Happy Birthday Del McCoury: Performing At DelFest

Legendary bluegrass guitarist Del McCoury celebrates his 78th birthday today. The impeccably dressed patriarch of a family of bluegrass musicians, Del has shown little desire to slow down as he vibrantly leads The Del McCoury Band alongside his sons Ronnie McCoury and Rob McCoury.

In May 2008 McCoury established DelFest – a multi-day music festival held annually at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, Maryland. DelFest celebrates its 10th anniversary this year on May 25 – 28 with a lineup featuring The Del McCoury Band, Trey Anastasio Band, Dierks Bentley, Gov’t Mule and many others, including several top bluegrass players. For Del’s birthday today, here’s a look back at the renowned musician performing at each of the DelFests to date.

Here’s The Del McCoury Band at the inaugural DelFest in 2008. Captured by Jeff Henry, watch their take on “Black Jack County Chain” following an instrumental lead-in below:

In 2009, Del and his band were joined by his brothers GC McCoury and Jerry McCoury. The family was also joined by Tim O’Brien for a rendition of “Little Girl of Mine in Tennessee.” Watch the performance captured by n2pickn here:

This video from DelFest 2010 features something you don’t often see: Del playing the banjo. Captured by n2pickn during the McCoury Family Reunion playshop, watch Del show off his skills with only five strings below:

Yonder Mountain String Band had the pleasure of welcoming McCoury (and Jason Carter) to the stage during Delfest in 2011. Del sat-in on guitar and vocals on “The First Whippoorwill” and “The Prisoner’s Song.” Video of the collaborative “The Prisoner’s Song” shared by Marty Dougherty can be seen here:

One of Del’s most beloved originals is undoubtedly “Beauty Of My Dreams.” Helped in popularity by Phish’s covering of the tune, the rendition below was dedicated to Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio’s father Ernie who was in the audience at DelFest in 2012. Watch “Beauty” thanks to Cosmic Vibes below:

“High On A Mountain” by Ola Belle Reed has been a staple of Del’s repertoire for years. Here’s excellent footage posted by Marty Dougherty from DelFest 2013 of The Del McCoury Band performing the song:

Greensky Bluegrass had the honor of a Del sit-in back at DelFest in 2014. Another Ola Belle Reed composition, “I’ve Endured,” can be seen being performed by GSBG and McCoury in this audience-shot video posted by DCRANGERFAN:

Del’s son Rob McCoury brought his son Vassar to the stage at DelFest in 2015. The grandson’s presence accounted for three generations of McCourys on stage at one time. Here’s the family jamming together via B Chord Media:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNIYEIE0qdQ

Finally, from last year’s DelFest comes this footage captured by Kenny Jones Jr of the Sam Bush Band with Del sitting-in. The video features “Midnight On The Stormy Deep,” a song penned by Bill Monroe, the bluegrass icon who helped foster Del’s early career. Watch Del and Sam here: