Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will release Speed of Life, its first album in five years, on September 22. The album was recorded in Nashville’s Blackbird Studio and produced by George Massenburg and Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Jon Randall Stewart. The album features 13 tracks, including new tunes penned by the band (with help from a handful of friends) and two covers: the Woodstock classic ‘Going Up The Country’ and ‘Stuck In The Middle.’ In addition, the band nods to bluegrass progenitor Jimmy Martin, on the aptly named ‘Jimmy Martin.’ The group will appear at San Rafael, CAs Island Stage this Friday.