Del McCoury Band

It was Flatt and Scruggs that first introduced a young Del McCoury to bluegrass. “When I heard ‘Rolling in my Sweet Baby’s Arms,” I just couldn't leave that record alone.” Del was so impressed that he decided to take up the banjo. “Not many people played banjo like Scruggs. I didn't know anyone who played three-finger style, so I had to learn from records. In 1967, I started my own band…that was the Dixie Pals.”

Constant personnel changes were a matter a fact for most bluegrass acts of the day, especially given the pressure of keeping full-time employment while maintaining a band. In 1981, Del's son Ronnie began playing with the band. Among those who encouraged the young Ronnie was Bill Monroe.

“He really took a liking to Ronnie and let him play his mandolin. He was good enough after his first year to play rhythm in the band. I thought he might lose interest because not everyone's cut out to be a musician. But once the boys started playing, they never quit.”

Ronnie and Robbie McCoury have developed into two of the finest instrumentalists of their generation. It was their input that helped revitalize Del and gives him the inspiration to carry on. While both grew up absorbing Dad's influence, they aren't afraid to bring fresh contemporary arrangements and material to the group.