Del McCoury Band

Biography

The Del McCoury Band is a Grammy Award-winning American bluegrass band.

History

Originally the band was called Del McCoury and the Dixie Pals with Del on guitar and his brother Jerry on bass. The band went through a number of changes in personnel until the 1980s when the band solidified its line-up, adding McCoury's sons, Ronnie and Rob McCoury on mandolin and banjo, respectively. In 1988, the "Dixie Pals" name was dropped in favor of the current name. Fiddler Tad Marks and bass player Mike Brantley joined in the early 1990s while the band became a national touring act. The addition of fiddler Jason Carter and bassist Mike Bub in 1992 created a lineup that was unchanged for 13 years. Bub left the band in 2005 and was replaced by Alan Bartram. Carter announced in early 2025 that he was leaving the band to focus on his solo career.

Collaborations

The band recorded with Steve Earle on "I Still Carry You Around" on his 1997 album El Corazón. They shared co-billing on his 1999 album The Mountain.
The band has also often performed in recent years with the Lee Boys, with setlists mixing bluegrass, funk and gospel with extended jams on many songs.

Travelin' McCourys

The Travelin' McCourys are an offshoot of the Del McCoury Band, featuring all current (2009) members of the band minus Del, augmented by guitarist Cody Kilby on live performances.
The Travelin' McCourys also often play joint concerts with the Lee Boys.

Band members

Current members
Del McCoury - vocals, guitar (1967–present)
Ronnie McCoury - vocals, mandolin (1981–present)
Rob McCoury - vocals, banjo (1987–present)
Alan Bartram - vocals, bass (August 2005–present)
Christian Ward – vocals, fiddle (2025–present)
Former members
Jerry McCoury - bass (1967–1989)
Billy Baker - fiddle (1967)
Mike Brantley - bass (1989–1992)
Tad Marks - fiddle (1990–1992)
Mike Bub - bass (May 1992–June 2005)
Dennis Crouch - bass (July 2005)
Jason Carter - fiddle (1992–2025)
Dick Smith - banjo, mandolin
Paul Silvius - banjo
Sonny Miller - fiddle
Dick Staber - mandolin

Contributions

2007: Ronnie McCoury - Little Mo' McCoury (McCoury Music)
2007: Various Artists: Song of America - "The Times They Are a-Changin'"