Three-time Grammy award winning Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at SKyPAC. The performance is the kickoff to their “All the Good Times: The Farewell Tour.”

Three-time Grammy award-winner Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will kick off its “All the Good Times: The Farewell Tour” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at SKyPAC. 

The band, whose music is a combination of folk, country, rock ‘n’ roll, pop and bluegrass now known as “Americana,” is in its seventh decade. 

“Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has been making an impact on the music world for nearly 60 years,” said Makenzie Belcher, marketing assistant for Arts of Southern Kentucky. “They bring a unique blend of country and Americana together which has made them truly special. Their efforts have been honored and appreciated throughout the years, as they are multi-Grammy award recipients and beloved by many.”

The group, which formed in 1966 as a Long Beach, California, jug band, had its first charting single in 1967.

They are known for their timeless hits, including their first major hit in 1971,”Mr. Bojangles,” “Fishin’ In The Dark” and “An American Dream.” 

Singer and keyboard player Bob Carpenter, who joined the group in 1980, said the performance will include “everything from our very first single and a cut or two off our latest record.” 

“Something from every decade will be covered,” he said. “We’ll play some bluegrass, country hits, some roots music … if you can think of the genre, outside of rap and jazz, we will play it.” 

Carpenter said the idea for the tour, which already has around 60 shows scheduled this year, came about when the band left for the road during the pandemic not knowing if they would play music again.

“We knew we weren’t going to be playing music into our 90s, so we will be going into certain areas and cities letting them know this will be the last time we will be in their area,” he said. “With that being said, we have a lot of places to go, and we will see just how long we can keep it up. We just don’t want to miss an opportunity to say thanks to the folks.” 

In addition to Carpenter, the latest band lineup also includes founding member Jeff Hanna; harp master Jimmie Fadden; singer-songwriter-bassman Jim Photoglo; fiddle and mandolin player Ross Holmes; and singer and guitarist, Jaime Hanna, son of Jeff Hanna. 

Tickets may be purchased at theskypac.com and VIP packages are available.

Opening for the group is singer-songwriter Brit Taylor, who released her latest album, “Kentucky Blue,” in 2023.