Nitty Gritty Dirt Band • June 14, 2026 • Sandy Amphitheater
Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe
For nearly six decades, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has occupied a unique place in American music, blending country, folk, and rock into a sound that has influenced generations of artists. Their appearance at Sandy Amphitheater as part of their “All The Good Times” Farewell Tour, “60 Years of Dirt,” was more than just another concert stop. It felt like a celebration of a remarkable career. And this was indeed their final tour stop in Utah, a chance for fans to say thank you to a band whose music has become part of countless lives.
The beautiful summer evening provided the perfect setting for the show. Sandy Amphitheater’s intimate atmosphere allowed fans to feel close to the performers, creating an experience that felt personal from the start. Concertgoers filled the venue well before showtime, many sharing stories about when they first discovered the band’s music. The audience included longtime fans who had followed the group for decades as well as younger listeners who had inherited an appreciation for the music from family members.
When the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band took the stage, the crowd greeted them with enthusiastic applause. It quickly became clear that while this may be a farewell tour, the musicians were not slowing down. NGDB delivered a performance filled with energy, precision, and the kind of confidence that only comes from years of experience. The band on this tour consisted of original members, Jeff Hanna and Jimmie Fadden, along with classic member since 1979, Bob Carpenter. Jaime Hanna, Ross Holmes, and Jim Photoglo shouldered the rest of the weight performing in Nitty Gritty Dirt Band since 2018. Every member contributed to a rich and layered sound that showcased the band’s incredible musical versatility.
Guitarist, vocalist, and son of Jeff, Jaime Hanna made this heartfelt intro, “Teenagers fresh out of high school with a passion for music. They kept this thing on the road through multiple genres, singing, writing, producing, and keeping everybody in line. I’m super honored to be a part of this. I grew up on this music, as you might imagine. I owe it all to this guy. Please give it up for my dad, Jeff Hanna.” The intro was met by loud applause and a standing ovation.
Jeff thanked the crowd and shared that it has meant a lot playing in Utah over the past 60 years. It was amazing to hear how great Hanna still sounds both vocally and on the guitar. It’s hard to believe that they’ll stop touring because the band still sounds so good.
The musicianship throughout the evening was exceptional. Whether it was intricate acoustic guitar work, lively fiddle passages, harmonica solos, or perfectly blended vocal harmonies, every performance element served the songs beautifully. The arrangements felt both polished and authentic, allowing the music to remain the focus. Rather than relying on elaborate production, the band let their talent and chemistry carry the show. The set seemed to fly by as songs like “Girl From the North Country” and “Mr. Bojangles” delighted the audience.
One of the audience’s favorite moments during the set was when they played a song not necessarily made famous by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. If you’ve heard “Bless the Broken Road,” chances are you’ve heard it performed by Rascal Flatts. The truth of the matter is the song was written by Jeff Hanna and some others. So it was a real treat when the band decided to play it for the Sandy Amphitheater audience. Sung by Bob Carpenter, the song felt genuine and authentic, and I have to say it was my favorite version. The performance drew another loud applause.
Following “Bless the Broken Road”, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band brought the show to its zenith. While the band has a huge catalog of amazing tracks, no song brought collective smiles to thousands of faces like “Fishing in the Dark” did. It was fun to see prolific songwriter Jim Photoglo in the band since 2018, observing how much fans were enjoying this song.
People rose to their feet, dancing and singing along to the feel-good song. I’d imagine so many memories passed through the fans’ heads of some of their favorite moments hearing this song. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band gave the audience ample time to get into the song and even gave them a chorus of their own to sing to. I loved just looking around and seeing everyone in the amphitheater take it in. If this was the last time hearing this song live, they definitely did not waste the moment.
They kept the momentum going by following “Fishing in the Dark” with another crowd favorite, “An American Dream.” This song has a real Jimmy Buffett feel to it. People were swaying arm in arm, holding their drinks high in the air. It was a tropical moment in the desert.
As the concert moved toward its conclusion, the significance of the farewell tour became more apparent. Every song carried a little extra weight. Knowing that opportunities to see the band perform together may soon become increasingly rare. Yet there was never a sense of sadness. Instead, the evening felt like a celebration of everything the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has accomplished and the countless lives their music has touched.
The show ended perfectly with one of my favorite songs, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” The audience sang along as we began to feel the finality of the evening and of our time seeing the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band live. It’s been a great run. To see them on such a perfect evening in Sandy, Utah, was a beautiful way to wrap things up.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s stop at Sandy Amphitheater was everything a farewell tour performance should be. It honored the band’s legacy while reminding everyone why their music has remained relevant for so many years. Filled with outstanding musicianship, heartfelt moments, and timeless songs, the concert was a memorable celebration of a remarkable career and a fitting tribute to the good times shared between the band and their fans.