50 years after Del McCoury released his 1968 album Del McCoury Sings Bluegrass, the iconic musician and his Del McCoury Band have announced the upcoming release of their latest album, Del McCoury Still Sings Bluegrass. The record will drop on May 25th, which happens to be the same weekends as the 11th annual DelFest in Cumberland, MD.
Last week, Rolling Stone debuted “To Make Love Sweeter From You”, the first single off of Del McCoury Still Sings Bluegrass (the song was originally a chart-topping country hit for Jerry Lee Lewis in 1968). Additionally, McCoury performed three tunes for Garden & Gun’s Back Porch Sessions, including another cut from the new album titled “Letters Have No Arms”.
Del McCoury Band – “To Make Love Sweeter For You”
Del McCoury Still Sings Bluegrass features 14 tracks, and finds the bluegrass legend backed by his longtime band: Ronnie McCoury (mandolin), Rob McCoury (banjo), Jason Carter (fiddle), and Alan Bartran (bass). In a move that is both traditional and unconventional for the Del McCoury Band, Ronnie’s son—and Del’s grandson—Heaven McCoury also adds some electric guitar to the mix on a number of tracks.
“What I like in a record is variety of moods, of tempos,” Del said in a press release. “I consider myself traditional at heart, but I don’t have any boundaries. I’m just a guy that likes to sing and play music. Whatever strikes me to do I’ll do it. Without wrecking things.”
The Del McCoury Band will support their new record with a series of tour dates this spring and summer. Among them will be a few tour dates at the 11th annual DelFest, a beloved bluegrass-centric gathering that takes its name from the 79-year-old guitarist and singer. Other acts on the bill include The Travelin’ McCourys, Old Crow Medicine Show, Greensky Bluegrass, The Infamous Sringdusters, and The Bluegrass Congress (a collaboration with The Del McCoury Band, David Grisman, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Bryan Sutton, & Stuart Duncan).
Del McCoury Band Tour Dates: