Jeffrey R. Hanna (born July 11, 1947) is an American singer-songwriter and performance musician, best known for his association with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. His professional music career has spanned seven decades.
| Jeff Hanna | |
|---|---|
 Hanna performing with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jeffrey R. Hanna |
| Born | July 11, 1947 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Origin | Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Country, folk, rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, drums |
| Years active | 1966 – present |
| Member of | Nitty Gritty Dirt Band |
| Spouse | |
Early life
editHanna was born in Detroit, Michigan.[1] In 1962, he moved with his family to Long Beach, California. As a high school student there, he and some friends started a jug band that ultimately evolved into the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.[2]
Musical career
editHe was one of the founders and is the longest-serving member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, where he has been a singer, songwriter, lead guitarist, drummer and washboard player. Through the years, he has been a major force in keeping the band together and maintaining its blend of folk, country and rock music.[1][2]
Hanna has over 380 recording credits, primarily as a composer, but also as a vocalist, guitarist (acoustic, electric, steel, slide, twelve-string, and baritone), arranger, and producer.[3]
In addition to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, his credits include work with artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Suzy Bogguss, The Texas Tenors, Patty Loveless, Rascal Flatts, Matraca Berg, Hannah Montana, Emmylou Harris, The Chieftains, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Earl Scruggs, Michael Martin Murphey, Dickey Betts, and Steve Martin.[3]
In 2006, his composition "Bless the Broken Road", co-written with Marcus Hummon and Bobby Boyd in 1994, won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song.[4] It has been recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Marcus Hummon, and, in the Grammy year, Rascal Flatts.[5]
Personal life
editHanna's children are visual artist Christopher Hanna, and Jaime Hanna. Jamie was formerly a touring member of the Mavericks before founding the duo Hanna-McEuen. He joined Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 2018.[6]
He has been married to Matraca Berg since December 5, 1993. The couple met while touring with Clint Black in the late 1980s. They live in Nashville, Tennessee.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b "Jeff Hanna Discography". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
- ^ a b Stambler, Irwin; Landon, Grelun, eds. (2000-07-14). "Dirt Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band". Country Music: The Encyclopedia. Macmillan. pp. 135–137. ISBN 9780312264871. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
- ^ a b "Jeff Hanna - Credits". allmusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
- ^ "Jeff Hanna - Awards". allmusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
- ^ a b "Jeff Hanna + Matraca Berg — Country's Greatest Love Stories". theboot.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
- ^ "Hanna-McEuen Biography". artistdirect.com. ARTISTdirect. Retrieved 2016-04-12.