Jeff Hanna | |
|---|---|
 Hanna performing with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Jeffrey R. Hanna (1947-07-11)July 11, 1947 (age 78) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Origin | Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Country,folk,rock |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, drums |
| Years active | 1966 – present |
| Member of | Nitty Gritty Dirt Band |
Spouse | |
Jeffrey R. Hanna (born July 11, 1947) is an American singer-songwriter and performance musician, best known for his association with theNitty Gritty Dirt Band. His professional music career has spanned six decades.
Hanna 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 ajug band that ultimately evolved into the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.[2]
He 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 andwashboard 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, andbaritone), arranger, and producer.[3]
In addition to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, his credits include work with artists such asLinda 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, andSteve Martin.[3]
In 2006, his composition "Bless the Broken Road", co-written withMarcus Hummon and Bobby Boyd in 1994, won aGrammy 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]
Two children were born to Hanna and first wife, Rae Taylor Hoyt. Their youngest son, visual artist Christopher Hanna, predeceased them in 2013.[6] Their older son is singer-songwriter and guitarist, Jaime Hanna, formerly a touring member ofthe Mavericks before founding the duoHanna-McEuen. He joined Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 2018.[7]
Hanna's second marriage was to Melody McNair. He has now been married toMatraca Berg since December 5, 1993. The couple met while touring withClint Black in the late 1980s. They live in Nashville, Tennessee.[5]
