Additional Coverage:
- 1980 Soft Rock Hit, With a Rising Singer Neil Young Adored, Still Sounds Magical 46 Years Later (parade.com)
In 1980, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band found itself exploring a new musical direction during a unique phase in its storied career. Temporarily rebranding as the Dirt Band, they embraced a smoother, soft rock sound that led to notable crossover hits, including “An American Dream” featuring Linda Ronstadt and “Make a Little Magic,” with the distinctive vocals of Nicolette Larson.
Released in the summer of 1980, “Make a Little Magic” climbed to number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100-a testament to its broad appeal that remains clear even decades later.
Written by Jeff Hanna, Richard Hathaway, and Bob Carpenter, the song invites listeners to set aside doubts and embrace the possibility of love. While Hanna takes the lead vocal, it’s Larson’s backing harmonies that add a vital layer of charm and warmth to the track.
Her contributions extend beyond this song to two others on the album, “Do It! (Party Lights)” and “Harmony.”
At just 27, Larson already boasted an impressive résumé, having collaborated with luminaries like Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and the Doobie Brothers. Her own rendition of Neil Young’s “Lotta Love” had achieved significant success, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Young himself held Larson’s talent in high regard, recalling her and Ronstadt’s harmonies on his recordings as birdlike and exceptional.
The Dirt Band’s transition toward soft rock marked a pivotal moment. Originally rooted in 1960s folk and jug-band music, then country rock, their late ’70s evolution toward a pop-friendly sound brought them hits on both pop and country charts. “An American Dream” and “Make a Little Magic” exemplified this crossover appeal, with the latter spending 16 weeks on the Hot 100 and peaking in August 1980.
This era served as a bridge to the band’s later return to their original name and a renewed focus on country music, yielding number one hits such as “Modern Day Romance” and “Fishin’ in the Dark.” Yet, “Make a Little Magic” remains a compelling snapshot of a band navigating between genres-melding country rock roots with California soft rock vibes, all elevated by Larson’s ethereal harmonies.
Even after more than four decades, that blend continues to work its special kind of magic.