This September marks the 100th anniversary of Bill Monroe’s birth, and not surprisingly, there have already been plenty of tributes to the Father of Bluegrass Music, with more still to come.  But when listeners turn to Old Memories: The Songs Of Bill Monroe--released digitally September 27th with a vinyl release following on October 25th--what they hear won’t be the result of a carefully crafted campaign, but the result of a decision that was as spontaneous as it was inevitable—because for Del McCoury, Bill Monroe’s legacy isn’t just a matter of history, but something that’s as immediate and personal as the guitar he picks up every time he gets ready to play. “I had done songs of his on different albums I made through the years,” says McCoury, who served a life-changing year with Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys from 1963 to early 1964.  “But I’d never really thought about doing a whole album until the day we were flying home from the Grammy awards—and by the time we got to Nashville, I’d made a pretty good list of what I wanted to do.  I didn’t want to do a lot of things that everybody had already done; I wanted to do somethings that weren’t real popular but were really good.  Some were songs I’d never heard him sing, some were songs that he’d sing on a show—and some were songs that he sang on the record, but he made me learn the lead.  And I wanted to do them in the same keys he did, because if you change that, you just don’t have the same sound he had on them.”The result is a set that perfectly captures the essence of Bill Monroe’s music—and does it in a way that stands head and shoulders above the crowd.  For when Del McCoury lifts his voice to sing “In Despair” or “Live And Let Live,” what comes out is what he learned to sing standing next to Monroe on stage, tempered by another few decades of bluegrass tradition; when he tackles a song like “Heavy Traffic Ahead,” he remembers his brother bringing that 78 RPM record home from the store when it was first released; and when he harmonizes with son Ronnie on the Monroe-Hank Williams gem, “I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome,” family and tradition blend perfectly as he sings the master’s part while Ronnie takes over the part Del used to sing himself with Monroe. That intimate knowledge of Monroe’s style—and of his repertoire—helps to make Old Memories a truly unique collection.  “I put more runs in my guitar playing for this one,” McCoury notes.  “Because, you know, Bill really liked Edd Mayfield’s playing, and Edd played runs all the time.   So without even thinking about it, I think I played guitar on this record more like the way I played when I was with Bill—I even took a break on ‘Used To Be,’ because Bill had Charlie Cline take a solo on that one.  And I got some songs that you don’t hear too often, like ‘Lonesome Truck Driver Blues.’  That one kind of hit home to me, because I used to drive a truck myself, and there are a lot of things in that song about what a truck driver goes through.”Backed as always by his ace Del McCoury Band—son Ronnie on the mandolin, son Rob on the banjo, along with long-time fiddler Jason Carter and six year veteran Alan Bartram on bass—McCoury works his way through a generous 16-track set that nods to the show he played with Monroe by starting with a quick “Watermelon On The Vine” and concluding with a bit of a favorite closer, “Y’all Come.”  In between there are well-known classics like “Close By” and “Rose Of Old Kentucky,” obscurities like the Hank Williams-penned “Alabama Waltz,” rarities like “The Girl In The Blue Velvet Band” and “Train 45”—Monroe was one of the few to record the tune with lyrics—and much more.  But whether they’re staples of the bluegrass repertoire or resurrected rarities, what each has in common is an incomparable authenticity, bestowed in equal measure by Del McCoury’s personal connection to Monroe and his music, and by his unalloyed musical integrity.  And in the end, that makes Old Memories: The Songs Of Bill Monroe not just the tribute to Bill Monroe that it’s intended to be, but a tribute, too, to the newest member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame—Del McCoury.Find out more at www.mccourymusic.com.

Cornmeal announcing today New Years plans. For year 2 Cornmeal will be staying local and playing at Durty Nellies in Palatine, IL.  this year they will be joined by special guests The Giving Tree Band.  There are 3 level of tickets - GA, VIP, and a pecial Cocktails with the Band.  VIP package will include premium bar package, Champagne toast, appetizer buffet and party favors.  Cocktails with the Band will include early entry to the show (7:45), a Meet-N-Greet with Cornmeal, Early bar access, Premium bar package, Champagne toast, appetizer buffet, and party favors! There is also special hotel deals Holiday Inn in Palatine including a shuttle to and from the show.Cornmeal is offering 3 selections of tickets for this very special show:$20 General Admission$75 VIP$125 Cocktails With the BandThis year's VIP Package includes:premium bar packagechampagne toastappetizer buffetparty favorsLadies and Gentlefolk... Cornmeal would like to graciously present to you Cocktails With the Band!This year, to celebrate New Year's Eve in style, we thought we'd throw a little pre-party party. Purchase your tickets to have Cocktails With the Band, and ring in the new year with some boot-stompin' madness.Cocktails With the Band includes:Early entry to the show (6:45pm)A Meet-N-Greet with CornmealEarly bar accessVIP seatingPremium bar packageChampagne toastAppetizer buffetParty favors

The Del McCoury Band has garnered critical raves for their latest effort, Old Memories: The Songs of Bill Monroe. This tribute to the man widely considered to be "The Father Of Bluegrass Music" has now also been recognized by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. Old Memories was just nominated in the Best Bluegrass Album category for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, which will be airing live on CBS February 12th, 2012. This gives the Del McCoury Band a chance to add a second Grammy to their collection-having won in this same category back in 2005.The creation of Old Memories was particularly special due to Del's apprenticeship with Monroe. He served a life-changing year with Monroe's Blue Grass Boys from 1963-1964. It was released this past September in order to commemorate what would've been Monroe's 100th birthday.Behind The Scenes/"Making Of"Whether they're staples of the bluegrass repertoire or resurrected rarities, what each of these sixteen songs has in common is an incomparable authenticity, bestowed in equal measure by Del McCoury's personal connection to Monroe and his music, and by his unalloyed musical integrity.  And in the end, that makes Old Memories: The Songs Of Bill Monroe not just the tribute to Bill Monroe that it's intended to be, but a tribute, too, to the newest member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame-Del McCoury.

Mark Vann’s spirit parted company with his body on March 4, 2002.  Mark consistently lived by the motto of “Go Big!”.  He applied this motto to both playing music and his unending willingness to offer his time and knowledge to teach anybody who wanted to learn.  He encouraged others to “Dream Big”, “Go Big”, and “Pick Big”, and personally supported their efforts to do so.The Mark Vann Foundation was created to continue the spirit of joy, gratitude, and generosity that Mark brought to our collective communities through his life and music.Our primary mission is to serve community based non-profit organizations bringing light, love and laughter into the lives of those in need through nature, music and the arts; and to provide a conduit for kindhearted people with similar values to nurture impactful positive change within their own communities.This year’s show is bigger than any year before!  Great American Taxi (featuring Mark’s band mate in Leftover Salmon and long time friend Vince Herman) will be hosting the event for the 6th year in a row and they’ll be bringing their friends from The Contribution for one of their few shows performed each year (the band features Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth, Keith Moseley of String Cheese Incident, Matt Butler of Everyone Orchestra and Jeff Miller and Phil Ferlino of New Monsoon), The Bill McKay Band (Bill played with Mark in Leftover Salmon), and Andrew McConathy and the Drunken Hearts.  Every year Mark’s old friends show up and pitch in – previous unannounced guests have included Jeff Austin, Todd Snider, Drew Emmitt, and Billy Nershi just to name a few – so you never know who might show up at the show!The theme this year is Shimmer n Shine, so be sure you shimmer, shine and sparkle (like Mark Vann’s spirit)! Proceeds for this year’s event go to There With Care (www.therewithcare.org) and Care Connect of Boulder County.  We’re also excited to announce that this years’ show will be ALL AGES!!  (Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult)  In addition we’ll be holding an instrument drive again this year with instruments benefitting Parlando (www.parlando.org) and requested instruments are guitar, violin, clarinet, cello, oboe, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and flutes.CareConnect is a 40-year-old nonprofit serving more than 2,500 seniors and adults with disabilities in Boulder County through volunteer-powered Safety Net Services. These services include grocery shopping and delivery, home repair, fall-prevention, medical transportation, yard cleanups and more. Thousands more benefit from File of Life, Holiday Fruit Baskets, and 50Up! Cable television program and the RSVP volunteer program mobilizes more than 750 volunteers to meet community needs.  For more information, please call 303-443-1933 or visit www.careconnectbc.org.There With Care’s mission is to provide a wide range of thoughtful and fundamental services to children and families during the critical phase of a medical crisis. We serve families referred by medical agencies, by building a network of services and people who ease the burden of life’s day-to-day obligations with compassion and care. The simplest daily tasks become overwhelming when parents are faced with the burden of caring for their child during a medical crisis. We work with hospitals and social workers, to support the entire family during emotionally, financially, and physically challenging times.

The Del McCoury Band’s tribute to Bill Monroe, Old Memories: The Songs of Bill Monroe, will be released on CD just in time for the Grammy Awards.  The album was previously released digitally and on vinyl in September 2011 and received a Grammy nomination for “Best Bluegrass Album” in December.

The aforementioned September date, also marked the 100th anniversary of Bill Monroe’s birth, and not surprisingly, there have already been plenty of tributes to the Father of Bluegrass Music, with more still to come.  But when listeners turn to Old Memories: The Songs Of Bill Monroe--what they hear won’t be the result of a carefully crafted campaign, but the result of a decision that was as spontaneous as it was inevitable—because for Del McCoury, Bill Monroe’s legacy isn’t just a matter of history, but something that’s as immediate and personal as the guitar he picks up every time he gets ready to play.

“I had done songs of his on different albums I made through the years,” says McCoury, who served a life-changing year with Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys from 1963 to early 1964.  “But I’d never really thought about doing a whole album until the day we were flying home from the Grammy awards—and by the time we got to Nashville, I’d made a pretty good list of what I wanted to do.  I didn’t want to do a lot of things that everybody had already done; I wanted to do somethings that weren’t real popular but were really good.  Some were songs I’d never heard him sing, some were songs that he’d sing on a show—and some were songs that he sang on the record, but he made me learn the lead.  And I wanted to do them in the same keys he did, because if you change that, you just don’t have the same sound he had on them.”

The result is a set that perfectly captures the essence of Bill Monroe’s music—and does it in a way that stands head and shoulders above the crowd.  For when Del McCoury lifts his voice to sing “In Despair” or “Live And Let Live,” what comes out is what he learned to sing standing next to Monroe on stage, tempered by another few decades of bluegrass tradition; when he tackles a song like “Heavy Traffic Ahead,” he remembers his brother bringing that 78 RPM record home from the store when it was first released; and when he harmonizes with son Ronnie on the Monroe-Hank Williams gem, “I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome,” family and tradition blend perfectly as he sings the master’s part while Ronnie takes over the part Del used to sing himself with Monroe.

That intimate knowledge of Monroe’s style—and of his repertoire—helps to make Old Memories a truly unique collection.  “I put more runs in my guitar playing for this one,” McCoury notes “Because, you know, Bill really liked Edd Mayfield’s playing, and Edd played runs all the time.   So without even thinking about it, I think I played guitar on this record more like the way I played when I was with Bill—I even took a break on ‘Used To Be,’ because Bill had Charlie Cline take a solo on that one.  And I got some songs that you don’t hear too often, like ‘Lonesome Truck Driver Blues.’  That one kind of hit home to me, because I used to drive a truck myself, and there are a lot of things in that song about what a truck driver goes through.”

Backed as always by his ace Del McCoury Band—son Ronnie on the mandolin, son Rob on the banjo, along with long-time fiddler Jason Carter and six year veteran Alan Bartram on bass—McCoury works his way through a generous 16-track set that nods to the show he played with Monroe by starting with a quick “Watermelon On The Vine” and concluding with a bit of a favorite closer, “Y’all Come.”  In between there are well-known classics like “Close By” and “Rose Of Old Kentucky,” obscurities like the Hank Williams-penned “Alabama Waltz,” rarities like “The Girl In The Blue Velvet Band” and “Train 45”—Monroe was one of the few to record the tune with lyrics—and much more.  But whether they’re staples of the bluegrass repertoire or resurrected rarities, what each has in common is an incomparable authenticity, bestowed in equal measure by Del McCoury’s personal connection to Monroe and his music, and by his unalloyed musical integrity.  And in the end, that makes Old Memories: The Songs Of Bill Monroe not just the tribute to Bill Monroe that it’s intended to be, but a tribute, too, to the newest member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame—Del McCoury.

Through their many comments on Facebook and other social media sites, DelFest fans have made it clear that they are excited about the already announced DelFest lineup.  But that was just a sneak preview of what has shaped up to be one epic show.Additions to the lineup include the versatile Bela Fleck (playing with members of the Travelin’ McCourys and Danny Paisley, as well as a set with the Marcus Roberts Trio), festival favorites Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon, and Greensky Bluegrass.---The full list:The Del McCoury BandSteve Martin and The Steep Canyon RangersYonder Mountain String BandBéla Fleck with Alan Bartram, Jason Carter, Ronnie McCoury, Danny PaisleySam Bush BandRailroad EarthLeftover SalmonThe Travelin’ McCourys (feat. Keller Williams 5/26)Preservation Hall Jazz BandBéla Fleck & The Marcus Roberts TrioKeller WilliamsDoyle Lawson & QuicksilverThe Infamous StringdustersEmmitt-Nershi BandLuther Dickinson and The WanderingDarol Anger and the Furies feat. Brittany Haas, Maeve Gilchrist, & Emy PhelpsSara WatkinsGreensky BluegrassThe Devil Makes ThreeDella MaeJoe CravenThe David Mayfield ParadeSplit Lip RayfieldThe Larry Stephenson BandMountain SproutMadison VioletSleepy Man Banjo BoysMon River RamblersORBO & The LongshotsDelFest is May 24 through 27, 2012 at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD (2.5 hrs from Baltimore and DC).  The festival originated from the desire to create a family-friendly music festival celebrating the rich legacy of McCoury music while creating a forum for world-class musical collaborations and to showcase fresh new talent with a down-home feeling. Personally chosen by Del, the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD serves as the perfect location for DelFest--nestled along the Potomac River in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, the Fairgrounds are convenient to four major airports and easily reached by rail or road.Attendees can again expect to see one-of-a-kind collaborations, special guest sit-ins, various tributes to Del McCoury and his musical legacy, intimate appearances, both at unique “playshops”—informal workshops where the emphasis will be on performance rather than instruction—and in late night shows and picking sessions. DelFest will also include a band competition, and once again the festival will be preceded by the 3-day DelFest Academy hosted by The Travelin’ McCourys, where all levels of musicians can learn from some of the best pickers in the world (May 22 - 24).Discount tickets are now on sale with the next price increase on March 6th.  DELuxe (VIP) packages and RV passes are also available.  Information and tickets at www.delfest.com.

Del Yeah is back and bigger than before….and this time it’s hitting the Midwest!  After very successful 2010 & 2011 labor day weekends, Del McCoury music is excited to announce the 3rd annual ‘Del Yeah’ weekend - a multi-day, multi-venue ‘happening’ taking place over Labor Day weekend.. The idea of Del Yeah is to create a festival atmosphere in an outdoor setting or otherwise non-traditional venue complete with impromptu jams and unscheduled collaborations.

Initial plans include shows on August 31st, and September 1st and 2nd featuring the award-winning Del McCoury Band and their friends Emmitt-Nershi Band, Mountain Sprout, Cornmeal  and many others joining along the way. Shows will be programmed for a full afternoon and evening’s worth of music and entertainment, culminating in closing jam sessions that will have audiences on the edge of their seats or dancing to the music all night long.

Friday, August 31^st

Crossroads KC at Grinders

Kansas City, MO

w/ The Del McCoury Band, Emmitt-Nershi Band and Mountain Sprout, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Saturday, September 1^st

Old Rock House

St. Louis, MO

w/ The Del McCoury Band, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Mountain Sprout, Cumberland Gap, and Elemental Shakedown 

(plus special late night indoor show with Infamous Stringdusters)

&

Sunday, September 2^nd

Rustle Hill Ampitheater

Carbondale, IL

w/ The Del McCoury Band, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Cornmeal, Chicago Farmer, Bawn in the Mash, and The Bankesters

In response to the devastating High Park Fires – Great American Taxi has decided to make their July 20th show at the historic Mishawaka Amphitheatre a benefit show for NoCo Rebuilding Network to help those affected by the fires.  While the Mishawaka is currently closed due to the threat of fires, they hope to be reopened soon thanks to the hard work of local fire fighters. Come out and get down to help build back up what’s been lost!--Great American Taxi w/ Whitewater Ramble and Patti FiascoA benefit for the High Park fire and NoCo Rebuilding NetworkJuly 20th | The Mishawaka Amphitheatre | Bellvue, CONoCo Rebuilding NetworkMission:To promote and enable locally sustainable rebuilding in response to a disaster.Vision:For those who have lost their home in a disaster and choose to rebuild in our community, we hope to provide access to materials, volunteers, financial support, local expertise, and sustainable best practices.  We envision greater alignment between the built and natural environment while providing a model for other communities.NoCo Rebuilding Network was formed in the Spring of 2011 to raise funds, resources, and volunteers to assist in sustainable rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of local disasters. By bringing together our collective resources and knowledge, this network can help people and communities achieve a level of sustainable design and construction that may not otherwise be possible.We can come together as a community and for our community, in response to a disaster.  We can help people create spaces and places more in tune with nature that give back yields to the owners and to our community.100% of funds collected go to those affected by these disasters.  The Sustainable Living Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Fort Collins, Colorado, is the fiscal sponsor of The NoCo Rebuilding Network. 

For the 7th year we are celebrating summer on the banks of the mighty Rio Grande with music of all genres. From Songwriters to Soul, Bluegrass to Jazz, Music, Arts, Vendors and throw in some square dancing to keep your feet stompin’ all weekend long. Freelance artists will be on the festival grounds painting what is inspiring them at the moment. There will be a $10.00 parking charge (pack the car full, the more the merrier ) and you will have access to the festival. You won’t want to miss these two days of fun in South Fork, Colorado. Camping on site for $20.00 per person all weekend long. Come on out and enjoy the artists below. Camping, hiking/biking/fishing from site, dancing, horseshoe contest, inner tube race, wagon rides, kids activities, art contest, golf chipping contest, campfire jam & tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides on the festival grounds. 

• The Derailers- You can currently listen to the Derailers on the OUTLAW COUNTRY CHANNEL or catch them on both days of our festival. They are coming off a successful performance at the Grand Ole Opry and are ready to tear up South Fork.  They are not to be missed.
• New Orleans Suspects – A SUPERGROUP of the originators of the New Orleans Sound. They have played with the who’s who of New Orleans and have been original members of the Neville Bros., the Radiators, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and many more.  They will be closing out the festival on Sunday night.
• Whitewater Ramble – a Colorado homegrown Bluegrass crossover that is making the rounds to all the large festivals in the country. Self described as “High-Octane Rocky Mountain DanceGrass".  WWR will perform on Sunday.
• Chuck Pyle – We are proud to be hosting the “Zen Cowboy”. Most will know him as the songwriter for various artists such as John Denver, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Suzy Bogguss as well as penning “Cadillac Cowboy” for Chris LeDoux. Mr. Pyle will perform Saturday.
• Susan Gibson – The CMA award-winning songwriter (the Dixie Chicks took the Gibson-penned “Wide Open Spaces” to the top for four weeks) has been hitting the road consistently over the past 14 years, touring nationally in support of her own brand of Texas-Americana-folk music. Ms. Gibson will be performing on Saturday.
• Tony Vines Musical Ministry – Tony recently was awarded Song and Instrumental of the year by the Country Gospel Music Association.  The SFMA is proud to have Tony grace our stage on Sunday morning as he will be performing originals and traditional hymns. Tony will kick off the festival Sunday morning.
• Waiting on Trial – Never having any interest in doing things the standard way, the band plays almost entirely original material, occasionally throwing in the unexpected cover song.  You might hear a song from Social Distortion or an obscure cover stolen from some random 80's movie soundtrack thrown into the mix at a WOT show. WOT will play Saturday.
• MoJones – A local favorite from Creede that is sure to have you dancing in your seat as they perform blues, funk and soul. MoJones will perform Saturday.
• The Scrugglers - Goodtiming rowdy mountain tubgrass from Durango, Colorado. Slaves to the bluegrass beat, bring your dancing boots, this power-trio is known to throw down for the faithful. Formed from a weekly local jam these guys have been taking their high energy acoustic based music around the four-corners area.
• High Valley Swingers – Monte Vista square dancing group that will have a caller and perform on stage.  Who knows who will be pulled on stage to participate? Performance will be Sunday.
• Kirk James Band - Kirk James is solidly grounded in the Texas Blues tradition, playing Ragtime, Texas Shuffles and funky grooves. His unmistakable phrasing mixed with bottleneck slide conjures images of T-Bone Walker, Elmore James and Lightning Hopkins. A blues performer of 20 years, Kirk is known for his strong blues guitar style and distinctive vocals. James plays both original material and also classics from the Blues Masters.
• The Conchords - Up and coming band from the San Luis Valley.

Please remember the festival has always been a Benefit event with the SFMA working with different organizations from the San Luis Valley. This year we will sponsor a food drive with the San Luis Valley Food Bank. Canned food goods or monetary donations will be asked for at the gate to help the less fortunate in our surrounding area.

Halloween: A time for costumes, sweet treats, trickery, AND quickly becoming a holiday known for hot music collaborations. Delloween continues this notion bringing together tradition and innovation in a musical caldron the likes of which have never been seen sharing a stage before.The Del McCoury Band, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, and The Hackensaw Boys are all festival veterans hitting just about every major festival in the country over the past summer and Del even has his own festival – DelFest, so that festival spirit will be the backbone of Delloween.  All the Delloween artists are known for pushing the boundaries of music and Delloween will follow suit with innovative sets that all but erase the boundaries of a regular theatre gig.Tickets are $20 in advance/$27 day of show and onsale now at http://www.madisontheateronline.com/viewevent.php?id=693

It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the departure of 2 of our longtime bandmates.  For personal and professional reasons both Kris and JP Nowak have decided to leave the band after 8 years together.  We wish them both the best and utmost success in their future endeavors.  We will finish out the current dates we have on the books with them and are currently looking for their full time replacements. In the meantime keep your eyes open for some possible special guest appearances.  We thank Kris and JP for their many years of hard work, dedication, and tremendous musical contributions.   We also thank you, our fans, for your continued support!-CornmealTo Our Fans: We are writing to announce that we are leaving Cornmeal, our musical home for the last 8 and 9 years, respectively.  We leave having accomplished one of our lives’ shared missions, namely, to help make the world a better place by sharing our musical talents with each of you.  Words cannot describe how much we appreciate your long and continued support. As I’m sure many of you can imagine, the road we’ve been navigating through the wilderness of the traveling music business is an incredibly difficult one in many different ways. It is difficult physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and financially. While it is true that we have benefitted greatly from our time in Cornmeal, it hasn’t been without struggle. For these reasons John-Paul and I have decided to forge a new path in our lives. We offer our thanks to our bandmates, crew members, and managers. What we’ve accomplished together cannot be understated, and we look forward to celebrating this legacy with them and you, our fans, in the shows we have remaining.   Sincerely, Kris and JP Nowak 

A free concert with bluegrass supergroup The Travelin’ McCourys & Friends will take place immediately after the Tennessee Titans’ game on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at Cumberland Park, 592 South 1st Street in Nashville, in the shadow of the Titans’ stadium on the banks of the Cumberland River.

The concert will kick off IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Week, Sept. 24-30, at the Nashville Convention Center and the Ryman Auditorium, and a public celebration of September as “Worldwide Bluegrass Music Month.” IBMA – the International Bluegrass Music Association – is the professional trade organization for the global bluegrass music community.

Earlier in the day, family patriarch and IBMA Hall of Famer Del McCoury will perform the National Anthem at LP Field, just before the start of the Titans/Detroit Lions game (12 noon CST). Immediately following the game, “The Travelin’ McCourys,” as Del’s band members are known when they work as a quartet, will perform with some special guests at an open-air bluegrass concert at Cumberland Park.

“This concert is our way of thanking local bluegrass fans and the city of Nashville for eight amazing years as the hosts of World of Bluegrass,” said Nancy Cardwell, newly appointed IBMA executive director. “And what better way to celebrate Worldwide Bluegrass Music Month than with some pure, powerful, award-winning McCoury bluegrass?”

Del will join his sons Ronnie and Rob onstage as a special guest with their new configuration, The Travelin’ McCourys, along with a surprise list of friends. “The McCourys know nearly every good musician in town, so there’s no telling who will show up onstage with them!” notes Cardwell. “We’re delighted to present this show for the people of Music City as a way to kick-start the World of Bluegrass. If you like what you hear, be sure to stop by the Nashville Convention Center during the week for more of that high lonesome sound!”

Parking will be taken up by Titans fans, so concertgoers who will arrive later are advised to park downtown and walk over the bridge to Cumberland Park if they are not planning to attend the game; visit www.parkitdowntown.com for great parking locations.

“The Travelin’ McCourys & Friends” FREE show on Sunday, Sept. 23 is hosted by Bluegrass Underground & Music City Roots for IBMA, and is co-sponsored by BBC (Bluegrass Brewing Company).

Two of bluegrass music’s most entertaining and well loved performers, Sam Bush and Del McCoury will be teaming up for a highly anticipated string of tour dates beginning in November.  To quote Sam, “I first saw Del at the Roanoke Bluegrass Festival in 1966 and have been waiting for this opportunity to tour together ever since.  We invite you to come join the fun as two old friends make music and swap stories onstage.”

Known as the “King of Telluride” Grammy award winning multi-instrumentalist Sam Bush maintains a busy travel schedule with The Sam Bush Band.  He is currently nominated for both IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year, his band for Instrumental Group of the Year and is also a CMA Nominee for Musician of the Year. Sam was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist  from the Americana Music Association in 2009. His most recent release is Circles Around Me on Sugar Hill Records. 

Del McCoury has been playing Bluegrass Music professionally for more than 50 years.  His storied career has included a Grammy, as well as numerous Grammy nominations, nine IBMA Entertainer of the Year Awards, membership in the Grand Ole Opry, and a National Heritage Fellowship.  He has collaborated with everyone from Dierks Bentley to Phish, and has his own festival, DelFest, coming up on it's sixth year. His most recent release is a tribute to Bill Monroe entitled Old Memories: The Songs of Bill Monroe on McCoury Music.  Del is also co-hosting this year's IBMA Awards show at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 27th.

Though both Sam & Del grew up playing traditional bluegrass, their openness to expanding the genre has set them apart in recent years bringing numerous young fans to the music. 

Sam Bush & Del McCoury Tour Dates 2012

November 16th – Norwalk Concert Hall – Norwalk, CT
November 17th – Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton – Derry, NH
November 18th – The Birchmere – Alexandria, VA
November 19th – The City Winery – New York, NY
December 1st – The Old Town School of Folk Music – Chicago, IL

Cornmeal is happy to announce a very special guest for their Annual Hometown Thanksgiving show on 11/23 at The Vic Theatre.  Joining the band for the Chicago festivities will be none other than Jeff Austin of Yonder Mountain String Band.  Following the tradition made in years past, the band will also be hosting a charity food drive (details below).

CHARITY FOOD DRIVE
What better time of year than to give back to your community!  In the spirit of gratitude and giving, we'll be teaming up with Summer Camp Make a Difference and Field Day to host a Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Lakeview Food Pantry.  And even better, we've got a couple of great prizes to be won for donating!  Summer Camp Music Festival has agreed to donate a pair of tickets to Summer Camp 2013 Music Festival AND Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger have donated a pair of tickets to their yearly holiday show at The Park West on December 8th! Bring in a collection of cans or dry food for your chance to win!

JAMericana favorites, Great American Taxi, announce their Great American Snowball Tour 2013.  On the heels of a successful west coast tour with friends Poor Man’s Whiskey, GAT is strapping on their skis and heading north for a three night stand in Girdwood, AK at the Alyeska Resort and then heading back home to Colorado for eight dates including Denver, Boulder and plenty of ski towns.  Taxi will welcome their new friends, Poor Man’s Whiskey to Colorado for both the Fox Theatre show in Boulder and the show at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver.  The Boulder show will also have Shannon McNally and Amy Lavere: Chasing The Ghost project on as support.GAT has been making a biannual pilgrimage up to the great state of Alaska for the last few years playing their annual ski weekend in Girdwood and then returning over the Summer for the Salmonstock Music Festival (www.salmonstock.org) which benefits the Renewable Resources Coalition (www.renewableresourcescoalition.org) in their efforts to stop the Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay.This tour will mark the first appearance for GAT in their home state of Colorado since front man, Vince Herman (who’s skiing style has been described as that of a “Great American Taxi” barreling down the hill), has relocated to his new home state of Oregon.January 18,19 & 20The SitzmarkGirdwood, AK January 23rdThe EldoCrested Butte, CO January 24thThree20southBreckenridge, CO January 25thThe Fox Theatre w/ Poor Man’s WhiskeyBoulder, CO January 26thCervantes Masterpiece Ballroom w/ Poor Man’s WhiskeyDenver, CO January 30thShakedown Pub VailVail, CO January 31stThe Aggie TheaterFt. Collins, CO February 1 & 2Ghost Ranch SaloonSteamboat, CO 

Keller Williams is getting excited to ring in 2013 with The Del McCoury Band and The Travelin' McCoury's in Nashville at Marathon Music Works.  He's so excited, he's starting singing its praises.  Tickets are still available, get them while you can!

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band is happy to announce the Big Damn Blues Revolution Tour, which will take the band throughout the U.S. this spring with special guests Jimbo Mathus and Alvin Youngblood Hart.With a reputation for their incendiary live shows, it seemed only natural for The Big Damn Band to hit the road again in support of Between the Ditches, their latest album. But this time, The Rev, Breezy & Cuz will unleash their ferocious blues explosion to the masses alongside some of their favorite artists for what is sure an unforgettably raucous affair.Conceptualized by none other than the Reverend Peyton himself, The Big Damn Blues Revolution Tour is a musical event that will showcase today’s top blues artists in a whole new light. Coming along for the ride are Jimbo Mathus, best known for his work with the swing revival band Squirrel Nut Zippers and blues legend Buddy Guy as well as Grammy Award-winning guitarist Alvin Youngblood Hart. The tour kicks off in March then the Rev will make several appearances at the world-renowned music festival South By Southwest in Austin, TX before continuing the tour throughout the summer.Between the Ditches has been received with enthusiasm since its debut at #1 on the iTunes Blues chart week of release. They’ve received critical raves in the US and internationally, video play from CMT and MTVu, charting at both college and Americana radio and inclusion in the hit Showtime series “Shameless” starring William H. Macy.Roaring out of the southern Indiana foothills, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, plays a brand of Americana and Blues that stands alone - Delta blues and hillbilly fervor combine with musical acuity sharp as razor wire. Their new album Between The Ditches is a chronicle of this lifestyle. Since it arrived in August, excellent reviews have appeared in publications like Vintage Guitar, Classic Rock Magazine, Alternative Press and Living Blues. Their fifth album celebrates the growl of a good truck engine, the fiercest passion for their country home and the importance of family.Big Damn Blues Revolution Tour dates: Wednesday March 6 Columbia , MO   Blue NoteThursday March 7 St. Louis , MO   Old Rock HouseFriday March 8 Kansas City , MO   KnuckleheadsSaturday March 9 Little Rock , AR   Sticky FingersTuesday March 12 Austin,TX  The Blackheart SXSW *Wednesday March 13 Austin , TX   Club De Ville SXSW *Thursday March 14 Ft. Worth , TX   Live Oak Music Hall *Friday March 15 Austin , TX   Continental Club SXSW *Saturday March 16 San Antonio , TX   San Antonio Spurs Game *Sunday March 17 San Antonio ,TX  Sam's Burger Joint ** Reverend Peyton only Wednesday March 20 Nashville , TN   Exit InThursday March 21 Columbus , OH   Woodland TavernFriday March 22 Ferndale ,MI  Magic Bag TheaterSaturday March 23 Cleveland , OH Beachland Ballroom

It is with a heavy heart that after 10 years with Cornmeal, we say goodbye to Allie Kral.  Her powerhouse presence on stage and musical chemistry with the band will be greatly missed.  We wish her the best in her musical endeavors and cannot thank her enough for the hard work and personal sacrifices she gave throughout her 10 years on the road. Cornmeal will be conducting a nationwide search for a fiddle replacement in the coming months and looking to get back on the road as soon as possible. Despite many of the rumors out there, Cornmeal will continue on!Join us in celebrating Allie's tenure with the band one last time at the Summer Camp Music Festival in Chillicothe, IL May 23-26, 2013.Please read her letter to her fans below:"Dear Cornmeal friends and family,It is with incredible mixed emotion that I am announcing my departure from Cornmeal.   This band has been the most significant fixture in my world for the past decade, and it has been the most difficult decision of my life thus far.   I take enormous pride in what we have accomplished musically, and I cherish the shared passion and musical drive that my fellow band mates and I have. I now feel an obligation to tackle new goals, and to strive to become the best well-rounded fiddler I can possibly become.To all our fans and family, I appreciate your loyalty, your support, and your smiles more than I can ever express.   Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for affecting my life in such a positive way!  I hope you will all join me at Summer Camp Music Festival, as I play my last performances with the band.  And to Cornmeal, our managers, our crew, and everyone behind the scenes, thank you, for a decade of the most mind-blowing, sincere moments of my life!Your friend,Allie Kral"

On Saturday, June 29^th at The Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts – Venetian Theater, The Del McCoury Band will headline Caramoor’s American Roots Music Festival – a daylong celebration of folk, string band, country, blues, gospel, and bluegrass music.  The concert will mark the world premiere and the only New York performance of The Del McCoury Bands new project, “Del & Woody” featuring unheard and unsung words of Guthrie set to music by Del himself.  To help bring new life to the work of American folk poet Woody Guthrie, his daughter, Nora Guthrie, gave Del McCoury exclusive access to the archives of her father’s unpublished work. Now, with the support of Woody Guthrie’s family, The Del McCoury Band will perform an evening of never-before-heard lyrics writeen by the “Dust Bowl Troubadour” set to new music by Del McCoury and including a multi-media presentation featuring Guthrie’s original words, drawings, and other materials from the archives that inspired this performance. In addition, McCoury, will perform his trademark Bluegrass standards and favorites. Check out this glimpse into the studio of The Del McCoury Band recording Woody Guthrie’s “California Gold”.

Also, Del is very excited to announce the lineup for the 4^th annual Del Yeah.  Del Yeah will be taking place on August 24 & 25 in St. Louis at The Old Rock House.  The 2 day event will feature The Del McCoury Band, Henhouse Prowlers, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Honey Island Swamp Band, Head For The Hills, Whitewater Ramble, Aaron Kamm & The One Drops, Old Salt Union, The Hatrick, Clusterpluck, Acoustics Anonymous, and Elemental Shakedown. The idea of Del Yeah is to create a festival atmosphere in an outdoor setting or otherwise non-traditional venue complete with impromptu jams and unscheduled collaborations. More information to come

We're excited to officially welcome aboard Scott Tipping on acoustic guitar and Drew Littell on drums as the newest members of Cornmeal. Both Scott and Drew have performed a handful of shows with the band over the last year and have proved to be the perfect fit for the future of Cornmeal.Scott Tipping has been an integral part of the Chicago music scene for more than 20 years. His diverse stylistic approach to both rhythm and lead guitar as well as his deep Americana roots and influences have been a welcome addition to the band. He has been a featured performer with outstanding bands and artists such as Backyard Tire Fire, Peter Himmelman, The Might Blue Kings and more. Scott has also shared the stage with amazing groups such as Los Lobos, ZZ Top, Buddy Guy just to name a few. When he isn’t performing with Cornmeal he'll be dawning the stage with Magic Box (and long time music collaborator Ed Anderson).Drew Littell is a drummer/percussionist from Chicago with an eclectic array of influences and style to match. Drew brings a unique rhythmic perspective to Cornmeal through a fusion of mindful grooving and forays into polyrhythm. His drumming is also heavily informed by tribal and folkloric rhythmic patterns from around the globe as well as innovative drummers such as Elvin Jones, Clyde and Jabo, Zigaboo Modeliste, John Bonham and Billy Martin to name a few. Drew studied Jazz Performance at the Chicago College for Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He is an active drummer, percussionist, and teacher around Chicagoland. You can also catch Drew playing with his original band Genome as well as on percussion with This Must Be The Band (Talking Heads Tribute) and AfroZep.We have just begun interviewing and auditioning new fiddlers and are having a blast with rehearsals. We have a lot of great candidates coming in over the next few months and are excited for the potential of the future of Cornmeal. We will try to keep you all involved in the search process through our social media outlets, so follow us and stay tuned for future show announcements and rehearsal updates.

“The picture on the cover, that’s Broadway in Baltimore, maybe back around the time I started playing in the clubs,” Del McCoury says with a smile.  Then he adds, just before breaking into his signature, eyebrow-wiggling laugh, “Back then, you could get anything you needed down there—and a lot of things you didn’t need, too!”It’s a long way from his apprenticeship in those Baltimore honky tonks in the late 1950s to his stature as the ultimate bluegrass ambassador today, but Del McCoury’s negotiated the path with enough perseverance, humility, good humor, adventurousness—not to mention talent and enthusiasm—to last a lifetime.  Along the way, he’s earned not just the applause, but the passionate devotion of fans ranging from old-timers who remember those early days to country aficionados drawn in by his collaborations with Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels and Vince Gill to tie-dye-clad youngsters who’ve just learned about him from hearing artists like Phish and the Yonder Mountain String Band rave about—and perform—his music.And lest you think that the open-mindedness that’s led McCoury into so many surprising collaborations and contexts comes from the younger generation, heed the words of Ronnie McCoury, who says of The Streets Of Baltimore, “That one’s all Dad’s!”  And indeed, with sons Ronnie and Rob and their Del McCoury Band colleagues Jason Carter and Alan Bartram spending more time touring as The Travelin’ McCourys, the job of choosing songs for the album fell squarely on Del’s shoulders—and judging by the results, it’s clear that Del McCoury’s as creatively inspired as ever.  Where the Del McCoury Band’s last two projects—2012’s tribute to Bill Monroe (Old Memories) and 2011’s collaboration with the Preservation Hall Band, American Legacies —were built around themes, The Streets Of Baltimore shows McCoury and his award-winning band at their most relaxed and free-form.  “I just put together a group of songs that I liked,” says Del.  “And then we got into the studio and tried to make them sound good!”Still, it’s not hard to see how the new album is shaped by the musical memories acquired and lessons learned starting back in McCoury’s Baltimore days.  For one thing, as a reminder of how tightly entwined bluegrass and country music were at the time, there’s a healthy dose of songs from the country repertoire, including the title track (a 1966 country hit for Bobby Bare), “Too Many Rivers” (a crossover hit for Brenda Lee in 1965 and recorded by dozens of country singers at the time) and “Once More With Feeling,” a massive hit for Jerry Lee Lewis that reminds us that McCoury and his band were called on to perform in honor of The Killer’s induction into the Rock Hall of Fame a few years ago.  And while pop and jazz fans know “Misty” as an entry in the “Great American Songbook,” Del and the boys give an affectionate here nod to country singer and humorist Ray Stevens, whose banjo-driven version of the song scraped the top of the country charts nearly 40 years ago.But while there’s a lot of looking back on The Streets Of Baltimore, McCoury turned to some favorite contemporary writers, too, to keep things grounded in the here and now.  Long-time song supplier Mike O’Reilly is accounted for with the album’s opener, Shawn Camp and friends sent in the timeless waltz, “I Wanna Go Where You Go,” occasional co-writer Jerry Salley teamed up with Donna Ulisse for a gripping Civil War story and Verlon Thompson contributed the pensive meditation, “I Need More Time.” Del expands the circle, too, giving hit artists and songwriters Larry Cordle and Steve Wariner, along with Country Hall of Famer Bill Anderson, their first McCoury cuts.  There’s even room for a McCoury original that sports a characteristically generous, upbeat take on a fundamental gospel message.Yet if McCoury cast a wide net to haul in the songs for this album, the performances are as distinctive, and as tightly focused as ever.  Years of constant musical companionship have made the Del McCoury Band among the most renowned ensembles in any kind of music, and every number on the album shows off their unmatched precision and empathy for the material.  Meanwhile, Del’s magnificent voice soars, whispers, pleads and rings out with just the right feeling for each song, recalling Jerry Lee Lewis’s slippery ways on “Once More With Feeling,” coloring the opening lines of “Butler Brothers” with foreboding and injecting the slightest tinge of nostalgia in tackling a bluegrass reworking of a doo-wop classic from his youth. All in all, then, The Streets Of Baltimore is a masterful performance—exactly what one would expect from a close-knit, supremely talented group led by a man universally acknowledged as a national treasure.  It’s a long way from the streets of Baltimore to where Del McCoury’s music has taken him these days, but today, just as he was then, Del McCoury is right where he needs—and wants—to be. 

The Del McCoury Band is currently in Guthrie, Oklahoma with Mumford and Sons at their Gentlemen of the Road festival!  Night one of Gentlemen of the Road was one for the books with Marcus Mumford (Mumford and Sons) and Jeff Austin (Yonder Mountain String Band) sitting in for The Del McCoury Bands first set.  Also sitting in for the bands set were Larry Kell, Danny Barnes and Mumford fiddler Ross Holmes. Proof again that you never know who is going to show up when Del plays!Next Saturday, September 14 The Del McCoury Band will hit the stage in a rare, intimate appearance at Skippers in Tampa, FL to celebrate WMNF’s birthday with The Tampa Collective and Tommy Malone.

This weekend The Travelin’ McCourys hit the Midwest with their popular touring festival – The Bluegrass Ball.  For all 3 shows (Madison, Bloomington IN, and Chicago) they were joined by String Cheese Incident's Bill Nershi on guitar.  The Bluegrass Ball was born out of the spirit of bluegrass festivals – the special memories made of impromptu jams and unscheduled collaborations.This was showcased at last night’s City Winery Chicago show as audience members were surprised when the band was joined by 3 very special guests; local Banjo hero Greg Cahill (banjo) of Special Consensus plus Chris Gangi (bass and mandolin) and Wavy Dave Burlingame (banjo) both of Cornmeal fame.  The local picking talents were showcased on songs including “Love Please Come Home”, “High on the Mountain”, “Lonesome Rueben”, “Rollin In My Sweet Baby’s Arms, and “6 Days on the Road” among others.

After a brief hiatus while bringing together a fresh lineup, Cornmeal is back at it…and in a big way!  After playing a few select shows in early November, Cornmeal is very excited to be back in their hometown of Chicago for one of their favorite traditions, the 13th annual Cornmeal Thanksgiving show at the Vic on November 30th.  They will be joined by very special guest Willie Watson (formerly of Old Crow Medicine Show).  The new lineup includes the co-writing team and founding members Chris Gangi (bass) and Wavy Dave Burlingame (banjo), along with newest members Scott Tipping (guitar) formerly of Backyard Tire Fire, Drew Littell (drums), and guest appearing on fiddle is Molly Healey formerly of Big Smith from Springfield, MO.

While the lineup has changed – Cornmeal remains the one of the premier progressive bluegrass and Americana bands and is looking forward to reconnecting with fans on the road in 2014.  The new lineup brings a fresh energetic take on the classic Cornmeal sound which is influenced by American roots and folk music and seamlessly blends lightning fast tempos and impeccable harmonies into an unrivaled live performance.

You can hear a sample of the new lineup performing the Cornmeal classic, “When the World’s Got You Down,” at the Des Moines Halloween party on Nov. 2nd, 2013.

In other Cornmeal news - In the next few weeks, the band will be announcing their first tour since their break.  The first announcement is their return to Colorado at Denver’s Bluebird Theater on February 15th. A limited amount of presale tickets will be available at a discounted price of $10 starting Saturday, November 23rd!  Once that allotment runs out, advance tickets will be $20.

Almost a year ago The Masters of Bluegrass proudly announced their first ever show as a band with Del McCoury, JD Crowe, Bobby Hicks, Jerry McCoury, and Bobby Osborne in the lineup. After a year of playing some of the best venues and festivals in the country and making some amazing music and memories, this Sunday the bluegrass supergroup will play their last show in Naples, FL at The Philharmonic Center for the Arts.Between them, the Masters of Bluegrass can count four Bluegrass Hall of Famers, two Grand Ole Opry members and a lineage that reaches back to bluegrass music’s earliest days.  Separately (and occasionally together), they’ve appeared on countless late night TV shows, at every major bluegrass venue and on prestigious music festival and performing arts center stages across the country and around the world, where they’ve built enduring careers by delighting new fans and thrilling long-timers alike with wit, warmth, virtuosity and enduring creativity.  The Masters are truly both keepers of the flame and also bearers of the torches with which bluegrass is blazing new trails in the 21st century.Check out this video from The Masters of Bluegrass rehearsing before their debut performance last January!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q6ZUcsrsi0

After a brief hiatus while bringing together a fresh lineup, Cornmeal is back at it…and in a big way!  After playing a few select shows in November and December, the band is stronger than ever and ready to announce their first tour in almost a year. The new lineup includes the co-writing team and founding members Chris Gangi (bass) and Wavy Dave Burlingame (banjo), along with newest members Scott Tipping (guitar) formerly of Backyard Tire Fire, Drew Littell (drums), and guest appearing on fiddle (indefinitely) is Molly Healey formerly of Big Smith from Springfield, MO.

While the lineup has changed – Cornmeal remains the one of the premier progressive bluegrass and Americana bands and is looking forward to reconnecting with fans on the road in 2014.  The new lineup brings a fresh energetic take on the classic Cornmeal sound which is influenced by American roots and folk music and seamlessly blends lightning fast tempos and impeccable harmonies into an unrivaled live performance.  

Tour dates:

2/6 Lexington KY, Cosmic Charlies

2/7 Nashville TN, 12th & Porter

2/8 Carbondale IL, Hangar 9

2/13 Omaha NE, The Waiting Room

2/14 Fort Collins CO, Hodi's Half Note

2/15 Denver CO, Bluebird Theater

2/19 Oklahoma City OK, Bricktown Music Hall

2/20 Fayetteville AR, George's Majestic Lounge

2/21 Lawrence KS, The Bottleneck

2/22 Iowa City IA, Blue Moose Tap House

Great American Taxi and Vince Herman have decided it is in the best interest of the band and everyone involved to part ways starting in 2014.  Vince recently moved to Oregon to settle down and spend more time on his farm, and his other band, Leftover Salmon, have become very active again absorbing much of Herman's time.  Great American Taxi has wanted to play more and follow up on the success of their last two albums, which landed them in the top 10 on the Americana radio charts.  The band took their time over the last four or five months and decided to offer the job to Taylor Sims.  Some will remember Sims from his days fronting Colorado favorites Spring Creek Bluegrass Band from Lyons, CO.  Sims, a Texas native, is an accomplished songwriter and multi-instrumantalist, who has lived in Colorado for the last eight years.  Founding member Chad Staehly and Taxi veterans Jim Lewin, Chris Sheldon, and Brian Adams will continue down the road as they have for the last 5+ years with the same driving rhythm, telecaster, piano and harmony-vocal powered jams they have honed over many a mile and many a smoky late-night performance.Also joining Taxi for this next chapter (as an honorary member and helping with their forthcoming album) will be long-time collaborator Todd Snider, who the band has backed up on numerous shows and albums.  Snider also produced Taxi's last release Paradise Lost.  Taxi recently spent more than a week at Coupe Studios in Boulder working on the new album and will return to the studio in April, Snider in tow, to finish the recording.  People should expect something new, but with the same strong songwriting and live performance energy the band has become known for.  The untitled new release is slated to come out in late 2014.  In the meantime, Taxi will be hitting the road with the new line-up along with some of the new material starting in March.Great American Taxi is excited to offer fans and friends a sneak peek into the new songs and sounds the band has been working on in the studio.  For a taste of the new albums sound, visit the links below.   "Home" - https://soundcloud.com/greatamericantaxi/home"Hold On Me" - https://soundcloud.com/greatamericantaxi/hold-on-meUpcoming Taxi shows:March 13 - Hodi's Half Note - Fort Collins, COMarch 14 - Cervantes' Masterpiece Theater - Denver, CO w/ New Orleans SuspectsMarch 16 - 320 South - Breckenridge, COMarch 19 - Agave - Avon, COMarch 22 - Orleans Arena - Las Vegas, NVMay 30 - 4th Annual John Hartford Memorial Festival - Bean Blossom, INAugust 10 - Dead on the Creek - Willits, CA (w/ Todd Snider)

The hardest part of any festival is continuing to not only march out strong lineups year after year, but marching out a lineup that the fans feel is the strongest yet.  DelFest continues to rise to the challenge, and once again, organizers feel like they are on track to give the fans exactly what they want.The most notable new name on this year’s line up is The String Cheese Incident.  Billy Nershi has been at almost every DelFest in one configuration or another, but rumors really started flying after the Del McCoury Band guested with String Cheese on New Year’s.  The two bands have shared the bill several times and the mutual respect between the two camps led to this being a natural fit this year.  The lineup also includes DelFest favorites Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn, among others, along with everyone’s favorite emcee, Mr. Joe Craven.Here’s a look at this year’s initial lineup (more acts will be announced in the coming months):  The Del McCoury BandThe String Cheese Incident (2 Sets)Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky ThunderYonder Mountain String BandRailroad EarthHot Rize feat. Red Knuckles & the TrailblazersBéla Fleck & Abigail WashburnThe Travelin’ McCourysGreensky BluegrassCarolina Chocolate DropsThe Gibson BrothersTim O’Brien & Darrell ScottSierra HullThe Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn BandKruger BrothersThe DuhksJoe CravenThe Deadly GentlemenSpirit Family ReunionCabinetThe California HoneydropsThe Unseen StrangersDelFest 2014 will once again be held at the beautiful Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD (2.5 hrs from Baltimore and DC).  The festival originated from the desire to create a family-friendly music festival celebrating the rich legacy of McCoury music while creating a forum for world-class musical collaborations and to showcase fresh new talent with a down-home feeling. Produced in association with High Sierra Music, the 7th Annual DelFest will again offer a quality festival experience stamped with the unique McCoury touch.  Personally chosen by Del, the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD served as the perfect location for DelFest--nestled along the Potomac River in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, the Fairgrounds are convenient to four major airports and easily reached by rail or road.In addition to traditional stage sets by these world-class artists, attendees can again expect to see one-of-a-kind collaborations, special guest sit-ins, various tributes to Del McCoury and his musical legacy, intimate appearances, both at unique “playshops”—informal workshops where the emphasis will be on performance rather than instruction—and in late night indoor performances and picking sessions. Delfest will be immediately preceded by a 3-day Music Academy hosted by The Travelin’ McCourys, where all levels of musicians can learn from some of the best pickers in the world (the Academy will take place May 19, 20, 21).Four day festival tickets are currently on sale at www.delfest.com along with DELuxe tickets.  All RV passes with hook ups are sold out, and there are a limited number of “dry” RV passes still available.

Strike up a conversation with Rob McCoury, and it won’t take long for you to realize that you’ve met one of the most easygoing musicians around—a guy who’s happy to chat with just about anyone on just about anything, or to just quietly watch and enjoy what’s going on around him.  When he puts on his banjo picks, though, it’s another story.  “My first love will always be traditional bluegrass,” he says with a smile.  “When it’s right, there’s just nothing better. I love the simplicity of being able to take four or five guys, get ‘em out, tune ‘em up and play.”  And when that happens, watch out, because in Rob McCoury’s hands, the banjo becomes just what the title of his album says: a five-string flamethrower.Though The 5-String Flamethrower is McCoury’s first solo album, he’s hardly a newcomer.  Indeed, there are only a few banjo players today who have been heard by as many audiences. As a member of the award-winning Del McCoury Band and its second-generation alter ego, the Travelin’ McCourys, he’s a gold-plated member of bluegrass music’s royalty.  But while he cheerfully confesses that he’d been thinking about it for years—and laughingly adds that it took almost two years from start to finish—Rob was in no hurry to get the job done.  And when he did, he made an album that seems likely to put an end to his status as the most under-appreciated yet highly visible banjo players around—and to do it, characteristically, by paying tribute to his banjo heroes, including his own father.The tribute—though not the record itself—begins, logically enough, with Earl Scruggs, the player who started it all.  McCoury blisters his “Foggy Mountain Chimes,” but also nods in his direction again by dishing up a relaxed version of “John Henry” that, like Scruggs’, is played out of the rarely-used D tuning.  “Foggy Mountain Banjo is arguably the greatest banjo record ever made,” he says, “and Earl had a variety of stuff on there—‘Home Sweet Home’ in C tuning, and ‘John Henry’ in D.  It’s one of the things that made him so great.”Others to make the cut include Don Reno, who turns out to be one of the best-represented of the bunch with “Charlotte Breakdown,” “Banjo Riff” and, perhaps most memorably, “Feudin’ Banjos.”  “When I started writing down all these tunes,” Rob says, “I kind of surprised myself.  I looked the list over, and I spotted a lot of Don Reno tunes.  Well, when you’re playing stuff a lot, you don’t always pay attention to where you might have learned it from, but I looked at that list and thought, I’m putting some Don Reno tunes on here.  As a kid, it was Earl all the way, but as I got a little older and I started hearing these great Reno & Smiley records, I thought, some of that is the coolest thing I’ve ever heard.”The legendary Sonny Osborne shows up, too, both figuratively and literally, as Rob both recorded his “Siempre” (with brother Bobby Osborne on hand) along with the previously unrecorded “Jericho,” and momentarily enticed Sonny out of retirement to lay down the opening to “We Could.”  So do recent Hall of Fame entrant J. D. Crowe (“Blackjack”), banjo buddy Larry Perkins (“Northwest Passage”) and another under-appreciated giant, Walter Hensley (“Sugar Creek”).But while The 5-String Flamethrower puts Rob’s banjo front and center, it doesn’t neglect the other side of the banjo’s role in a bluegrass band—accompanying the vocals that lie at the music’s heart.  Here, too, McCoury looks to his heroes—and again, his dad makes the list.  Del’s rendition of “I’ve Lost You” serves to highlight Rob’s understanding of the lessons Scruggs taught in this regard, while “We Could,” sung by Bobby Osborne, not only drives home his mastery of them, but features his own vocal contribution, and does it on a song that’s near to his heart—the one played at his wedding to wife Lisa years ago.“It’s crazy to have so many of my heroes in my address book,” Rob says, but while he may have gotten his introduction to them through his dad, his attitude—a unique combination of respect, friendliness and eagerness to learn—has turned the introductions into lasting friendships that give him a unique perspective.  Indeed, whether he’s having a cup of coffee with Sonny or hanging out backstage with the likes of the guys in Leftover Salmon, the String Cheese Incident or with Keller Williams, Rob’s the same guy, one of just a handful equally at home in the center of bluegrass or out on its edges.“I used every cut we recorded on this album,” Rob McCoury notes, and while that’s a little unusual—artists frequently “over-cut,” then pare down to the best of the bunch for the final selection—it’s typical of his no-nonsense approach, and emblematic of the justified confidence he has in his ability, and in the ability of his colleagues in the Del McCoury Band, to deliver.  There are a lot of banjo players out there these days, but there’s only one Rob McCoury, and when he calls his banjo The 5-String Flamethrower, well, it lets you know exactly what you’re going to get.

Hot Rize has not toured more than a few select festival dates and concerts since 1990.  That all changes in September as they embark on their first major tour in almost 25 years in support of their new studio album, reclaiming their unique position where tradition and innovation collide.

The tour will start in Colorado in late September, include stops at IBMA’s Wide Open Bluegrass Festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco, and hit the Midwest and east coast along the way with key stops in New York, Philadelphia, and D.C.

“We’ve had fun over the years playing some of our favorite festivals as we’ve all continued our solo careers, but the last few years we’ve started feeling the tug to make new Hot Rize music.  With the new album, we decided it was time to hit the road and try to reach some new heights, said Pete Wernick (aka Dr. Banjo). He added, “Even with the time away and all of our other ventures, we’re still like family, and adding Bryan Sutton on guitar brought a new energy to the band.  We are very excited to share the new songs with fans.” 

For more than three and a half decades, Hot Rize has been astounding the bluegrass world with a fresh, contemporary approach to traditional music.  Their unique style; powerful original songs; tight-as-a-drum ensemble playing, and dynamic stage show made them an inevitable choice for the International Bluegrass Music Association's very first Entertainer of the Year award in 1990.  Since then, the all-star band has kept their legend alive by performing at just a handful of top festivals (e.g., MerleFest, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Telluride, Bonnaroo, Rockygrass) and select venues.

Here’s the current itinerary for the fall with a few more dates to be added:

Wed, Sept 24 – Durango, CO – Ft. Lewis College

Thurs, Sept 25 – Aspen, CO – Wheeler Opera House

Fri, Sept 26 – Boulder, CO – Chautauqua

Sat, Sept 27 – Denver, CO – Cervantes

Sun, Sep 28 – Columbia, MO – Roots & Blues & BBQ Fest

Fri, Oct 3 – Raleigh – IBMA Wide Open Bluegrass Festival

Sun, Oct 5 – San Francisco, CA – Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival

Fri, Oct 17 – Nashville, TN – War Memorial Auditorium (w Del McCoury Band)

Sat, Oct 18 – Wingate, NC – Batte Fine Arts Center (w Del McCoury Band)

Sun, Oct 19 – Duluth, GA – Red Clay Theatre (2 shows)

Wed, Nov 12 – New York, NY – City Winery 

Thurs, Nov 13 – Philadelphia, PA – Keswick Theatre (w Del McCoury & David Grisman)

Fri, Nov 14  - Washington, DC – The Hamilton

Sat, Nov 15 – Baltimore, MD – Gordon Center

Mon, Nov 17 – The Ark – Ann Arbor, MI

Thurs, Nov 20 – Stoughton, WI – Stoughton Opera House

Fri, Nov 21 – Akron, OH – Kent Stage

Sat, Nov 22 – Middletown, OH – Finkelman Auditorium

Sun, Nov 23 – Chicago, IL – City Winery 

Check out www.hotrize.com for details

After a patient and long 2-year search Cornmeal is thrilled to officially welcome fiddler Phillip Roach into the family.  Phil has been a long time friend of the band and as his tenure with The Giving Tree Band came to a close in early 2014, it only made sense to bring him aboard for some sit ins and collaborations with Cornmeal over this past year. He is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist with a diverse musical palate bringing passion and unrivaled energy to the stage.

Phillip Roach began playing violin at age 5 and soon after was asked to perform with the nationally renowned Midwest Young Artists.  During his time with that orchestra, he performed with his long time hero and fiddle great Mark O’Connor. His presence permanently influenced the course of Phil’s musical life, and he soon traveled down to Nashville to attend fiddle camps, where he received lessons from giants such as Vassar Clements, Darol Anger, and Mark O’Conner himself. 

Phil then pursued a degree in classical violin performance, where upon graduating, he began a 3-year tenure performing with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestras, and Peoria Symphony Orchestra. Phil began recording session work in Chicago as an outlet for his love of improvisation, where he was featured on multiple recordings as a violinist, guitarist, and mandolinist for artists such as Lupe Fiasco and Company of Thieves.  This led to meeting The Giving Tree Band and in 2009 he joined full time, performing hundreds of shows from coast to coast, as well as through Canada and Europe.

Some words from Phil about joining Cornmeal: 

“Through my time with The Giving Tree Band, I had the pleasure of opening for Cornmeal on many shows, and took every opportunity to watch in awe as they performed their sets. When the opportunity arose to perform alongside these musicians, I was not only inspired to elevate my playing to their level, but was inspired at the transition from being a fan to being a member. I have such admiration and love for the body of work as well as the community of fans that Cornmeal has cultivated, and I am humbly motivated to honor both entities with my genuine love for this band. I always wanted to be in a band like this, and though my time here is still new, it feels like home.“

This year Cornmeal celebrates its 15 year anniversary with an official lineup, a new album and a national tour. Their next show is their hometown of Chicago at The City Winery as part of the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival on February 7th.

You wouldn’t be far off by calling the initial line up of the eighth installment of DelFest, the DelFest “All Stars” as it features many fan favorites from the first seven years including Old Crow Medicine Show, Railroad Earth, and Leftover Salmon, as well as Trampled by Turtles, Greensky Bluegrass, and the Steep Canyon Rangers--bands that have seemingly grown up with the festival. 

DelFest is also very excited to present a host of first time acts for its fans including Lake Street Dive, Shovels and Rope, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, D.C. area favorites and IBMA Hall of Fame members Seldom Scene, and Billy Strings & Don Julin. 

Here’s a look at this year’s initial lineup (more acts will be announced in the coming months):

Del McCoury Band

Old Crow Medicine Show

Trampled By Turtles

Railroad Earth

Greensky Bluegrass

The Travelin' McCourys

Leftover Salmon

Lake Street Dive

Hot Rize

Shovels & Rope

The Jeff Austin Band featuring Danny Barnes, Ross Martin and Eric Thorin

Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers

Steep Canyon Rangers

The Gibson Brothers

Sierra Hull

The Seldom Scene

The Larry Keel Experience

Joe Craven

The Black Lillies

Mandolin Orange

Billy Strings & Don Julin

Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line

Dead Winter Carpenters

Ashleigh Flynn & The Back Porch Majority

DelFest 2015 will once again be held at the beautiful Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD (2.5 hrs from Baltimore and DC).  The festival originated from the desire to create a family-friendly music festival celebrating the rich legacy of McCoury Music while creating a forum for world-class musical collaborations and to showcase fresh new talent with a down-home feeling. Produced in association with High Sierra Music, the 8th Annual DelFest will once again offer a quality festival experience stamped with the unique McCoury touch.  Personally chosen by Del, the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD served as the perfect location for DelFest--nestled along the Potomac River in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, the Fairgrounds are convenient to four major airports and easily reached by rail or road. The city of Cumberland is also a great host offering multiple hotel options, a charming downtown and great amenities including biking, a steam train engine and museum, and some top notch dining.

In addition to traditional stage sets by these world-class artists, attendees can again expect to see one-of-a-kind collaborations, special guest sit-ins, various tributes to Del McCoury and his musical legacy, intimate appearances, both at unique “playshops”—informal workshops where the emphasis will be on performance rather than instruction—and in late night indoor performances and picking sessions. Delfest will be immediately preceded by a 3-day Music Academy hosted by The Travelin’ McCourys, along with Leigh Gibson of the Award winning Gibson Brothers band, and 7 time IBMA mandolin player of the year nominee, Sierra Hull, where all levels of musicians can learn from some of the best pickers in the world (the Academy will take place May 18, 19, & 20).

Four day festival tickets are currently on sale at www.delfest.com along with DELuxe VIP packages.  A limited number of RV passes are still available.

Americana outfit Great American Taxi has shuffled the deck in 2015 and added some new dynamic players to the fold.  Having gathered with Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth fiddle player and record producer) at Silo Sound Studios in Denver, CO in late 2014 and again in early 2015 to record a new album, the band is ready to reveal what’s next.  Core members Chad Staehly, Jim Lewin and Brian Adams find themselves joined by Arthur Lee Land on guitar, banjo and vocals as well as sharing some of the songwriting duties.  GAT invited drummer Duane Trucks (Hard Working Americans) to record on the album, he will also perform with the band on some dates in 2015.  Nate Barnes (Rose Hill Drive, Ryan Bingham) will join the band on drums for other shows.

Producer Tim Carbone recently had this to say about the new recording project - “The sound of the new line-up is pure gold Americana!  The songwriting is as sharp as ever and the boys are willing and able to experiment.  The guitar playing is mind blowing!” 

Taxi will maintain a light touring schedule until the release of the new album (due out later this year).  The first shows of 2015 will be in their home state of Colorado in June and then they will be heading to Alaska in August for SalmonFest in Ninilchik, AK and the Blueberry Festival at the beautiful Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, AK.

June 4 - JAMericana Summit at the Fox Theatre in Boulder, CO with Grant Farm
June 5 - Vail Ale House - Vail, CO
June 6 - Meekerpalooza - Meeker, CO

Juy 31 - August 2 - SalmonFest - Ninilchik, AK
August 8-9 - Blueberry Festival - Girdwood, AK

More dates to be announced.

Three time Grammy® Award winner, Ramsey Lewis, will release “Taking Another Look – Deluxe Edition” July 24 on his new Sony/RED distributed label "Ramsey's House.” On the album, Lewis rekindles his 1974 career-defining album “Sun Goddess” through a collection of re-recorded or re-edited tracks from the original disc perfectly balanced with five new tunes, in addition to Dr. John, Kung Fu, and TAUK adding their spin on some of these timeless classics. “Jungle Strut” has all the attitude of its 1974 original and Lewis makes magic on the Fender Rhodes in “Tambura.” Rather than re-recording the title track “Sun Goddess”, Lewis has beautifully re-edited the original studio recording featuring Earth, Wind and Fire. Lewis and his Electric Band breathe new life into classic covers, such as the new high-octane rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City” and a tender interpretation of the timeless “Betcha By Golly Wow.” The album features Ramsey's touring quintet (the Electric Band) composed of Joshua Ramos (bass), Charles Heath (drums), Henry Johnson (guitar) and Tim Gant (keyboards).

"I've recorded maybe 70-80 albums, and this album is definitely among the top five.” said Lewis.

The “Deluxe Edition” title refers to the three bonus tracks and the previous limited release of the record. First, the legendary Dr. John serves up some Cajun style funk with his rendition of "Jungle Strut" and then up and comers and jazz fusion funksters Kung Fu turn in a mesmerizing version of "Tambura." Finally, TAUK delivers an amazing take on "Sharing Her Journey" that clearly establishes them as a band to watch in the jazz influenced jam band world

Ramsey’s House is the innovative new label conceptualized by Lewis to help up and coming jazz influenced acts and to introduce fresh faces to the jazz world. The label is planning multiple releases per year and all A&R decisions and label signings are personally overseen by Lewis. The National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Award winner believes that there is a lot of great new talent out there, traditional and non-traditional, that will revitalize the jazz world he loves so dearly.

Taking Another Look – Deluxe Edition Track Listing:

1. Intimacy

2. Tambura

3. Love Song

4. Living for the City

5. Betcha by Golly Wow

6. To Know Her

7. The Way She Smiles

8. Jungle Strut

9. Sharing Her Journey

10. Sun Goddess

Bonus Tracks:

11. Jungle Strut - Dr. John

12. Tambura - Kung Fu

13. Sharing Her Journey – TAUK

The West Coast has had to wait a bit for Cornmeal but the band is excited to be back to show off their new lineup and with a new studio album (the first in 9 years) ‘Slow Street’ freshly released. Check out the West Coast dates below.  A tour 4 years in the making!

Tour Dates:

7/29/15

Reverb Lounge

Omaha, NE

7/30/2015

Cervante’s Other Side

Denver, CO

w/Horseshoes and Hand Grenades

8/1/15

Avograss

Ft. Collins, CO

8/2/15

18^th Annual Bluegrass and Beer Festival

Keystone, CO

8/5/15

Nectar

Seattle, WA

8/6/15

The White Eagle

Portland, OR

8/7/15

Wow Hall

Eugene, OR

8/8/15

Humboldt Brews

Arcata, CA

8/11/15

Winston’s

San Diego, CA

8/12/15

The Mint

Los Angeles, CA

8/13/15

Moe’s Alley

Santa Cruz, CA

8/14/15

Crystal Bay Club Casino/Crown Room

Crystal Bay, NV

8/15/15

Slim’s

San Francisco, CA

8/16/15

Lagunita’s Brewing

Petaluma, CA

For complete tour dates check out http://www.cornmealinthekitchen.com/tour

Chances are if you’ve been to a bluegrass festival the memories most prevalent are not so much that of the “scheduled” performers but more of the impromptu jams and unscheduled collaborations.  It’s with that spirit that the McCoury family decided to embark on a traveling bluegrass festival called The Bluegrass Ball.  In the past 3 years, The Bluegrass Ball has traveled across the country picking up multiple pickers and fans along the way. 

Ask most string musicians, young or old, and they will likely tell you they either want to play with the McCoury family or they already have.  The McCourys are known not only for their ability to play with just about anyone but also for actually doing it!  Due to their willingness to play with other musicians, the McCoury family is known as heavy weights on the festival and bluegrass scene, even having their own wildly successful festival “Delfest”.  

Along for the ride this round are mandolin maestro Drew Emmitt and banjo virtuoso Andy Thorn from Leftover Salmon.  If there is one band out there that encompasses that festival feeling, it is Leftover Salmon. Drew and Andy have played with the McCourys at many festivals before, when they hit the stage together a sort of magic happens as evidenced by the smiles on and off the stage. Having Drew and Andy open with a set and then play with the Bluegrass Ball could not be a better fit.  

At the Bluegrass Ball you never know what will happen, who will show up, or how the lineup will unfold on stage; just show up and come along for the ride.

Tour Dates:

Nov 11 - Englert Theatre, Iowa City, IA

Nov 12 - The Majestic, Madison, WI

Nov 13 - Old Rock House, St. Louis, MO

Nov 14 - The Blue Note, Columbia, MO

Nov 15 - City Winery, Chicago, IL

Nov 18 - Grey Eagle Tavern, Asheville, NC

Nov 19 - The Blind Tiger, Greensboro, NC

Nov 20 - Charleston Pour House, Charleston, SC

Nov 21 - Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC

Here is a quote from Pete Wernick on making the video:

As the only native New York City boy in the group, very familiar with Times Square, it was wild and weird to be picking banjo there, plowing along through the curious onlookers, not to mention Batman, the Statue of Liberty, Disney characters, etc. The lights of the giant video billboards really contrast ironically with what the song is about... a lonesome driver saying to the moon, "your light leads me on."

It is with endless excitement that the Jeff Austin Band would like to welcome banjo master Ryan Cavanaugh into the fold. Ryan brings with him a great sense of musical adventure and intense creativity...something we have built our whole world upon. We look forward to many great musical times ahead with him. Learn more about Ryan at http://www.ryancavanaughbanjo.com.

We also wish the best to Danny Barnes as he moves forward...continuing to make music that will inspire us all.

See you all out on that big road sooner than later.

The work continues!

jA

Music, by its nature, is a migratory creature. It moves as it moves, often powerfully, through people and places, communities and cultures, created and carried on currents of electricity and air. Edward David Anderson is one of its modern makers, a rock and roll veteran from the cornfields of Illinois, who went into the woods of coastal Alabama and found musical serendipity, emerging with Lower Alabama: The Loxley Sessions — a timeless, unvarnished beauty of an album.

“I had no idea Anthony Crawford even lived in LA (Lower Alabama), let alone minutes from our RV park,” Anderson says, still somewhat in disbelief. Indeed, it was during his inaugural exodus from the brutal Midwestern winters to the Gulf Shores of the Cotton State that Anderson discovered his neighbor, of sorts, was Crawford—a producer, multi-instrumentalist, and former sideman to Neil Young. “I sort of couldn’t believe it, you know? I knew this guy, I knew who he was. I had seen him play with Neil and was familiar with his work’” His next thought was as certain as sunrise. “I need to record some songs with him.”

Admiral Bean Studio rests comfortably on the 2,400-acre property Crawford owns and makes his home on in Loxley, Alabama. It’s a retreat where music is still sung, and played with instruments, by real people, not constructed by computer programs, and provided the ideal setting and collaborator for what became Anderson’s follow-up to his solo debut Lies & Wishes. “This record is my experiences and my songs, given the Crawford treatment,” says Anderson. “Even the tunes that existed long before the album was recorded have a Lower Alabama feel, and were heavily affected by Anthony.”

For his part, Crawford, in addition to producing, played a multitude of instruments on the sessions, but felt less of a challenge shaping the material than easing Anderson into a role of simply singing and playing. “I wanted him to show up and play for me his best performances, play the song live, let me record his guitar and his vocal. Let me get the real Edward David Anderson to start with so that everything else after that could be made of truth,” recalls Crawford. “He let go, and as a result, we have something very special.”

The subsequent nine-song collection floats melodiously on rivers of fiddle and clouds of pedal steel, on gentle acoustic guitars and hints of piano, dusted with some ghostly guitar from Will Kimbrough and striking vocal harmony from Crawford’s wife, singer Savana Lee. Listen to the opening strains of “Firefly” and be transported to a lonesome highway, the endless fields stretching out ahead. There’s “Sentimental in the Morning,” a porch shuffle that knows it can rock with the best of them, but displays self-restraint, or the classic outlaw storytelling of “Jimmy and Bob and Jack” that holds on to his Chi-Town accent, but rolls out like Southern Gothic. Hear the easy breeze of “Sadness” rustle through the trees, having picked up a bayou sensibility as it blows through, or the devastating honesty of “Cried My Eyes Dry,” a song of loss and carrying on.

There’s an alignment that happens when great albums are made. Cosmic, or maybe karmic—a reaction chemical, physical, emotional, spiritual, when an artist and his art find kindred souls of expression, even sweeter when it arrives unexpectedly. Last fall when the cold crept in to central Illinois, his migration to his Southern sanctuary calling, Edward David Anderson didn’t know his next album was waiting for him in the woods of Lower Alabama.

Lucky for us he found it. And it was not just another session, not just another record, but a moment to be preserved, to be treasured, when his voice was as true as it was seasoned, his words as intimate as they were universal.

Acclaimed band, The Travelin’ McCourys have started a new chapter in their book with the announcement that their guitar chair will be permanently filled by long-time friend and fan favorite, Cody Kilby. 

It’s a fitting call, given that Kilby — a veteran of the national bluegrass scene since appearing on the IBMA Awards Show in 1993 as a member of the Bluegrass Youth All-Stars with fellow teenagers like Chris Thile — was the guitarist on the Travelin’ McCourys debut appearance at the Wintergrass festival.  Since then, a distinguished and varied group of guests have toured with the McCourys— the list ranges from bluegrass stalwarts like Jeff White and Ronnie Bowman to edgier pals like Keller Williams, The Infamous Stringdusters' Andy Falco, and String Cheese Incident’s Billy Nershi — with Kilby enjoying the role of most frequent.  Prior to today’s announcement, Kilby spent 14 years as a member of Ricky Skaggs’ award-winning Kentucky Thunder and as a sought-after studio player, most recently on Beck’s Grammy winner, Morning Phase. 

With the addition of Kilby, the Travelin’ McCourys — bluegrass Hall of Famer Del McCoury’s sons Ron (mandolin) and Rob (banjo), along with Del McCoury Band colleagues Jason Carter (fiddle) and Alan Bartram (bass) — serve notice that they are ready for the next steps down the musical road they’ve been paving alongside the Del McCoury Band in recent years.  “I guess we had our ‘a-ha’ moment at DelFest this year,” says Ron McCoury.  “We were on stage Saturday night and it was like a light bulb went on — with Cody, we really have the perfect combination.  Don't get me wrong, we enjoy featuring guests and still plan to collaborate at times, but from now on, Cody will be involved in all of those shows. He is a great player, and fits perfectly with what we do - straddling the fence between traditional and progressive.  No matter what we throw at him, he can handle it."

Here’s some video from that pivotal ‘a-ha’ moment – The Travelin’ McCourys cover ‘Loser’

With a full schedule of Del McCoury Band appearances interwoven with the Travelin’ McCourys calendar, the quintet’s got a long and busy road ahead.  As they look down it, the Travelin’ McCourys know they’ve got everyone they need to get them where they want to go.

Continuing on the path of creating, over 5 years ago the McCourys launched what they call The Bluegrass Ball (which in the past have included guests like Jeff Austin, Billy Nershi and Michael Kang of String Cheese Incident, The Lee Boys, and others) The Travelin' McCourys embark Wednesday for nine shows in 11 days starting in Iowa, and ending in South Carolina.  They will have Drew Emmitt and Andy Thorn from Leftover Salmon along for this run of Bluegrass Balls.  See the full schedule below.

11/11 - The Englert Theatre - Iowa City, IA

11/12 - Majestic Madison - Madison, WI

11/13 - Old Rock House - St. Louis, MO

11/14 - The Blue Note - Columbia, MO

11/15 - City Winery - Chicago, IL

11/18 - The Grey Eagle - Asheville, NC

11/19 - The Blind Tiger - Greensboro, NC

11/20 - The Charleston Pour House - Charleston, SC

11/21 - Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC

DelFest 2016 will once again be held at the beautiful Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD (2.5 hrs from Baltimore and DC).  The festival originated from the desire to create a family-friendly music festival celebrating the rich legacy of McCoury music while creating a forum for world-class musical collaborations and to showcase fresh new talent with a down-home feeling. Produced in association with High Sierra Music, the 9th Annual DelFest will again offer a quality festival experience stamped with the unique McCoury touch.  Personally chosen by Del, the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD served as the perfect location for DelFest--nestled along the Potomac River in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, the Fairgrounds are convenient to four major airports and easily reached by rail or road.

Here’s a look at this year’s initial lineup (more acts will be announced in the coming months):

The Del McCoury Band

The Travelin' McCourys

Tedeschi Trucks Band

Greensky Bluegrass

Railroad Earth

Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers

Sam Bush Band

Yonder Mountain String Band

The Wood Brothers

Infamous Stringdusters

Jerry Douglas Presents The Earls of Leicester

Keller Williams

The O'Connor Family Band feat. Mark O'Connor

Sierra Hull (Artist at Large)

Rock My Soul feat. The Fairfield Four and The McCrary Sisters

Elephant Revival

Joe Craven & The Sometimers

Cabinet

Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers

Fruition

Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen

Henhouse Prowlers

Steve Poltz

The Dustbowl Revival

The Brothers Comatose

Horseshoes & Hand Grenades

Dre and The Delfest Collective

Four day festival tickets are currently on sale at http://goo.gl/XS0vPF along with DELuxe tickets. 

For more information:

Del McCoury is at it again.  At 77 years young he is still very excited about music and creating projects that will be enjoyed by generations to come.  This one might just be the most talked about as it’s rare for two artists to team up on music separated by 70+ years…some of these lyrics were written the year Del was born, but with Woody’s timeless lyrics, and Del’s timeless sound, nothing matters but the songs.

You could almost say that the cover of the new release from the Del McCoury Band tells you everything you need to know: two giants of American music, both known far and wide by their first names, guitars in hand, looking out at the world with a bold gaze and a characteristic expression.  But there’s a story behind Del And Woody (McCoury Music, street date 4/15/16), a collection of Woody Guthrie lyrics set to music by Del McCoury—and while its dozen songs speak eloquently for themselves, knowing how they came to be adds a dimension that’s sure to deepen every listener’s enjoyment.

“When he recorded with Steve Earle back in the late 90s, that’s when I really discovered Del McCoury,” says Woody Guthrie’s daughter, Nora, guardian of the famed singer/songwriter’s unique legacy—and of an archive containing a treasure trove of memorabilia, recordings and, especially, notebooks filled with song lyrics. 

Still, it wasn’t until the Newport Folk Festival’s 50th anniversary in 2009 that she zeroed in on the bluegrass patriarch’s unique fitness for what became Del And Woody.  “After hearing Del's show,” she recalls, “I remember thinking that if my dad had had a band, it would very possibly have sounded very much like Del’s.  An invitation went to Del to perform at a Woody Guthrie

Centennial concert in Tulsa a couple of years later gave her the opportunity to hear him singing a few of her father’s songs—“I think Del’s ‘So Long, It’s Been Good To Know Yuh’ is the best version I’ve ever heard,” she notes—and the deal was sealed.

For McCoury, Guthrie’s name was mostly unfamiliar, though his songs weren’t. “It took a while before I heard his name,” he remembers.  “But then I started learning that so many of the songs I was hearing, from ‘Philadelphia Lawyer’ to ‘This Land Is Your Land,’ were his.  So when Nora said she wanted to send me some lyrics, I already knew what a great writer he was.  She sent me a few, then sent me some more, a few dozen in all.” 

“When I read them, it seemed pretty easy to me to hear the music that would fit.  Nora said, ‘you can change some things if you want to,’ and I said no.  He’s a great writer, and I do not want to change anything in his songs.  I would just like to put a melody to these words so that maybe folks will accept the songs, and that’s what we did.”

Though it took the process years to come to fruition the result is an album that really transcends the concept of collaboration. For while Del McCoury is not quite of Guthrie's generation, these two American masters share an unsurpassed breadth of experience, outlook, shared interests and common backgrounds. So what you hear is the simple and easy unity of these two artists. As Nora Guthrie says, "It sounds as if these lyrics and melodies have been around together forever, or as Pete Seeger says, 'that's genius'."

Given the importance of family to this project—whether in Woody’s obvious affection for his own, in Nora’s dedication to keeping his artistry alive and appreciated, or in the McCourys’ collective career—it’s fitting to leave the last word here to Nora’s brother, acclaimed singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie.   “The entire album goes back to a place and time that these days, are an almost forgotten era,” he says. “But, Del’s high bluegrass voice brings it all back into focus...It’s amazing how little the human condition has changed, and good to be reminded that humor, attitude, and great music are timeless. Thank you, Del.”

The world did get a brief glimpse into the project when "The New York Trains" was released on the 2014 audio book CD set, "My Name is New York; Ramblin' Around Woody Guthrie's Town". That song was honored with a Grammy Nomination at the 57^th Grammy Awards for Best American Roots Song. 

The Del McCoury Band will be touring in support of this release in 2016.  On designated “Del & Woody” shows the band performs this album in its entirety with companion videos to each song playing behind them.  It really does bring Woody’s work to life after many years of these lyrics sitting on a shelf.

Additions to the already stellar lineup include Nicki Bluhm who will be joining the Infamous Stringdusters, Aoife O’Donovan, Dale Ann Bradley, Mipson, and The McCoury Brothers.

Late Night Shows:

Thu:  The Infamous Stringdusters feat. Nicki Bluhm with Fruition
Fri:  Yonder Mountain String Band with Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Sat:  Greensky Bluegrass with Cabinet
Sun:  The Travelin' McCourys Sendoff feat. Keller Williams with The HillBenders

Complete Lineup Below

The Del McCoury Band
The Travelin’ McCourys
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers
Greensky Bluegrass
Railroad Earth
Sam Bush Band
Yonder Mountain String Band
The Wood Brothers
The Infamous Stringdusters feat. Nicki Bluhm
Keller Williams
Jerry Douglas Presents The Earls of Leicester
The O’Connor Family Band feat. Mark O’Connor
Sierra Hull (Artist at Large)
Rock My Soul feat. The Fairfield Four and The McCrary Sisters
Elephant Revival
Aoife O’Donovan
Joe Craven & The Sometimers
Cabinet
Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers
Dale Ann Bradley
Fruition
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Hot Club of Cowtown
Steve Poltz
The Dustbowl Revival
Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
The HillBenders
The Brothers Comatose
The Broomestix
Henhouse Prowlers
Dré and The DelFest Collective
The Lil’ Smokies
Pert Near Sandstone
Mipso
Driftwood
The Railsplitters
Grand Ole’ Ditch
The McCoury Brothers

Del McCoury is at it again.  At 77 years young he is still very excited about music and creating projects that will be enjoyed by generations to come.  This one might just be the most talked about as it’s rare for two artists to team up on music separated by 70+ years…some of these lyrics were written the year Del was born, but with Woody’s timeless lyrics, and Del’s timeless sound, nothing matters but the songs.

You could almost say that the cover of the new release from the Del McCoury Band tells you everything you need to know: two giants of American music, both known far and wide by their first names, guitars in hand, looking out at the world with a bold gaze and a characteristic expression.  But there’s a story behind Del And Woody (McCoury Music, street date 4/15/16), a collection of Woody Guthrie lyrics set to music by Del McCoury—and while its dozen songs speak eloquently for themselves, knowing how they came to be adds a dimension that’s sure to deepen every listener’s enjoyment.
 
“When he recorded with Steve Earle back in the late 90s, that’s when I really discovered Del McCoury,” says Woody Guthrie’s daughter, Nora, guardian of the famed singer/songwriter’s unique legacy—and of an archive containing a treasure trove of memorabilia, recordings and, especially, notebooks filled with song lyrics. 
 
Still, it wasn’t until the Newport Folk Festival’s 50th anniversary in 2009 that she zeroed in on the bluegrass patriarch’s unique fitness for what became Del And Woody.  “After hearing Del's show,” she recalls, “I remember thinking that if my dad had had a band, it would very possibly have sounded very much like Del’s.  An invitation went to Del to perform at a Woody Guthrie Centennial concert in Tulsa a couple of years later gave her the opportunity to hear him singing a few of her father’s songs—“I think Del’s ‘So Long, It’s Been Good To Know Yuh’ is the best version I’ve ever heard,” she notes—and the deal was sealed.
  
For McCoury, Guthrie’s name was mostly unfamiliar, though his songs weren’t. “It took a while before I heard his name,” he remembers.  “But then I started learning that so many of the songs I was hearing, from ‘Philadelphia Lawyer’ to ‘This Land Is Your Land,’ were his.  So when Nora said she wanted to send me some lyrics, I already knew what a great writer he was.  She sent me a few, then sent me some more, a few dozen in all.” 
 
“When I read them, it seemed pretty easy to me to hear the music that would fit.  Nora said, ‘you can change some things if you want to,’ and I said no.  He’s a great writer, and I do not want to change anything in his songs.  I would just like to put a melody to these words so that maybe folks will accept the songs, and that’s what we did.”
 
Though it took the process years to come to fruition the result is an album that really transcends the concept of collaboration. For while Del McCoury is not quite of Guthrie's generation, these two American masters share an unsurpassed breadth of experience, outlook, shared interests and common backgrounds. So what you hear is the simple and easy unity of these two artists. As Nora Guthrie says, "It sounds as if these lyrics and melodies have been around together forever, or as Pete Seeger says, 'that's genius'."
 
Given the importance of family to this project—whether in Woody’s obvious affection for his own, in Nora’s dedication to keeping his artistry alive and appreciated, or in the McCourys’ collective career—it’s fitting to leave the last word here to Nora’s brother, acclaimed singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie.   “The entire album goes back to a place and time that these days, are an almost forgotten era,” he says. “But, Del’s high bluegrass voice brings it all back into focus...It’s amazing how little the human condition has changed, and good to be reminded that humor, attitude, and great music are timeless. Thank you, Del.”

The world did get a brief glimpse into the project when "The New York Trains" was released on the 2014 audio book CD set, "My Name is New York; Ramblin' Around Woody Guthrie's Town". That song was honored with a Grammy Nomination at the 57^th Grammy Awards for Best American Roots Song. 
 
The Del McCoury Band will be touring in support of this release in 2016.  On designated “Del & Woody” shows the band performs this album in its entirety with companion videos to each song playing behind them.  It really does bring Woody’s work to life after many years of these lyrics sitting on a shelf.

The Travelin' McCourys are known for their branding of the term 'Bluegrass Ball'. If ever there was a group of shows that defined this term, it was this past weekend on the Front Range of Colorado.  The Bluegrass Ball shows, Thursday in Ft. Collins at The Aggie and Friday & Saturday in Denver at Cervante's, were slated to include Bill Nershi of String Cheese Incident and Anders Beck of Greensky Bluegrass at all 3 shows with special guest, the Father of Bluegrass, Del McCoury on Saturday.  After Thursday and Friday all of Colorado was so a buzz with memorable collaborations drawing comparisons to Telluride and Delfest. Gaining speed, Saturday quickly sold out, with fans clamoring for tickets.  They did not know what they were in for.
 
Saturday started out with a special set from duo Bill Nershi and Anders Beck.  Everyone was surprised by the addition of Paul Hoffman (Greensky) playing a special tribute to Prince with 'When Doves Cry'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B3YFDLbQiY

Next up was The Travelin' McCourys starting with a set of their own, followed by a set with....well....everyone.  In true McCoury fashion, the guests were a plenty playing to the delight of the sold out crowd. Guests included Anders Beck, Paul Hoffman, and David Bruzza of Greensky Bluegrass, Bill Nershi of String Cheese Incident, Andy Hall and Chris Pandolfi from Infamous Stringdusters, Justin Hoffenberg, and of course patriarch Del McCoury.  The energy in the room has been described as magic and has everyone itching for festival season. 

Video from 'Rollin In My Sweet Babies Arms' https://youtu.be/M3Kun6BfXAk
 
The Travelin' McCourys just announced their next Bluegrass Ball date in St. Louis at The Grove with the Jeff Austin Band on June 10th, a unique ball, A Grateful Ball will feature sets from both bands as well as a set together of Grateful Dead songs to close the evening. 

Upcoming Travelin' McCoury dates:
 
Friday, April 29th - Jefferson Theater -Charlottesville, VA

Road to Delfest Benefit with Mipso - Supporting the Grottoes Volunteer Fire Department and Wildland Firefighter Foundation

Saturday, April 20th - Charm City Folk & Bluegrass Festival - Baltimore, MD

Friday, May 6th - The Charleston Pour House - Charleston, SC

Saturday, May 7th - North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival - Huntersville, NC

Friday, May 13th - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA

Saturday, May 14th - Yakima Roots and Vines Festival - Yakima, WA

May 26-29 - Delfest - Cumberland, MD 

For the 2nd week The Del McCoury Band’s Del & Woody, a collection of lyrics left behind by Woody Guthrie and put to music by McCoury, reached #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart.  As best we can tell (with help from the Woody Guthrie Center), a few songs of Woody’s have charted on radio before, but no project that included only his songs has ever risen to the top of the Billboard album chart.  McCoury—who at 77 is no stranger to the top of the charts himself—says he is proud that it was his unique collaboration with the world-acclaimed folk bard of the depression that pulled Woody to the top.

Del & Woody was the brainchild of Woody’s daughter, Nora Guthrie.  Upon hearing the Del McCoury Band, she recalls, she had a feeling that Del would be the right man to write music to some of her father’s lyric sheets. Still, it wasn’t until the Newport Folk Festival’s 50th anniversary in 2009 that she zeroed in on the bluegrass patriarch’s unique fitness for what became Del And Woody.  “After hearing Del's show,” she says, “I remember thinking that if my dad had had a band, it would very possibly have sounded very much like Del’s.”  An invitation sent to Del to perform at a Woody Guthrie Centennial concert in Tulsa a couple of years later gave her the opportunity to hear him singing a few of her father’s songs—“I think Del’s ‘So Long, It’s Been Good To Know Yuh’ is the best version I’ve ever heard,” she notes—and the deal was sealed.

For McCoury, Guthrie’s name was mostly unfamiliar, though his songs weren’t. “It took a while before I heard his name,” he remembers.  “But then I started learning that so many of the songs I was hearing, from ‘Philadelphia Lawyer’ to ‘This Land Is Your Land,’ were his.  So when Nora said she wanted to send me some lyrics, I already knew what a great writer he was.  She sent me a few, then sent me some more, a few dozen in all.”

“When I read them, it seemed pretty easy to me to hear the music that would fit.  Nora said, ‘you can change some things if you want to,’ and I said no.  He’s a great writer, and I do not want to change anything in his songs.  I would just like to put a melody to these words so that maybe folks will accept the songs, and that’s what we did."

Though it took the process years to come to fruition the result is an album that really transcends the concept of collaboration. For while Del McCoury is not quite of Guthrie's generation, these two American masters share an unsurpassed breadth of experience, outlook, shared interests and common backgrounds. So what you hear is the simple and easy unity of these two artists. As Nora Guthrie says, "It sounds as if these lyrics and melodies have been around together forever, or as Pete Seeger says, 'that's genius'."

No Depression summed it up best by saying “Even at first listen, ‘New York Trains’ is quite a revelation. It’s as though McCoury stumbled on his finest writing partner in the notebooks and antique paper-sheet lyric-sketches Nora gave him to explore. It becomes clear that, if there were ever two artists perfectly fit to make music together, they are Del McCoury and Woody Guthrie.”

The Del McCoury Band will be touring in support of this release in 2016.  On designated “Del & Woody” shows the band performs this album in its entirety with companion videos to each song playing behind them.  It really does bring Woody’s work to life after many years of these lyrics sitting on a shelf.

In 1976 the newly-formed David Grisman Quintet recorded the first album of dawg music, an acoustic blend of many styles and traditions. Now forty years later that music continues to evolve with this first recording of the David Grisman Sextet. Many faces, hearts and hands have changed but the musical vision is still intact — the Dawg's own music.

This release, the first album of Grisman originals in a decade, features dawg veterans Jim Kerwin (bass), Matt Eakle (flute), George Marsh (drums), new members Chad Manning (fiddle) and George Cole (guitar) and the Dawg himself. The tunes and arrangements offer the widest range of influences from swing and jazz to bluegrass, latin, funk and even old-time and ragtime! Don't miss this latest exciting chapter in Dawg music history!

The Travelin' McCourys are proud to announce The Grateful Ball Tour with Jeff Austin Band! After the success of the inaugural Grateful Ball in St. Louis, the bands decided to make a tour out of it! The ball consists of a full set from each band and then a set with both bands on stage together playing the songs of the Grateful Dead. 

The setlist from St. Louis included 

10/20 - State Theatre - State College, PA
10/21 - Rex Theater - Pittsburgh, PA
10/22 - Ardmore Music Hall - Ardmore, PA
10/23 - Flying Monkey Performance Center - Plymouth, NH
10/24 - Rams Head on Stage - Annapolis, MD
10/25 - Appalachian Brewing Company - Harrisburg, PA
10/26 - The Hamilton Live - Washington, DC

The Travelin’ McCourys have a lot to be excited about.  Today they announce the most extensive tour since their inception including several Grateful Ball dates (with Jeff Austin Band) and Bluegrass Ball dates across the country.  They also just released their first recorded single ‘Cumberland Blues’ and are announcing plans to release a new recorded song every month for the foreseeable future leading to the eventual release of a full album.

You can listen to Cumberland Blues here: https://soundcloud.com/rainmakermanagement/cumberland-blues/s-oNhU3

And finally, the band is excited to announce plans for a 2 day New Years party with Del McCoury Band and Jeff Austin Band at Bluegrass Underground!  Tickets will go on sale Tuesday, September 20^th at 10am CST. Packages include hotels, food, yoga, Friday 12/30 with Del McCoury Band, Saturday 12/31 with multiple sets from Travelin’ McCourys and Jeff Austin Band (including a Grateful Ball set), and much more!  Complete details can be found at: http://bluegrassunderground.com/new-years-eve-2017-countdown-underground/

Fall/Winter Dates include:

October 14 – Hillberry Music Festival – Eureka Springs, AR

October 20 – State Theatre – State College, PA (Grateful Ball with Jeff Austin Band) *

October 21 – Rex Theater – Pittsburgh, PA (Grateful Ball with Jeff Austin Band) *

October 22 – Ardmore Music Hall – Ardmore, PA (Grateful Ball with Jeff Austin Band) *

October 23 – Flying Monkey Performance Center – Bristol, NH (Grateful Ball with Jeff Austin Band)*

October 24 – Rams Head On Stage – Annapolis, MD (Grateful Ball with Jeff Austin Band)*

October 25 – Appalachian Brewing Company – Harrisburg, PA (Grateful Ball with Jeff Austin Band)*

October 26 – The Hamilton Live – Washington, DC (Grateful Ball with Jeff Austin Band)*

October 29 – Bluegrass Underground – McMinnville, TN (Grateful Ball with Jeff Austin Band)* SOLD OUT

October 30 – Suwannee Hulaween – Live Oak, FL

November 10 – Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC

November 11 – Imperial Theatre – Augusta, GA

November 12 – Riverhawk Music Festival – Brooksville, FL

November 13 – Terra Fermata – Stuart, FL

November 17 – Castle Theatre – Bloomington, IL (Bluegrass Ball with other band TBA)

November 18 – Old Rock House – St. Louis, MO (Bluegrass Ball with Nick Forster and Danny Barnes)

November 19 – The Garage at Knuckleheads – Kansas City, MO (Bluegrass Ball with Nick Forster and Danny Barnes)

November 20 – Bravo! Concert Series – Knoxville, IA

December 8 – Aggie Theatre – Ft. Collins, CO (Bluegrass Ball with Pert Near Sandstone)

December 9 – Caribou Room – Nederland, CO (Bluegrass Ball with Pert Near Sandstone)

December 10 – Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom – Denver, CO (Bluegrass Ball with Pert Near Sandstone)

December 15 & 16 – Isis Music Hall – Asheville, NC (Bluegrass Ball with Andy Thorn, Travis Book & Friends)

December 30 & 31 – Bluegrass Underground – McMinnville, TN

DelFest is excited to be celebrating 10 years of music, family, friends, and fun this year over Memorial Day weeks May 25-28 in Cumberland, MD.  Early Bird Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at a deeply discounted price here: http://bit.ly/2h36WfH On-site RV, Dry RV, Vehicle, and DELuxe packages will go on-sale in early January.

DelFest has put together this video to celebrate a decade as a festival:

DelFest is also pleased to once again offer DelFest Academy the Monday-Wednesday prior to the festival (May 22-24).  The Academy consists of a friendly, encouraging and intensive three-day learning experience with some of the finest musicians in bluegrass offering instruction for guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and bass for all experience levels. More details on the Academy can be found here.

Great American Taxi is excited to announce the much anticipated release of their new album "Dr. Feel Good's Traveling Medicine Show" on February 3rd.  They album features guest Duane Trucks (Hard Working Americans, Widespread Panic) on drums and is produced by Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth)

In the words of Todd Snider: 

DelFest 2017 will once again be held at the beautiful Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD (2.5 hrs from Baltimore and DC).  The festival originated from the desire to create a family-friendly music festival celebrating the rich legacy of McCoury music while creating a forum for world-class musical collaborations and to showcase fresh new talent with a down-home feeling. Produced in association with High Sierra Music, the 10th Annual DelFest will again offer a quality festival experience stamped with the unique McCoury touch.  Personally chosen by Del, the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD served as the perfect location for DelFest--nestled along the Potomac River in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, the Fairgrounds are convenient to four major airports and easily reached by rail or road.

The Del McCoury Band
The Travelin’ McCourys (feat. appearance by special guest Dierks Bentley)
Trey Anastasio Band 
Gov’t Mule
Béla Fleck & Chris Thile
Leftover Salmon 
Hot Rize
The Infamous Stringdusters
Steep Canyon Rangers
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
Sierra Hull
Jeff Austin Band
Cabinet
Donna The Buffalo
Fruition
Sara Watkins
Noam Pikelny
Billy Strings
Joe Craven & The Sometimers
Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
Dré’s Gospel Collective
and more!

The Travelin' McCourys started a very special string of shows called 'The Grateful Ball' in 2016. The show consists of a set of music from The Jeff Austin Band, a set of music from The Travelin' McCourys and then a set with both bands playing all Grateful Dead songs. While the band initially only planned to do one run, the success of the shows and demand from fans across the country made them rethink and plan a few more shows, this time on the West Coast.

Today the band releases a professionally shot video of 'Althea' from one of their first stops on the last tour at The Hamilton in Washington, DC. You can see the video here:

Upcoming Bluegrass Ball dates:

Delfest is going all out for their 10th Annual Festival lineup with additions including Railroad Earth, Tim O’Brien, The Gibson Brothers, artists at large Sierra Hull, Bryan Sutton, and Billy Strings, and multiple workshops. Delfest takes place over Memorial Day weekend, May 25-28 alongside the Potomac River in scenic Cumberland, MD. Ticket prices go up on March 7th. 

Just announced lineup additions: 

Railroad Earth

Tim O’Brien

The Gibson Brothers (Special Trio Set Leigh Eric & Mike Barber)

River Whyless

Dead Man Winter feat. Dave Simonett from (Trampled By Turtles)

Cris Jacobs

The Broomestix

Dead Winter Carpenters

The Ballroom Thieves

Head For the Hills

Ghost of Paul Revere

Kitchen Dwellers

Grand Ole’ Ditch

Artists At Large

Sierra Hull

Billy Strings

Bryan Sutton

Workshops With

Pete Wernick 

Nick Forster

Joe Craven

Southern Blues Rocker Tinsley Ellis debuted his new side project Tinsley Ellis Blues Is Dead on April 9 at the three-day Skull and Roses Festival in Ventura, California alongside Melvin Seals and JGB, Leo Nocentelli, David Gans, Tom Constanten, Mark Karan and many other Grateful Dead-oriented acts.

Blues Is Dead focuses on the Blues and R&B songs performed and recorded by The Grateful Dead and other Fillmore era artists. Tinsley leads this lineup of Blues and Jam band veterans who dance the fine line between the Blues and improvisational Rock music. Tinsley has been a longtime guest of acts such as Widespread Panic, The Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule, Derek Trucks as well as Blues legends Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, James Cotton and Koko Taylor.

“I've been a fan of The Grateful Dead since 1972 when ‘Europe '72’ came out. My friends and I literally wore that album out, along with ‘The Allman Brothers Band Live Fillmore East.’ We all went to see The Dead in concert at Atlanta's Fox Theatre and were blown away. That was during the Keith and Donna years. I'm having a ball stretching out musically and jamming on Blues songs like ‘Spoonful,’ ‘Turn On Your Love Light’ and ‘Wang Dang Doodle’ with Blues Is Dead.”

Tinsley Ellis Blues Is Dead is booked worldwide by Barron Ruth at Crossover Touring in Decatur, Georgia.

Tinsley Ellis Blues Is Dead tour dates:

5/19 Blackhorse Pub, Knoxville, Tennessee
5/20 City Winery, Nashville, Tennessee
5/21 Old Rock House, St Louis, Missouri
5/23 State Room, Salt Lake City, Utah
5/24 Henry Strater Theater, Durango, Colorado
5/25 CO River Concert Series, Fruita, Colorado
5/26 Globe Hall, Denver, Colorado
5/27 Ute Theater, Rifle, Colorado
5/28 Reserve Casino Hotel, Central City, Colorado
8/4 Terminal West, Atlanta, Georgia
8/5   New Mountain Theatre, Asheville, North Carolina
8/19 Riverfront Nights, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Old Shoe is excited to announce that the long awaited follow up to the band’s 2013 release, Family, is finally here. Country Home features 13 all-original tracks. In a search to find their own Country Home, the album was written over the course of the last couple years with a good portion of the tunes being written in Oneida County, WI at a country home. The album was recorded at the same studio as their earlier release Family, I.V. Labs Studio in Chicago and is engineered, mixed, and co-produced by Chris Harden. Country Home is set to be released on October 6th which will be celebrated that day in Chicago at 1st Ward at Chop Shop with Chicago Farmer and Edward David Anderson joining the party.

The pre-order link is http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/oldshoe

Old Shoe is a five-piece Roots Rock n' Roll band based out of Chicago, Illinois. Made up of talented songwriters from across the country, hailing from as far away as Alaska, the band's compositions paint a diverse landscape of American life.

In just a few weeks Old Shoe will travel ‘home’ for their very own festival, Shoe Fest, in Manteno, IL. This year’s festival features 2 nights of Old Shoe and Leftover Salmon, plus Jeff Austin Band, Henhouse Prowlers, The Schwag and MANY more.

Here is a sneak peak at the track ‘Long Black Hair’

https://soundcloud.com/old-shoe/long-black-hair-old-shoe

McCoury's Management confirmed on August 21st that Rob McCoury will be taking a sabbatical from The Travelin' McCourys.  His last date was August 26th at the Moontower Festival.  Rob, the youngest son of icon Del McCoury, was asked to participate in a unique pilot program, partially funded by String Cheese Incident's Billy Nershi, on the Polynesian influence on progressive string music.  While not wildly known, the youngest McCoury is often referred to as a bit of a scholar.  Knowledgeable not only of music history, but also instrument construction, wildlife management, and numerous ancient brewing techniques.

When reached for a comment, he offered "Bela and Jim Mills inspired me with their travels to Africa, and I have often found myself under the influence of Polynesian culture. There's a paper umbrella and a world of knowledge in my future."

Travelin' McCourys are proud to announce the addition of Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon who will be joining them initially on September 7th-9th...what the future holds beyond there is uncertain.

The world of bluegrass music has lost more than a double handful of its emblematic festivals in the past year, but with decades of family-friendly events from Florida to Virginia under his belt, one event producer is still going strong. Norman& Adams has produced over 200 events during 43 years as a bluegrass festival promoter, including one stretch where he presented Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass, for 25 years in a row—and today, he’s still giving a platform to the top acts in bluegrass on a regular basis, averaging 10 festivals a year. By our count, he is the top employer in Bluegrass.

That’s a track record unequaled by any other promoter, and to Eric and Leigh, the music’s renowned Gibson Brothers, it’s something to be celebrated.  And so, in recognition of Adams’ commitment and the value of Adams Bluegrass, the twice-recognized International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainers of the Year will appear at every one of Adams’ events over an entire year, starting in November 2017.

As part of the effort, the Brothers will spend multiple days at many of the events, offering not only their signature sounds, but special sets and collaborations, too.  They’ll even suggest a few added family events to help engage new fans and bring an even stronger sense of community to bluegrass, and the festivals that have become family reunions for so many.

Additionally, Rainmaker Music Management is offering the company’s services to help brand, market, and expand the reach of these events, with the goal of keeping them going for another 40 years and more.  Says Rainmaker’s Chris Harris, “Bluegrass music needs Adams Bluegrass's events just as much as Adams Bluegrass events need Bluegrass music.”

“We've worked with Norman for years,” says Leigh Gibson.  “And there's one thing for sure: he knows how to put on a quality festival. You're always going to have good sound, good people, and a fan-friendly event.  We always spend a lot of time in the crowd at his festivals, talking with folks and having a good time. We are honored to have the chance to come alongside of him and help usher in a new generation of fans to keep these festivals going strong for many more years to come.”

When asked about the Gibson Brothers, Norman said, “The Gibson Brothers are super entertainers and Adams Bluegrass, LLC is honored to team up with these guys in promoting bluegrass music”

Here are all of the Adams Bluegrass events starting with the Fall Palatka Festival:

Fall Palatka Bluegrass Festival

November 9, 10 & 11, 2017

Rodeheaver Boys’ Ranch

380 Boys Ranch Road

Palatka, FL 32177

48th Annual South Carolina State Bluegrass Festival

Convention Center--Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

2101 North Oak Street

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

November 23, 24 & 25, 2017

42nd Annual New Year's Bluegrass Festival

 Jekyll Island Convention Center

Jekyll Island, GA 31527

January 4, 5 & 6, 2018

6th Annual Little Roy & Lizzy Music Festival 

May 3, 4 & 5,  2018

Elijah Clark State Park

2959 McCormick Hwy

Lincolnton, GA 30817

Cherokee Bluegrass Festival

​June 7, 8 & 9, 2018

Happy Holiday RV Village

1553 Wolfetown Rd

Cherokee, North Carolina 28719

38th Annual Music in the Mountains Bluegrass Festival

June 20, 21, 22 & 23, 2018

Summersville Music Park

7441 Webster Road

Summersville, WV 26651​

44th Annual North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival

August 16, 17 & 18, 2018

Tom Johnson's Camping Center

1885 US 70 West

Marion, NC 28752

Anderson Bluegrass Festival

​October 25, 26 & 27, 2018

In the Civic Center of Anderson, SC

3027 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.

Anderson, SC 29625

Details and tickets available at www.adamsbluegrass.com or call 706-864-7203. Sound by Blue Ridge Sound and Sherry Boyd, M.C

Old Shoe is excited to announce that the long awaited follow up to the band’s 2013 release, Family, is finally here. Country Home features 13 all-original tracks. In a search to find their own Country Home, the album was written over the course of the last couple years with a good portion of the tunes being written in Oneida County, WI at a country home. The album was recorded at the same studio as their earlier release Family, I.V. Labs Studio in Chicago and is engineered, mixed, and co-produced by Chris Harden. Country Home is set to be released on October 6th which will be celebrated that day in Chicago at 1st and Ward at Chop Shop with Chicago Farmer and Edward David Anderson joining the party.

The pre-order link is http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/oldshoe

Old Shoe is a five-piece Roots Rock n' Roll band based out of Chicago, Illinois. Made up of talented songwriters from across the country, hailing from as far away as Alaska, the band's compositions paint a diverse landscape of American life.

In just a few weeks Old Shoe will travel ‘home’ for their very own festival, Shoe Fest, in Manteno, IL. This year’s festival features 2 nights of Old Shoe and Leftover Salmon, plus Jeff Austin Band, Henhouse Prowlers, The Schwag and MANY more.

Old Shoe is excited to announce that the long awaited follow up to the band’s 2013 release, Family, is finally here. Country Home features 13 all-original tracks. In a search to find their own Country Home, the album was written over the course of the last couple years with a good portion of the tunes being written in Oneida County, WI at a country home. The album was recorded at the same studio as their earlier release Family, I.V. Labs Studio in Chicago and is engineered, mixed, and co-produced by Chris Harden. Country Home is set to be released on October 6th which will be celebrated that day in Chicago at 1st Ward at Chop Shop with Chicago Farmer and Edward David Anderson joining the party.

The pre-order link is http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/oldshoe

Old Shoe is a five-piece Roots Rock n' Roll band based out of Chicago, Illinois. Made up of talented songwriters from across the country, hailing from as far away as Alaska, the band's compositions paint a diverse landscape of American life.

Old Shoe Country Home release dates

10/6 - 1st Ward Chop Shop - Chicago, IL
10/12 - The Hi-Fi - Indianapolis, IN
10/13 - Lamasco Bar & Grill - Evansville, IN
10/14 - Kenny's Westside Pub - Peoria, IL
10/20 & 10/21 - Union Street Station - Traverse City, MI
10/26 - Bar None - Springfield, IL
10/27 - Old Rock House - St. Louis, MO
11/17 - RIBCO - Rock Island, IL
11/18 - Harmony Bar - Madison, WI

Originally making waves as a founding member and lead guitarist for longtime Midwest music scene staple, The Smokin' Bandits, Pat Ferguson has emerged as a renowned and nationally recognized solo performer, songwriter, and vocalist. His sound channels Americana, bluegrass, and folk, deeply influenced by his Upper Mississippi River musical roots. 

Based in Madison, WI, Pat has announced the release of his first full-length solo effort, Light of Day / Dark of Night, due out 4/27/18 on LoHi Records. Produced by Adam Greuel of Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Light of Day / Dark of Night is a record that paints the picture of retrospect and builds an appreciation for what it means to ride the highest of highs or lowest of lows, while longing with admiration for the other. The album showcases a collection of original music that combines gorgeous instrumentation, stirring harmonies, and powerful songwriting rooted in his core influences. 

Featuring guest contributions from the likes of Jacob Jolliff (Yonder Mountain String Band), Kyle Keegan (Ben Howard & Mandolin Orange), Kenny Leiser (Wheelhouse), Chad Staehly (Hard Working Americans & Great American Taxi), Sarah Vos (Dead Horses), and Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Light of Day / Dark of Night is a pure representation of the power of musical collaboration, chronicling a journey that will speak to music lovers of all genres and generations. Pat will be on tour the Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2018 performing solo and also with his band, The Sundown Sound, in support of the record. 

When off the road, Pat hosts two residencies in Madison. He is the house musician at HotelRED and performs every Wednesday evening, and also hosts a "Pat Ferguson & Friends" residency the last Tuesday of the month at the UpNorth Madison which features some of Madison's finest musicians. In fifteen years of touring, Pat has shared the stage and performed with Grammy Award winners, Country Music and Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame members, and countless other world-class musicians including Merle Haggard, Little Feat, Dr. John, Jason Isbell, Todd Snider, Great American Taxi, The Big Wu, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Dead Horses, The People Brothers Band, Bill Miller, Trampled by Turtles, Chicago Farmer, and many more.  

Shoe Fest is proud to announce the lineup for the 8th annual festival.  Shoe Fest will once again be held at the beautiful and scenic Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See in Manteno, IL (less than 1 hour south of Chicago), Labor Day weekend (August 31-September 2).  Tickets are on sale now!

Jam packed with events for both adults and kids, Shoe Fest will be loaded with family friendly and kid activities, special music sets for the kids, family camping and more – so bring the kids along or take them to Grandma’s and set out on your own, there is something for everyone!  In addition to the great music and activities, Shoe Fest once again encourages you to enjoy the amazing surroundings; swim in the creek, dance among the water fall, and enjoy nature walks along the Kankakee State Park. This year will also feature the inaugural Shoe Fest Leisure Olympics!

But as always, it’s all about the music. With 3 stages and campfire corner, your ears will never go hungry. 

2018 Lineup 

Old Shoe (2 Nights)

The Travelin’ McCourys

30DB (with Jeff Austin and Brendan Bayliss)

Grateful Ball w/ The Travelin’ McCourys and Jeff Austin playing the songs of the Grateful Dead

Allie Kral from Yonder Mountain String Band (Artist at Large)

Bonnie Paine of Elephant Revival with Taarka

Love Canon

Dead Horses

Henhouse Prowlers

Mr. Blotto

Chicago Farmer

Lowdown Brass Band

Helping Phriendly Orchestra

People Brothers Band

Growler

Sun Beard

Miles Over Mountains

Still Shine

Jaik Willis

Dan Andree Trio

Packy Lundholm

Stampy

Bashful Youngens

Althea Grace

Kara Cavanaugh

Lunar Ticks

Fall Classic

Fuzzlove

River Valley Rangers

The All Good Things Band

Mr. Dave Music

Hard to believe that almost 20 short years ago Cornmeal stepped on to the "stage" in the front bar of the Abbey Pub on a blistery cold Chicago winter night. 4 guys and a passion for bluegrass fumbled through some traditionals and early originals. This January we celebrate that legacy and everything in between with a barnstorm of a show including special guests from throughout the many years as a band.

Saturday, January 25th, 2020:

Martyrs’

3855 N Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL

Doors: 8pm
Tickets: $15
Ages: 21+
Tickets on sale now at: http://martyrslive.com

After 20 solid years on the road, Cornmeal continues it’s tradition of explosive live shows and sophisticated, captivatingly fun originals. Assembling a lineup of some of Chicago most venerable musicians, Cornmeal’s late stage reinvention is breathing new life into the band and it’s performances. Be sure not to miss them as the head out for a few select shows this coming 2020.

A nationally recognized live music institution, Cornmeal is heavily influenced by American roots and folk music and seamlessly blends lightning fast tempos and impeccable harmonies into an unrivaled live performance that continues to expand upon the five-piece acoustic-electric groups’ vast musical repertoire. While steeped in the tradition of the past, Cornmeal continues to forge a path all their own, pushing the boundaries of bluegrass, Americana and folk for a whole new generation of music lovers. With a growing fan base and ever-evolving sound, Cornmeal challenges the recipe of bluegrass and live performance. 

Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment in conjunction with the Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee announce the Immokalee Bluegrass Festival, a FREE bluegrass music festival in the city of Immokalee, Florida.  The free festival will feature six outdoor concerts and an additional two concerts indoors in the casino’s Zig Zag Lounge after the festival concludes.  There will also be a large vendor section and a variety of arts and food trucks. Admission is free, and attendees are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs for concert viewing. For more information, visit www.immokaleebluegrass.com

“In an effort to continuously expand our presence in SW Florida, we are happy to enter into this agreement with the Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee to produce this annual FREE bluegrass Festival” says Jay Goldberg of Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment.  “The casino is looking for ways to give back to the community and, together, we developed this festival.  We look forward to work with the top names in bluegrass!”

This first-year festival has a stellar talent line-up featuring:  The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Del & Dawg (Del McCoury & David Grisman, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Barefoot Movement, Balsam Range & The South Carolina Broadcasters.

About Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment (JGEE): Founded in 1971, JGEE began by investing and building artists in the Midwest for nearly 50 years.  In addition to presenting some of the top names in the industry like The Eagles, Elton John, Metallica, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, etc. JGEE prides itself on starting early with artists to build a fanbase.  With its various properties including The Summer Camp Music Festival, Peoria Blues and Heritage Music Festival, Blackbird, The Canopy Club, JGEE has been proud to present some of today’s top selling artists beginning when they were doing 200-300 people in clubs to headlining for 25,000 plus people at the festivals.  In 2013, JGEE began expanding into southwest Florida to bring some of the best touring names into various venues and casinos.  JGEE continues to work hard to develop the Florida market and beyond.