We're featuring the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Sunday morning during the Country Classic Spotlight. So here's a little more about the Dirty Band.

Originally known as the "Illegitimate Jug Band" in 1966, the southern California-based Nitty Gritty Dirt Band quickly evolved into one of America's first successful country-rock groups.

The name of the band changed to the Dirt Band in 1976.

The band significantly affected Nashville's country music community.  They introduced such veteran artists as Roy Acuff, Mother Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson and Earl Scruggs to young rock-oriented audience as collaborators on their historic "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" album, a three disc set released on United Artists in 1972.

Recording for Warner Brothers, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band enjoyed a particularly strong hit streak on country radio during 1984 to 1990.  Their top five singles included: "Long Hard Road," High Horse, " Modern Day Romance," "Fishin' in the Dark" and "I've Been Lookin."

Join me Sunday morning at 11 a.m. December 30th for the music of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band as we wrap up 2012 on the 98 Country Classic Show on 98.1 FM, 98 Country.

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