Saturday, April
21, 2001 in the Whitney Chapel at Centenary College
The Del McCoury Band
"Live from the Skylands"
Saturday, April 21, 2001
In the Whitney Chapel at Centenary College
400 Jefferson St., Hackettstown, NJ
Showtime 8:00PM
Ticket $20.00 in advance / $24.00 at the door
Call 1-877-595-2637 for tickets and info
Tickets available April 1, 2001 at:
GREENE BROTHERS Specialty Coffee Roasters
TWO LOCATIONS
313 High St., Hackettstown, NJ (908)979-0022
and 31 Theatre Centre, Sparta, NJ (973)726-8800 www.mokaman.com
The Del McCoury Band
When talking traditional bluegrass, its hard to find an article, review, or feature that doesn't use the Del McCoury Band synonymously with "high lonesome". It could be said that Del is the definition of "high lonesome". For over 30 years, Del McCoury has been actively playing Bluegrass Music. Since his apprenticeship with Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys in the '50s, he has played with some of the best bands in Bluegrass.
Del has been recording and performing for four decades. Early in his career he was a member of the Bluegrass Boys, playing
guitar and singing with Bill Monroe. In the early 60's he formed his own band, The Dixie Pals, and went on to establish himself as one of the most distinctive and recognizable performers in bluegrass. Stringent rhythm guitar and piercing lead vocals have made Del a cornerstone of traditional bluegrass music. The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) accorded Del the Male Vocalist of the Year three years consecutively. Currently Del is touring as The Del McCoury Band with sons Ronnie and Robbie on mandolin and banjo, Jason Carter on fiddle, and Mike Bub on bass.
In a recent interview Del was asked about his preference for the blues. "The blues have a lot in them for a singer. There's more melody that you can get out of a slow, bluesy tune. You can turn it and twist it and this and that. I like to see what I can get out of it." Whether it is bluesy, hard-driving, or high lonesome, what he get out if it is making some of the hottest bluegrass heard today.
In 1981 Ronnie joined The Del McCoury Band as a vocalist and mandolin player. The tight vocal harmonies of Del and Ronnie
will spur chills on any given night. Instrumentally, Ronnie is one of the premier mandolin players in bluegrass and a sought after studio musician. Ronnie is IBMA's Mandolin Player of the Year for 1993 and 1994. Winning this award two years straight makes Ronnie and Sam Bush the only winners since the award's inception.
In 1987 Robbie joined the band, first as the bassist, then two years later switching to banjo. Robbie has been called "one of the most exciting and masterful new interpreters of Scruggs-style banjo picking". Robbie has bee4n a finalist in the Banjo Player of the Year category for three years running.
Mike Bub, bass and harmony vocals, and Jason Carter, fiddle, round out the Del McCoury band. Mike has performed and
recorded with many well respected bands. Being an accomplished banjo player as well, he brings an innate sense of rhythm to the band. Jason is the newest and youngest member, joining the band in 1992. Playing in the bluesy style of many of the
bluegrass pioneers, Jason's fiddle playing is right at home.
Though anchored by Del's strong vocals, the group as a whole has been recognized by the IBMA as finalist in every category
possible, excluding only the Female Vocalist of the Year Award. In addition to Ronnie's award for Mandolin Player of the
Year, the band walked away with awards for Album of the Year (A Deeper Shade of Blue) and Entertainer of the Year for
1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000. Recently the McCourys have made several appearances on The Nashville Network as guests on Music City Tonight, The American Music Shop, Crook & Chase, Country Music News, and the Americana Network on Ronnie Reno's Old Time Music Festival, as well as The Grand Ole Opry. Touring extensively, the band
performs year-round throughout the United States and abroad.