On July 24, 2025, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band brought their “All The Good Times: The Farewell Tour” to the Chesterfield Amphitheater in Chesterfield, Missouri, delivering a night of heartfelt Americana that resonated deeply with a devoted crowd. As part of their farewell-to-the-road tour, the performance was a bittersweet celebration of the band’s nearly 60-year legacy, blending reimagined classics with newer works that showcased their enduring musical prowess.
The evening kicked off with an energetic set from special guest Brit Taylor, whose soulful voice and authentic country roots warmed up the audience perfectly. By 6:30 PM, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the Chesterfield Amphitheater was buzzing with anticipation. The open-air venue, nestled in the heart of Missouri, provided an intimate yet vibrant setting, though some fans noted the unpredictability of St. Louis weather as a potential downside for outdoor shows. Thankfully, the night stayed clear, allowing the music to take center stage.
The current lineup—featuring founding members Jeff Hanna (guitar, vocals) and Jimmie Fadden (harmonica, drums), alongside longtime member Bob Carpenter (keyboards, accordion), Jim Photoglo, Jaime Hanna, and Ross Holmes—proved why the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band remains a cornerstone of American roots music. Their setlist was a masterclass in storytelling, weaving through folk, country, bluegrass, and rock with seamless precision. Classics like “Mr. Bojangles,” a Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, elicited nostalgic sing-alongs, while “Fishin’ in the Dark,” co-written by Photoglo, had the crowd on their feet, swaying to its infectious rhythm.
Ross Holmes’ fiddle and mandolin work was a standout, often stealing the spotlight with fiery solos that complemented Fadden’s harmonica in a way that felt both fresh and timeless. The younger members, Jaime Hanna and Holmes, injected a vibrant energy, harmonizing tightly with the seasoned veterans. Fan reviews from other stops on the tour, like Boise’s Egyptian Theatre, echoed this sentiment, praising the band’s ability to make every performance feel personal and momentous. One attendee in Chesterfield described the show as “crisp as an Autumn apple,” a fitting metaphor for the band’s sharp, soulful delivery.
The set wasn’t without its reflective moments. As Jimmie Fadden shared in a recent interview, the physical demands of touring after six decades are undeniable, and this farewell tour is a nod to that reality. Yet, the band’s passion was unwavering, with Hanna’s warm vocals and Carpenter’s accordion flourishes adding layers of depth to songs from their seminal Will the Circle Be Unbroken series. The audience, a mix of longtime fans and younger listeners, connected deeply with the music’s rural American roots, a testament to the band’s ability to bridge generations.
While some fans at other venues noted occasional tiredness in the band’s demeanor, the Chesterfield performance felt anything but uninspired. The intimate rapport between the band and the audience created an atmosphere of shared history, with fans like Tim from Chesterfield hoping for future indoor shows to avoid weather risks. Post-show, Ross Holmes was spotted engaging with fans, even snapping photos with one wearing a vintage NGDB shirt, reinforcing the band’s down-to-earth charm.
In all, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Chesterfield stop was a triumphant celebration of their legacy, blending nostalgia with vitality. For a band bidding farewell to the road, they left no doubt that their music will endure, as one fan put it, “always and forever.” If you’re catching them on this final tour, expect a night where the past and present collide in the best possible way.
