Denver – Following the 1968 breakup of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, members John McEuen and Jeff Hanna decided to reform the band, and began a search for a singing drummer. Their search led them to the backstage of Hollywood's Troubadour where Jimmy Ibbotson was waiting to audition for another band, Pogo. They convinced Ibbotson to cancel this audition and join them instead. The result was the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s fifth album, Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy, which brought them their biggest success to date. This was only the start of Ibbotson’s contributions to the Band. When they crossed over to the country music market, their first top-ten country hit, "Dance Little Jean," came from Ibbotson’s pen, and he continued to write and sing many of the Band’s "anthems."

Over the course of the 27 albums the Band put out with Ibbotson, there were many accolades, including Grammy wins, Country Music Association wins, Academy of Country Music wins, and gold and platinum records. His songs have been recorded by other music greats such as John Denver and Emmylou Harris. Ibbotson retired from the Band in 2004, saying it was fun to be on stage with them but that, after the tragedy of 9/11, it became unbearable trying to get to those stages. He points to an injury he received while surfing that caused him to have a steel shoulder replacement in 2001, causing him to have to disrobe at every airport security checkpoint.

Ibbotson's voice is often credited with giving new country music a direction to model, an honor he appreciates since he has spent many years learning his craft through emulating his idols. He lives in Woody Creek and is now focused for success as a solo artist. His latest release, Canyon, was recorded and mixed largely in his home studio, Unami. "My talent is to be able to wend words of the simple truths in life with simple melodies, inspired by my first love, gospel music," he says. A true troubadour in the modern sense, Ibbotson's desire to leave the audience with a hot night to remember is evident to anyone lucky enough to catch a magical performance.

About Swallow Hill Music Association:
Helping people make music since 1979 years, Swallow Hill Music Association is one of the largest institutions of its kind in the United States as a source for folk, roots and acoustic music. With more than 2,100 members—some of whom are also volunteers—Swallow Hill provides a place to celebrate music that is rarely heard elsewhere in the Rocky Mountain Region. Three concert venues house more than 150 performances a year, featuring some of the world's great artists as well as up-and-coming new talent. The Julie Davis Music School at Swallow Hill provides a valuable and affordable extra-curricular educational resource to the community with more than 60 music instructors involved in more than 240 adult classes and 70 children's classes annually.

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