Article Contributed by Ariel Rosemberg
Published on 2026-05-22
There are certain records that quietly reshape the future of a genre. Del and the Boys was one of them. On July 10, McCoury Music will celebrate the legacy of Del and the Boys with a newly expanded anniversary edition available on CD and digital platforms. The first single, “They Just Don’t Make the Blues Like They Used To,” is out now on all streaming platforms and can be heard here: found.ee/they-just-dont-make-
The release also includes three previously unreleased recordings newly mixed by Stephen Mougin, offering a deeper look into one of the band’s most important creative periods. Pre-save and preorder Del and the Boys here: found.ee/del-and-the-boys
Originally released at a pivotal moment for bluegrass, the album arrived as a new generation of listeners discovered acoustic music through festivals, tape trades, jam bands and late-night campground sets. While never abandoning the traditions at the heart of the music, Del McCoury and The Del McCoury Band helped push bluegrass into new spaces, influencing a wave of artists and audiences that still define roots music culture today.
“Back when we made Del and the Boys we weren’t thinking about anniversaries or any of that,” says Del McCoury. “We were just trying to make the best record we could and play the kind of music we loved. Looking back, I’m proud of how well these songs held up. Bringing it back out with a few songs people haven’t heard before feels like giving it a second life. I think you’re gonna hear it a little differently now, and that means a lot to me.”
The anniversary edition features the original album alongside three previously unreleased tracks: “The Stark Naked Blues,” “They Just Don’t Make the Blues Like They Used To,” and “Long Enough” featuring Lee Ann Womack. Rather than sounding like outtakes, the recordings feel fully connected to the world of Del and the Boys - extending the story of an album that never really stopped finding new listeners.
More than two decades later, the album’s impact still resonates across bluegrass, Americana and festival culture. The collaborative spirit, adventurous picking and emotional honesty that helped define The Del McCoury Band during that era can still be heard in today’s generation of string bands and roots artists. This is especially true now as thousands of fans are gathered at DelFest in Cumberland, MD, the McCoury Family’s annual festival. For photos of DelFest Day 1 featuring the Del McCoury Band, Toy Factory Project, The Infamous Stringdusters and Sister Sadie, please visit this link.
Del and the Boys 25th Anniversary Edition will be available July 10 via McCoury Music.
