• 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
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • 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
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • 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 by Kary Andrews of Bay Dreams Realty, who can be reached at 813-299-5307 or at [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."

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

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

Lt. Clay Huber was cheered by about 100 first responders and hospital personnel on Thursday.
  • August 6, 2026
Hospitalized Sarasota firefighter cheered upon his release from care
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
  • August 6, 2026
Voter organization to hold election information sessions
Workers install boat slips behind the vacant lot where the Buccaneer Restaurant is planned. Additional slips will be installed behind the Harbor Square office building pictured left.
  • August 6, 2026
Boat slip addition underway behind future Buccaneer Restaurant site

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

This Country Club Village home at 13718 Matanzas Place sold for $2.6 million. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, four- and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,894 square feet of living area.
  • August 4, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for July 20-24 in Lakewood Ranch
This Concession home at 19443 Beacon Park Place sold for $2.55 million. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,459 square feet of living area.​
  • July 28, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for July 13-17 in Lakewood Ranch
This home in Wild Blue at Waterside at 600 Blue Shell Loop sold for $3.55
million.  Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,979 square feet of living area.
  • July 21, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for July 6-10 in Lakewood Ranch
This Lake Club home at 17238 Salerno Drive sold for $3 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,754 square feet of living area.
  • July 14, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for June 29-July 3 in Lakewood Ranch
  • July 9, 2026
For Sale: 3809 Founders Club Drive, Sarasota
This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 8380 Sea Glass Court sold for $2.46 million. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,159 square feet of living area.
  • July 7, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for June 22-26 in Lakewood Ranch

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.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free