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The Life I've Picked: A Banjo Player's Nitty Gritty Journey
John McEuen is one of the founding members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, NGDB. Now 50-years strong, the band is best known for its evergreen bestselling album Will the Circle Be Unbroken and for its gorgeous version of the song “Mr. Bojangles.” McEuen is one of the seminal figures who conceived and originated the fusion of folk, rock and country, a unique sound still hugely popular today. In addition to performing on tour with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and on dozens of bestselling NGDB albums (many of which went platinum and gold), McEuen also has a successful solo performing and recording career. And as a music producer, he won the Grammy Award in 2010 for producing The Crow , a music album by Steve Martin, John’s lifelong friend. McEuen writes candidly and movingly about the ups and downs in his life. Among the highs was NGDB’s tour of the Soviet Union in 1977; they were the first American group to perform there. Among the downs was the breakup of his family in the 1980s. McEuen is a born storyteller, and his tales of working with everyone from Linda Ronstadt to Willie Nelson to Johnny Cash to the Allman Brothers to Bob Dylan to Dolly Parton to, of course, Steve Martin will thrill every fan of folk, rock, and country music alike.
- GenresNonfictionMusicMemoir
336 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2018
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218 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 4, 2018
Full disclosure: John's an old friend and played on two of my albums. That said, this one of the best music autobiographies I've ever read. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that when you KNOW the author, you're less inclined to gush--but the beauty of this book cannot be denied.
Unlike some music autobiographies, there is no debilitating addiction problem here--other than music itself. Sure, there are moments of titillation and surprise; juicy tidbits, moments of high hilarity and I'll admit I was moved to tears more than a few times. If you're familiar with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band--you'll love this look behind the scenes. But if you don't know their work, you'll still love the ride (and, dare I say, feel motivated to get at least of couple of their early albums such as Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy, Stars and Stripes Forever, Symphonium Dream--everyone has their favorite, mine is Uncle Charlie, I consider it The White Album of Country Rock).
This book should be read by anyone contemplating a career in music--or the arts in general. McEuen's talents are many, but they also include razor-sharp business acumen, ambition and a dogged sense of entrepreneurship--something his bandmates failed to adequately appreciate. There is acrimony and there are issues that must be addressed across 50 years of nonstop music-making. This is McEuen's opportunity to have his say and he does it fairly yet pulls few punches. He paid a personal price for pursuing his dream (divorce, sacrificing time with his kids)--but still managed to raise a fine, super-talented family and retain his sanity and sense of humor. That's rare in this business.
He name-drops out of necessity (it ain't braggin' if it's true) and yet his humility is never far away. American life is a constant series of reinventions. Few people have been able to pull that off like John McEuen: late in life he branched out into TV/Film scoring and quickly garnered an Emmy-nomination. He also won a Grammy for producing Steve Martin's banjo album The Crow as recently as 2009.
I can't wait to see what this banjophile dynamo does next.
Unlike some music autobiographies, there is no debilitating addiction problem here--other than music itself. Sure, there are moments of titillation and surprise; juicy tidbits, moments of high hilarity and I'll admit I was moved to tears more than a few times. If you're familiar with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band--you'll love this look behind the scenes. But if you don't know their work, you'll still love the ride (and, dare I say, feel motivated to get at least of couple of their early albums such as Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy, Stars and Stripes Forever, Symphonium Dream--everyone has their favorite, mine is Uncle Charlie, I consider it The White Album of Country Rock).
This book should be read by anyone contemplating a career in music--or the arts in general. McEuen's talents are many, but they also include razor-sharp business acumen, ambition and a dogged sense of entrepreneurship--something his bandmates failed to adequately appreciate. There is acrimony and there are issues that must be addressed across 50 years of nonstop music-making. This is McEuen's opportunity to have his say and he does it fairly yet pulls few punches. He paid a personal price for pursuing his dream (divorce, sacrificing time with his kids)--but still managed to raise a fine, super-talented family and retain his sanity and sense of humor. That's rare in this business.
He name-drops out of necessity (it ain't braggin' if it's true) and yet his humility is never far away. American life is a constant series of reinventions. Few people have been able to pull that off like John McEuen: late in life he branched out into TV/Film scoring and quickly garnered an Emmy-nomination. He also won a Grammy for producing Steve Martin's banjo album The Crow as recently as 2009.
I can't wait to see what this banjophile dynamo does next.
June 25, 2020
John MCeuen, the banjo (and mandolin and fiddle) player for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has had a long and varied career. He began his journey working in the Disneyland magic stores where he met fellow banjo player and comedian (and director and author) Steve Martin. The two were chess playing buddies and friends since high school. An admiration for Earl Scruggs led him to Bluegrass and country music where he made his mark helping to integrate it with folk music, rock and roll and other roots styles along with Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Linda Ronstadt, John Denver, Michael Nesmith, Jackson Browne, The Eagles and other pioneers. Along the way, he shared stages with heroes like Bill Monroe, Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Pete Seeger, Doug Dillard, Jimmy Martin, Vassar Clements, and The Carter Family to contemporaries like Jimmy Buffet, Levon Helm, Jose Feliciano, Tom Petty, Marty Stuart, Leon Russell, Gregg Allman and Ricky Skaggs, to younger acts like Phish and Primus. His story is both interesting and moving and full of the lessons he learned along the way. From appearing in the film of "Paint Your Wagon," to doing soundtracks for films by the likes of Tommy Lee Jones and Sissy Spacek, to making documentaries, being in the first American band to play in Russia, to campaigning with Presidential Candidates and the many unexpected people he met along the way its a fascinating ride. It also details the tensions, egos and fights which take place in a touring band and the reasons for his alienation from the band he helped found. An illuminating and gripping read. - BH.
August 2, 2018
A fun look into John McEuen's life, both in and out of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
August 26, 2021
John McEuen has every right to be bitter and angry, and maybe he is, but those emotions are missing from his engaging, humorous, and thoughtful narrative in his memoir, The Life I’ve Picked: A Banjo Player’s Nitty Gritty Journey. Although I went to school with two of his children, I was barely familiar with him and the NGDB by name. After reading this wonderful book, I realized I was familiar with him through his music and all the amazing musicians who inspired him.
This book is full of celebrities, but McEuen doesn’t name-drop to impress. He shares his experiences with his friends, mentors, and family to explain how he treated others and sought to be treated. His stories about his life-long friend Steve Martin (yeah, the banjo-picker, comedian, actor one) as well as scores of musicians such as Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Maybelle Carter, and Willie Nelson, contrast with the toxic relationships that grew within NGDB’s 50-year run. That he tolerated the toxicity for so long in order to continue making music with a band he founded speaks volumes about the man. Yet, his choices to tolerate it on the road as a working musician at the expense of time at home also paints a picture.
That picture is of a complicated person. I’ve read several biographies and memoirs in the last few years and the good ones—McConaughey, Shaun T, Noah, Fisher, Gaffigan, and Field—reveal conflict, vulnerabilities, and the complexities of life. McEuen’s memoir is now part of this list. I definitely recommend it. He has certainly “changed the world, five strings at a time,” and to read how he did it and continues doing it in his own words is a treat.
This book is full of celebrities, but McEuen doesn’t name-drop to impress. He shares his experiences with his friends, mentors, and family to explain how he treated others and sought to be treated. His stories about his life-long friend Steve Martin (yeah, the banjo-picker, comedian, actor one) as well as scores of musicians such as Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Maybelle Carter, and Willie Nelson, contrast with the toxic relationships that grew within NGDB’s 50-year run. That he tolerated the toxicity for so long in order to continue making music with a band he founded speaks volumes about the man. Yet, his choices to tolerate it on the road as a working musician at the expense of time at home also paints a picture.
That picture is of a complicated person. I’ve read several biographies and memoirs in the last few years and the good ones—McConaughey, Shaun T, Noah, Fisher, Gaffigan, and Field—reveal conflict, vulnerabilities, and the complexities of life. McEuen’s memoir is now part of this list. I definitely recommend it. He has certainly “changed the world, five strings at a time,” and to read how he did it and continues doing it in his own words is a treat.
November 19, 2018
In addition to being a talented and dedicated musician and showman, John McEuen proves here that he's a fine story teller as well. The book is chocked full of humorous and meaningful anecdotes and he doesn't shy away from the type of controversies that plague all bands that have spent decades together. It reads like a road trip that rips through every imaginable venue, but tries to stay on the road. It's centered on McEuen's love of music and where it has taken him. Any ''picker'' or fan of bluegrass will find surprising looks at his heroes here, and how they intersect with John's varied adventures.
May 3, 2018
John McEuen has been an idol of mine for years. Not just as a banjo player (he's my favorite after Earl Scruggs), but as a great storyteller. This book is a collection of memories from the time he spent in high school with Steve Martin (they worked at the magic shop at Disneyland together and John got Steve started in playing banjo) to the current day and John's departure from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. John is consumed by music of all kinds, and his road stories are memorable. If you're a music fan, or you just like good story-telling, pick this one up.
August 2, 2019
Really enjoyed John's stories of the road and the many people he has met (everybody) and worked with (everybody else). Was a little saddened by some of the inner band conflicts but, this is apparently the way of working together for so long. John has been visiting locally lately in support if the new Ken Burn's documentary on Country Music and, I've had to miss him every time. Well written and humorous at times. If enjoy musical journeys you'll enjoy this page turner.
July 22, 2018
I had the pleasure of seeing John perform here in Denver earlier this year; ironically it was Steve Martin who made me decide to go out and buy a banjo. I had no idea these two were buddies but it seems right that they are. John writes like he performs; with a great sense of humor, candid and straight from his heart.
February 18, 2025
I have seen John in concert at least a dozen times. Just saw him here in Phoenix at the MIM. John stole every show while playing with the NGDB and has huge accomplishments as a solo artist. From his time at the Magic Shop working with Steve Martin to the present day. He has led a full and distinguished life.
November 24, 2020
Strangely Disappointing.
I Was looking forward to reading this bio since I've always been a fan of John McEuen's banjo playing and was an early fan of his group The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Unfortunately as a writer/storyteller he is a pretty good banjo player. The prose is dry and lifeless, even when the events being related are intrinsically interesting. He has had many musical adventures and rubbed shoulders with many famous and talented people but basically the book is just plain dull.
I Was looking forward to reading this bio since I've always been a fan of John McEuen's banjo playing and was an early fan of his group The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Unfortunately as a writer/storyteller he is a pretty good banjo player. The prose is dry and lifeless, even when the events being related are intrinsically interesting. He has had many musical adventures and rubbed shoulders with many famous and talented people but basically the book is just plain dull.
September 26, 2019
This book reads in John McEuen's voice. It's entertaining, thoughtful, and a memoir which spans decades in the music business. NGDB fans might not like everything McEuen has to say but I really liked the history and background.
July 17, 2021
Entertaining
Want to read
March 13, 2018I LOVE THE MUSICIANS STORIES..I GREW UP ON NITTY GRITTY LOVED THE BOOK AND STORY.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews