The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's hit "Mr. Bojangles" is among the recordings being added to the GRAMMY Hall of Fame. The song, from the album "Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy," became the pop-country group's biggest hit, peaking at number nine on the Billboard pop chart in 1971. It's also perhaps the best-known rendition of the Jerry Jeff Walker song. The song is based on Walker's actual 1965 jail cell encounter with an elderly New Orleans street performer who, during their time locked up together, shared his life story. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Mr. Bojangles" is one of 25 rock, pop, R&B, jazz, and other recordings entering the Recording Academy's archives in 2010.Eligible recordings, which are selected by The Recording Academy Trustees, must be at least 25 years old and considered, quote, "of lasting qualitative or historical significance." Recording Academy President and CEO Neil Portnow says the newly inducted songs and albums, quote, "highlight a diverse array of masterpiece recordings that have had a profound impact on our musical history." He adds that the selections are, quote, "timeless staples that span six decades and represent a wide range of genres," and "they all greatly deserve to be memorialized." With the latest collection of inductees, the Grammy Hall of Fame has grown to 851 titles.
