Del McCoury Band with Leftover Salmon

Even among music’s greats, Del McCoury stands apart as a living link to bluegrass history. From rural honkytonks and the Grand Ole Opry to festival main stages and national television, there is Del—carrying the tradition forward for more than six decades. Born in York County, PA, he was inspired as a teen by Earl Scruggs before catching the opportunity of a lifetime in 1963: joining Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys. Under Monroe’s mentorship, McCoury became lead singer and guitarist, absorbing the music at its source. Through decades of touring and recording, and later at the helm of the Del McCoury Band alongside his sons Ronnie and Rob, he has remained a steadfast torchbearer—earning new generations of fans and collaborators ranging from Vince Gill and Alison Krauss to Steve Earle and Phish.
With remarkable stability—just one lineup change in nearly three decades—the Del McCoury Band has amassed ten IBMA Entertainer of the Year awards, two Grammy wins, and Del’s 2003 induction into the Grand Ole Opry. From the Down From The Mountain tour to collaborations like American Legacies with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, McCoury’s open-minded spirit has broadened bluegrass’ reach while honoring its roots. Through DelFest, he champions both legends and rising stars, and on recent releases like Songs of Love and Life, he continues to embrace challenge and discovery. After more than sixty years, Del McCoury remains not just a keeper of tradition, but an enduring American treasure.