Tyler Childers closed down DelFest on Sunday with help from hosts The Travelin’ McCourys. The special collaborative set included a cover of Grateful Dead‘s “The Greatest Story Ever Told”.
The Kentucky singer-songwriter has evidently developed a taste for the Bob Weir/Robert Hunter composition ever since he joined the Dead guitarist at his Ace 50th-anniversary concerts at Radio City Music Hall last month. That two-night stand witnessed Childers, who has parsley performed since the onset of the pandemic and release of his charged 2020 album, Long Violent History, join Weir & Wolf Bros on “The Greatest Story Ever Told” on both nights, as well as Hank Williams‘ “You Win Again” on night one and Merle Haggard‘s “Mama Tried” on night two.
Sunday’s performance differed from Tyler’s staging with Bobby, with The Travelin’ McCourys providing a more traditional bluegrass bend to the song. Childers explored mountain music on Long Violent History, weaving the traditions of bluegrass music in with powerful social commentary on racial issues facing the United States.
Watch Tyler Childers and The Travelin’ McCourys perform “The Greatest Story Ever Told” by the Grateful Dead at DelFest. The clip begins with “Percheron Blues”, a new original song Childers debuted during a soundcheck at The Avett Brothers‘ Mexican destination event on January 29th. Childers has a few tour dates on the calendar including sets at Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Willie Nelson’s 4th Of July Picnic, as well as two nights at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. For tickets, visit his website.
Tyler Childers & Travelin’ McCourys – “Percheron Blues”, “The Greatest Story Ever Told” (Grateful Dead) – 5/29/22