Jeff Hanna | Nitty Gritty Dirt Band | Denver, Colorado | June 18th, 2026 – photos by Debra Lambert
Ooh-wee, ride me high. Thursday night’s final show of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s All the Good Times: The Farewell Tour at The Mission Ballroom in Denver left diehard Dirt fans on a high note of misty-eyed, heartfelt smiles.
It’s been 60 years for these guys, from their roots in Long Beach, California, to becoming America’s best troubadours of Americana music, and a perfect blend of… is it folk or rock or country?! And yes, it’s because of them — thanks to their 1972 landmark album Will the Circle Be Unbroken, a collaboration between these California hippies with a love and respect for old-time music, bluegrass, and country legends — that you know about Mother Maybelle Carter, Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Vassar Clements, and know the words to “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” and can shake it to “Orange Blossom Special.” Two other collaborative Circle albums followed, in 1989 and 2002.
They’ve had several iterations and changes of personnel over the decades, with the constants being founding members Jeff Hanna (guitar and vocals) and Jimmie Fadden (drums, harmonica, vocals), best friends for over 60 years. Jeff said to the audience that they figured they have spent more time with each other than with any other humans! Newbie Bob Carpenter (keyboards, accordion, vocals) joined them full-time in 1980, and they’ve hit a resonant combination that now includes Jaime Hanna (Jeff’s son — fabulous singer and lead guitarist, formerly of The Mavericks), Ross Holmes (fiddle, mandolin, vocals — formerly of Mumford & Sons and Bruce Hornsby, to name just a few), and songsmith Jim Photoglo (bass and vocals).
Known for being gracious collaborators, they made this a rich night of music and talent with special guests Alison Brown, for banjo flair extraordinaire; Molly Tuttle, finger-picking guitarist and vocal queen; and Tommy Emmanuel, renowned Australian acoustic guitarist, which made for so many strings being played so well. Thanks to The Mission Ballroom’s state-of-the-art acoustics, the band’s skilled techies, and expert musicianship, every note was resonant, crisp, and clear.
They started out with a feel-good, classic trio of “You Ain’t Going Nowhere,” “Partners, Brothers and Friends,” and “Cosmic Cowboy.” This reviewer had to dance from the get-go, although the venue was set up as all seating. ; ) Then, their Billboard No. 1 single, Rodney Crowell’s “Long Hard Road,” hit us in the feels, as they can do, continuing with “Stand A Little Rain.” Bob Carpenter’s voice has never sounded better. Wow!…