Grand Ole Opry Member Spotlight: Del McCoury

Grand Ole Opry Country Music Show - Nashville

Dierks Bentley - The Opry's Youngest Member

For decades, Del McCoury has been known as one of the great guitar pickers of bluegrass. Bluegrass fans of all generations come from all around the nation to see the amazing talent of Del McCoury and his band.

Background and Early Career

• Del, born Delano Floyd McCoury and raised in York County, Pennsylvania, was introduced to bluegrass music at a young age by his older brother. He listened to records by artists like Flatt and Scruggs and was instantly enamored with bluegrass music.
• Throughout the 1960s, Del played at various honky-tonks around Baltimore and Washington D.C. Prior to practicing music only part-time, Del had been a part of four bands: The Blue Grass Boys, the Golden State Boys, the Shady Valley Boys, and the Dixie Pals.
• Before Del formed the Del McCoury band, he practiced music only part-time for about 25 years. During this time, he worked as a logging truck driver to support his growing family. Even though his music was only a part-time job, Del's fame as a great guitar player was steadily growing.
• In the 1990s, the Del McCoury Band was created, and Del and his family moved to Nashville so he could work at his music full-time. By the end of the 1990s, Del and his band were the top winners at the International Bluegrass Music Association annual awards.

Grand Ole Opry Induction

• Del says that through his childhood, he and his family always listened to the Grand Ole Opry. In 1963, Del made his first appearance at the Opry with the Blue Grass Boys. Forty years later, Del was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, an honor he had hoped for his entire life.

Grand Ole Opry Induction

• In between performing at arts centers, bluegrass festivals, and youth-centered jamfests, you can see Del and his band at the Grand Ole Opry. If you'd like to know when Del will be performing next, take a look at our Grand Ole Opry Blog for schedules.

Notable Hits You Might Hear at the Grand Ole Opry

• "It's Just the Night"
• "Let an Old Racehorse Run"
• "My Love Will Not Change"
• "I'm Afraid I Forgot the Feeling"
• "I Can Hear the Angels Singing"
• "Nothin' Special"
• "She Can't Burn Me Now"
• "I Never Knew Life"
• "Seventh Heaven"
• "Never Grow Up Boy"
• "Mountain Song"

More Details

• Del and his band have enjoyed immense support from younger fans, the tie dye wearing "Del-heads." The Del McCoury Band has received fame in the mainstream media by collaborating with the alternative rock band Phish.
• When Del was a part of the Golden State Boys, he and his wife lived in California. Because the Bluegrass scene was not as popular there, they moved back to the East Coast, which provided much more work for a blossoming Bluegrass artist.
• See the complete list of current Grand Ole Opry members!