbye, as fans will still have opportunities to enjoy their iconic tunes in special performances, it will be the last time the band embarks on an extensive, multi-city tour.

"‘All The Good Times’ perfectly describes our career,” the band said in a recent statement,  “Playing our music for Dirt Band fans all over the world has been an incredible experience for us. The most important part of that has been the connection to our audience—that beautiful communal give and take is like nothing else. That's the very spirit we'll be celebrating as we head into our farewell tour. We’re really looking forward to seeing you folks. Good times will be had by all!” 

Over the years, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has become a staple in American roots and country music, helming groundbreaking projects like the unforgettable three volumes of Will The Circle Be Unbroken, a multi-artist collection that brought together legends such as Mother Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, and Emmylou Harris to name but a few from just the first installment. Through their decades-long journey, the band has always stayed true to their roots, blending a signature cocktail of bluegrass, country, rock, and folk.

The current lineup of the Dirt Band includes founding members Jeff Hanna (lead vocals, guitar) and Jimmie Fadden (drums, harmonica, vocals), along with longtime member Bob Carpenter (keys, vocals), who has been part of the band since 1980. They are joined by Jim Photoglo (bass, vocals), Jaime Hanna (guitar, vocals), and Ross Holmes (fiddle, mandolin, vocals). Together, this group delivers performances that embody the essence of what the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has always represented: outstanding musicianship, heartfelt storytelling, and joy in every note. This remarkable versatility and musicality were showcased in 2023 when the band last visited Saskatoon. It is sure to be an exceptionally enjoyable experience once again.

While the farewell tour celebrates the band's long and storied history, it’s also a chance to experience some of their latest material. Released in 2022, Dirt Does Dylan is a tribute album that showcases the band’s unmistakable spin on classic Bob Dylan songs, earning widespread critical acclaim. It's the perfect blend of the Dirt Band’s musical versatility and their unique ability to breathe new life into iconic tunes. Fans can expect to hear some of these songs alongside timeless tracks like “An American Dream” and, of course, “Fishin' in the Dark” during their final shows.

In a 2023 interview with NSMZ, founding member Jeff Hanna reflected on the significance of playing music for so many years, saying, “It's pretty humbling to think that we might have done something or been a part of something that had an impact on folks. I know I feel that way about the music that I love. It’s remarkable.”

The impact of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band cannot be overstated. Over the course of their career, they’ve not only shaped the sound of country and Americana music, but they’ve also influenced countless artists who followed in their footsteps. Hanna spoke humbly about the band’s role in passing the torch to younger generations to NSMZ saying:  “The concept of passing the torch is an absolutely wonderful thing. It's also nice to be able to sort of be riding along on that train with guys like Willie (Nelson). And the fact that I think that every young artist that I've pretty much ever run into always had kind and respectful things to say to us about what we'd done. And I try to return that favour. I try to be encouraging to folks that are coming up. And there's so many brilliant artists out there right now. It's mind boggling. There seems to be something in the water, you know?”

The band’s farewell tour is more than just a final tour—it’s a celebration of the music and the fans who have kept them on the road for so many years. It’s a thank you to those who have shared in the good times, the laughter, and the unforgettable memories along the way.

“Being able to give people something they love and they can bond over and that they can agree on is pretty powerful stuff. It's profound,” Hanna told NSMZ, “I'm pretty grateful for that. We all are. Our band is full of gratitude, trust me.”

As the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band prepares to say their final goodbye in Saskatoon, they’re taking all of us along for the ride - so come out and make it a night to remember.