JEFF HANNA (nominated for Song of the Year) Jeff Hanna is a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, in which he is a lead vocalist and guitarist. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band began as the New Coast Two when Hanna and Bruce Kunkel joined together while they were still in high school. They soon met Ralph Barr, Les Thompson, Jimmie Fadden and Jackson Browne. They became the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in late 1965, and began playing jug band music at local clubs. Browne left after a few months to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by John McEuen. With Bill McEuen's guidance, the group landed a recording contract with Liberty Records and released their self-titled debut album in April of 1967. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has had seven CMA Award nominations and won the 1989 CMA Album of the Year Award for Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Volume 2. Hanna is one of the co-writers of the CMA Song of the Year nominated “Bless the Broken Road.” Hanna is married to songwriter Matraca Berg.
CMA Nominations:
2005 Song of the Year "Bless The Broken Road" (Marcus Hummon, Bobby Boyd and Jeff Hanna)
(Bio and Award Listing courtesy the Country Music Association)
