Kenneth john mceuen biography
John McEuen
American singer-songwriter
John McEuen | |
|---|---|
John McEuen playing the banjo | |
| Born | () December 19, (age&#;79) Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Country, folk, folk-rock, bluegrass |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, producer |
| Instrument(s) | Banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, piano, accordion, vocals |
| Years active | –present |
| Labels | Warner Bros., Vanguard, Cedar Glen, Planetary, Aix, Rural Rhythm |
| Formerly of | Nitty Gritty Dirt Band |
| Website | |
Musical artist
John McEuen, born December 19, , in Oakland, California, is an American folk musician and a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Career
Solo work
John McEuen was born in Oakland, California. In , at age 18, he became interested in music after seeing a performance by the Dillards, and learned to play the banjo. Eventually, he took an interest in fiddle and mandolin. In , after twenty years with the Dirt Band, McEuen departed to pursue a solo career. From –, he released four albums for Vanguard Records. He composed music for movies and television and he appeared as a guest on albums with several artists including five albums with Michael Martin Murphey. He then returned to the Dirt Band in [1] McEuen departed the band once again in late [2]
Steve Martin
McEuen has known Steve Martin since high school, when he would give Martin occasional lessons on the banjo. In , he was asked by Martin to provide the backing band for a comic, novelty song called King Tut. With Martin on vocals, the Dirt Band recorded the song under the alias "The Toot Uncommons".[1]
McEuen produced and played on Martin's album The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo (Rounder, ). The album was Number 1 for seven months and won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album.[1]
Other ventures
McEuen published an autobiography in titled The Life I've Picked - A Banjo Player's Nitty Gritty Journey.[3]