• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band musician sells home along the Manatee River

John McEuen says it's time to part with his "Rambling River Retreat" in Bradenton.


  • By Jay Heater
  • | 5:10 p.m. March 26, 2019
  • East County
  • Real Estate
  • Share

It's a sad song, but John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.

The $2 million home is listed byĀ Kary Andrews of Bay Dreams Realty, who can be reached at 813-299-5307 or atĀ [email protected].

An open house will be held Thursday, April 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

McEuen was a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band who toured with the group for more than 50 years before retiring in 2017. He and his wife, Marilyn, bought three adjoining properties on the Manatee River and completely renovated the Lodge at "Rambling River Retreat."

ā€œLots of music was made in this wonderful serene retreat, but now it’s time to move on," he said in a release.Ā "We will definitely miss fish jumping, the birds, canoeing, kayaking and the inspiration that comes from this beautiful place.ā€

The $2 million property consists of 12 acres, including 1,500 feet along the winding shores of the Manatee River.

John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is selling his "Rambling River Retreat" home at 12709 Upper Manatee River Road in East County.

 

Latest News

Lockwood Ridge Road was closed near Gocio Road early Monday morning after a fatal incident between a vehicle and a pedestrian.
  • March 23, 2026
Pedestrian killed crossing Lockwood Ridge Road
The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board at a November meeting. Nick Gladding, third from the right, is stepping down as he prepares to take his oath of office for Town Commission on March 23.
  • March 23, 2026
Town to host meet and greet with board applicants
Manatee County staffers flew DJI drones in 2021 to help the town of Longboat Key monitor red tide blooms in the gulf.
  • March 23, 2026
Drone replacement costs add to Manatee County expenses
The the site of the proposed 1899 Fruitville apartment development is outlined in red.
  • March 19, 2026
Proposed apartments would replace Breakfast House and more on Fruitville

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Real Estate

A Lake Club home at 16218 Daysailor Trail sold for $2,499,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,025 square feet of living area.
  • March 17, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 2-6 in Lakewood Ranch
A Lakehouse Cove at Waterside home at 7947 Waterbend Trail sold for $1,827,000. Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and
3,654 square feet of living area.
  • March 10, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 23-27 in Lakewood Ranch
  • March 9, 2026
For Sale: 14215 Kinglet Terrace, Lakewood Ranch
This Country Club Village home at 7216 Pasadena Glen soldĀ for $3 million. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 5,038 square feet of living area.
  • March 3, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 16-20 in Lakewood Ranch
This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 508 Blue Shell Loop sold for $2.4
million. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,028 square feet of living area.
  • February 24, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 9-13 in Lakewood Ranch
Sponsored Content
  • February 20, 2026
For Sale: 16111 Daysailor Trail Lakewood Ranch FL

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now