Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Since 1966, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has basically lived on the road, and though its technically not breaking up, the traveling portion is all about to end now that the “All The Good Times: The Farewell” Tour is in full swing, including a near capacity stop at the stunningly restored Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet.

Co-founding singer/guitarist Jeff Hanna and drummer Jimmie Fadden led the latest lineup of longtime keyboardist Bob Carpenter, plus bassist Jim Photoglo, guitarist Jaime Hanna (Jeff’s son) and fiddle/mandolin player Ross Holmes, who ensured the Southern California group’s country, folk and rock roots sounded exactly like they should throughout nearly two hours.

Bob Dylan’s “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” started the show by tapping into the guys’ affinity for the timeless troubadour, a trend that continued a little later on “Girl From The North Country,” culled from their most recent “Dirt Does Dylan” album.

Though the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s never been afraid to broadcast its influences, such as the groundbreaking “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” series co-starring Mother Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Emmylou Harris, Taj Mahal and Levon Helm, the triple Grammy Award winners’ impact ranks right up there amongst the greats.

“Partners, Brothers And Friends,” “Cosmic Cowboy” and “Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper’s Dream)” were just a few of its character-driven classics, while nobody does the accordion-accented “Mr. Bojangles” quite like this now multi-generational mixture of musicians.

Many may recall Rascal Flatts’ rendition of the ballad “Bless The Broken Road,” but make no mistake, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band were indeed the originators, as an acoustic take so wonderfully demonstrated, just as they were to the fiery “Fishin’ In The Dark,” which has since been covered by the one and only Garth Brooks.

The variety-filled retrospective also tapped into the troupe’s ability to jam well beyond standard length, whether it was the bluegrass-framed “Take Me In Your Life Boat,” several solos skipping their way across “Ripplin’ Waters” or a similarly swampy guitar meets harmonica duel.

As they pondered the customary encore, “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band may have technically waved goodbye to the area, but at least fans could find solace in the fact the members went out on top of their groundbreaking game.

For additional information on Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, visit NittyGritty.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Rialto Square Theatre include “Sesame Street” Live! (May 15); Pat McGann (May 17); Uriah Heep and Saxon (May 18); Brad Williams (May 19); Classic Seger (May 22); Maddie & Tae (Jun. 6); Night Ranger (Jun. 9); “Wheel Of Fortune” Live! (Oct. 10); Illinois Rock & Roll Museum Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony (Oct. 20); Vitamin String Quartet (Oct. 22); “Haunted Objects” Live! (Oct. 23); Marc Maron (Oct. 24); 1964 The Tribute (Nov. 8); Kansas (Nov. 9); Nurse Blake (Nov. 11); “Menopause The Musical 2” (Nov. 12); Dean Z (Dec. 14); Hairball (Dec. 27) and Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood (Jan. 4). For additional details, visit RialtoSquare.com.

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