When Grammy-winning artist, guitarist, and producer Buddy Miller makes a recommendation, you listen. That’s exactly what Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder Jeff Hanna did when Miller called to share a song. The track was “Night After Night,” penned by Paul Kennerley and Daniel Tashian, and it instantly struck a chord with the band.
“My friend, Buddy Miller, sent me the tune ‘Night After Night,’ written by two of my favorites: Paul Kennerley and Daniel Tashian,” recalls Hanna. “The band’s response was an immediate ‘Oh, hell yes!’”
The result is a Tom Petty-inspired rocker that channels the Dirt Band’s signature energy while leaning into fresh territory. It also marks the group’s first release of all-new music since 2009’s Speed of Life, following their critically acclaimed 2022 tribute record, Dirt Does Dylan.
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Produced by Jerry Douglas
Produced by Grammy winner and dobro virtuoso Jerry Douglas, the new single is brimming with chemistry. Douglas, who first crossed paths with the Dirt Band at age 19 and later played on their first number one hit “Long Hard Road,” brought both experience and artistry to the studio.
Joining Hanna on the track are longtime bandmates Jimmie Fadden (drums), Bob Carpenter (harmony vocals, Hammond organ), Jaime Hanna (electric guitar, harmony vocals), and Ross Holmes (mandolin), alongside special guests Viktor Krauss on acoustic and Tic-Tac bass and Douglas himself on lap steel guitar.
“Night after night, I’m so blue / Can’t even dream my dreams of you,” Hanna sings with cool conviction as the band drives a steady, infectious groove. “It’s right in our wheelhouse, and it’s pretty easy to tell what a blast we had playing and singing it,” Hanna shares.
Night After Night EP
The Night After Night EP is set for release on October 24, 2025. Recorded at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville and The Tractor Shed Studio in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, the project was mixed by Sean Sullivan with Hanna and Douglas.
The five-track collection includes three songs co-written by Jeff Hanna, with contributions from his wife, acclaimed songwriter Matraca Berg, and his son and bandmate Jaime Hanna. Jeff takes the lead on three songs, while Jaime fronts the other two.
Fans can stream or purchase the single now, and pre-order or pre-save the EP. Limited vinyl copies featuring a special etched design, along with CDs, are available through the band’s official store.
Tracklist
- Night After Night
- Nashville Skyline (feat. Matraca Berg)
- If You Hang Around Long Enough
- Peace and Quiet
- For All The Good It Did
On the Road: The Farewell Tour
The Dirt Band is in the midst of their ALL THE GOOD TIMES: The Farewell Tour, continuing their celebrated run of live shows. Upcoming stops include Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco, dates across the U.S. and Canada, and a March 2026 appearance on the Outlaw Country Cruise.
For tickets and a full list of tour dates, fans can visit nittygritty.com/tour.
A Legacy of Nearly Six Decades
Formed in 1966, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has spent almost 60 years weaving together folk, country, rock, bluegrass, and Americana. With classics like “Mr. Bojangles,” “Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper’s Dream),” “Modern Day Romance,” “Workin’ Man (Nowhere To Go),” and “Fishin’ in the Dark,” they’ve become synonymous with American roots music.
Now, as the CMA and IBMA Award-winning band celebrates their farewell tour, they’re also showing fans that their artistry continues to thrive with new music. Night After Night is both a look back and a step forward, honoring the past while embracing what’s still to come.
