Tag Archives: Byron Gregory

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: Will the Circle be Unbroken

In November 1972, “United Artists” label released “Will the Circle be Unbroken”, the seventh Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (The) album. It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by William McEuen.

Pertsonnel:

  • Jimmy Martin – lead vocal, guitar 
  • John McEuen – banjo, mandolin
  • Randy Scruggs – autoharp, guitar, background vocals
  • Jim Ibbotson – guitar, drums, snare, background vocals
  • Roy Acuff – lead vocal
  • Merle Travis – lead and background vocals
  • Vassar Clements – fiddle
  • Les Thompson – mandolin, background vocals
  • Jimmie Fadden – harmonica
  • Roy “Junior” Huskey – bass 
  • Elis Padget – bass
  • Jeff Hanna – washboard, background vocals
  • Gary Scruggs, Ray Martin, Timmy Martin, Betty Travis, Fred Cross, Gloria Belle, Louise Scruggs, Steve Scruggs, Chet Flippo, Martha Flippo, Larry Murray, Mike Carr, Alice McEuen – background vocals
  • Mother Maybelle Carter – lead vocal, guitar 
  • Doc Watson – guitar, background vocals 
  • Pete “Oswald” Kirby – dobro
  • Norman Blake – dobro
  • Earl Scruggs – banjo 
  • Rex Collier, Rick Horton – recording
  • Dino Lappas – engineer
  • Garry Mullen – mixing
  • Arnie Acosta, Douglas Sax – mastering
  • William E. McEuen – art direction, design, photography
  • Kittyhawk Graphics – graphics
  • Dean O. Torrence – graphics, design
  • Jack Hurst liner notes
  • Chet Flippo – liner notes
  • Alice McEuen – producer assistant

Track listing:

  1. Grand Ole Opry Song – Hylo Brown
  2. Keep on the Sunny Side – A.P. Carter, Gary Garett
  3. Nashville Blues – Earl Scruggs
  4. You Are My Flower – A.P. Carter
  5. The Precious Jewel – Roy Acuff
  6. Dark as a Dungeon – Merle Travis
  7. Tennessee Stud – Jimmie Driftwood
  8. Black Mountain Rag – traditional
  9. Wreck on the Highway – Dorsey Dixon
  10. The End of the World – Fred Rose
  11. I Saw the Light – Hank Williams
  12. Sunny Side of the Mountain – Byron Gregory, Harry McAuliffe
  13. Nine-Pound Hammer – Merle Travis
  14. Losin’ You (Might Be the Best Thing Yet) – Edria A. Humphrey, Jimmy Martin
  15. Honky Tonkin’ – Hank Williams
  16. You Don’t Know My Mind – Jimmie Skinner
  17. My Walkin’ Shoes – Jimmy Martin, Paul Williams
  18. Lonesome Fiddle Blues – Vassar Clements
  19. Cannonball Rag – Merle Travis
  20. Avalanche – Millie Clements
  21. Flint Hill Special – Earl Scruggs
  22. Togary Mountain – Walter McEuen
  23. Earl’s Breakdown – Earl Scruggs
  24. Orange Blossom Special – Ervin T. Rouse
  25. Wabash Cannonball – A.P. Carter
  26. Lost Highway – Leon Payne
  27. Doc Watson & Merle Travis First Meeting (Dialogue)
  28. Way Downtown – traditional, Doc Watson
  29. Down Yonder – arr. Doc Watson
  30. Pins and Needles (In My Heart) – Floyd Jenkins
  31. Honky Tonk Blues – Hank Williams
  32. Sailin’ on to Hawaii – Beecher Kirby
  33. I’m Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes – A.P. Carter
  34. I am a Pilgrim – traditional
  35. Wildwood Flower – A.P. Carter
  36. Soldier’s Joy – John McEuen, Earl Scruggs
  37. Will the Circle Be Unbroken – A.P. Carter
  38. Both Sides Now – Joni Mitchell