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JIMMY IBBOTSON
Now retired from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jimmy Ibbotson (who goes by "Ibby") was a longstanding member who helped pen quite a few of their greatest hits, such as their first top ten Country hit "Dance Little Jean." An American institution, NGDB has had numerous accolades throughout its 41 years, among them being the first band to tour the Soviet Union in 1977. Ibby tells me, "They liked NGDB because we embodied American music in many of its forms: Blues, Cajun, Bluegrass, Country and Rock. I went back to the USSR with them and Marc O'Connor after the string of Country hits in the '80s, four of which I wrote... The wall fell in Berlin a couple of years later. Coincidence? I think not."
Ibby now lives in Woody Creek and recently came out with the solo release Canyon, which was largely recorded and produced at his home studio Unami. A colorful character, he's worked with many fellow legendary artists, such as the Cashes and Maybelle Carter, and has had close relationships with other creative icons, such as Hunter S. Thompson, whose Owl Creek Farm was just down the road. "I first met him in 1971," Ibby relates. "He'd just lost the race for Pitkin County Sheriff. He had just bought the Owl Farm, where he ended up shooting himself." Ibby goes on to relate a few great, humorous Hunter stories noting that he had a twinkle in his eye, a ready joke, and a brilliant mind. "When either of us ran out of hope... we could knock on a door or a kitchen window at any hour." At the memorial service, Ibby sang "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" with Johnny Depp as Depp shot Hunter's ashes onto the mesa.
It seems a heavy weight still clings to his heart about leaving NGDB, calling himself "too old and weak" to keep up with their demanding tour schedule, pointing to an injury he received while surfing that caused him to have a steel shoulder replacement in 2001. He's now focused for success as a solo artist, finding places in the Rockies to sing. "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.