John McEuen
John McEuen, born December 19, 1945, in Oakland, California, is a celebrated multi-instrumentalist, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and a trailblazer in Americana and bluegrass music. A master on banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and more, he helped shape the genre with the landmark album Will the Circle Be Unbroken and drove nearly six decades of performances, solo albums, and genre-defining collaborations. Known for his virtuosic musicianship and enduring influence, McEuen has earned accolades including induction into both the Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame and the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame, a Grammy for producing Steve Martin’s The Crow, a Children’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and an Independent Music Award for his solo work.