THE DEL McCOURY BAND
May 4, 2024
Preview & Photos: David Simchock
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Venue: Salvage Station - Asheville, North Carolina
Doors: 5:30pm
Show: 6:30pm
The outdoor concert season has officially kicked off at the Salvage Station in Asheville, NC, and things are about to heat up Appalachian style on the big stage with one of the top bluegrass act to ever grace any stage, anywhere -- The Del McCoury Band. Del and the fellas, along with special guests Wyatt Ellis and Tray Wellington early Saturday evening, May 4th.
It's been a few years since I've had the chance to see and photograph The Del McCoury Band (January 2018 at the Diana Wortham Theatre in Asheville, NC), although I did get to see Del perform with the Dawg himself -- David Grisman -- a couple years back at the annual Mountain Song Festival in Brevard, NC (hosted by the Steep Canyon Rangers).
Most would say that Del McCoury is a national treasure, and I could not agree with that more. The personality and occasional humor that he brings to the stage only adds to the fan experience of being in the presence of such a musical icon.
Taken directly from the band's bio:
"Even among the pantheon of music’s finest artists, Del McCoury stands alone . From thenascent sound of bluegrass that charmed hardscrabble hillbilly honkytonks, rural schoolhousestages, and the crowning glory of the Grand Ole Opry to the present-day culture-buzz of viralvideos and digital streams, Del is the living link . On primetime and late-night television talkshows, there is Del. From headlining sold-out concerts to music festivals of all genres, includingone carrying his namesake, there is Del. Where audiences number in the tens of thousands,and admirers as diverse as country-rock icon Steve Earle and jamband royalty Phish count astwo among hundreds, there is Del."
Oh, and his band, which includes his sons Ronnie (mandolin) and Rob (banjo) ain't so shabby, either.
And, if there wasn't enough talent for you with Del and his band, the evening will also introduce mandolin prodigy, Wyatt Ellis, to the big Salvage Station stage.
Still not enough? Add Ashe County (NC) native, Tray Wellington (banjo) to the mix to round off a spring evening of top-tier pickin' and grinnin'.
Below you'll find a few of my photo highlights from past shows that I've photographed of Del and the band, along with a few photos from his gig with David Grisman at the 2022 Mountain Song Festival
Photos © Copyright David Simchock (Do not copy or publish without permission.)
