Mr. Del McCoury Turns 80 At the Grand DEL Opry.

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Jan 182019
 

You know folks this past year I have indeed covered a LOT of things that Bluegrass Legend Mr. Del McCoury has been doing, simply because I appreciate his contributions to his craft SO MUCH. But honestly, let’s face it everyone..look what he does for the younger generation that are traveling the roads he paved. He literally has taken Mr. Billy Strings under his wings as well as other bands.

He and his entourage of masterminds have assembled one of the nation’s HOTTEST festivals in Maryland called DelFest, That has opened many doors for new artists and bands alike, and has turned MANY fans (including myself) onto some DARN GOOD bands in the Bluegrass community.

His career spans decades, and involves more people and places than I can even write in an article, but I always give it one hell of a college try. He has graced just about every Bluegrass festival I can think of including one of my favorite ( what I call) variety festivals….Muddy Roots. he played one heck of a memorable show there that year, and secured his place in Muddy history! I cover 200 festivals a year, and I can pretty much dictate what years he played what festivals.

The mighty Grand Ole Opry, I mean do I really need to elaborate on the significance of this name or this institution? I truly think that the Opry means just as much to Mr. Del as it does to all of us, and I think Mr. Del McCoury means a LOT to the Opry in return. Why, I’m almost adamant that standing inside that circle of wood means the world to Mr. Del….so now I suppose you ask WHAT is my point in this rambling?

February 13th, 2019 Mr. Del McCoury will be celebrating his 80th birthday at the Opry, and taking over the entire program, thusly it has been dubbed the Grand Del Opry! With special guests already announced being Mr. Sam Bush, Mr. Marty Stuart, The Del McCoury Band, Mr. Ricky Skaggs, The Travelin McCourys and Mr. Vince Gill. MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!

Please go HERE to get your tickets for this event by going HERE and there will also be pre sales, you can get them by going HERE.

Dierks Bentley and Old Crow Medicine Show will be joining Del’s birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry.  Don’t miss out on the biggest party of the year and get your tickets now.
We want all you Delheads to have an opportunity to experience Del at The Grand Ole Opry.  The Opry is an institution and means more to Del than any venue in the country, and everyone should visit it at least once. The Opry is offering a student discount for Del’s 80th Birthday Celebration, click the link below for buy one get one free tickets in the Opry’s student section!  Discount applies even if you are a student at heart!!!!

Bluegrass Legend Bobby Osborne Releases A New Albums In 2017.

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Mar 262017
 

We haven’t heard anything new from Bluegrass Legend Bobby Osborne since 2009’s Bluegrass And Beyond, but I feel we are in store for a real treat in the next few weeks with the release of Rural Rhythm Records. They are very proud to announce today’s new album release, “MEMORIES: Celebrating Bobby’s 60th Anniversary as a Professional Entertainer.” The album was produced by Glen Duncan, Bobby Osborne and Bobby Osborne, Jr. and contains many golden classics and new original songs written especially for this celebratory project.

As most of you know Bobby and Sonny Osborne were the first Bluegrass act to play on the Opry with amplified instruments as they played the 1967 classic Rocky Top with amplified instruments until 1974 when the Opry moved from the Ryman to the new house. They reverted back to acoustic instruments due to noise stipulations at the venue, and in the 80’s it was inducted as the Tennessee state song. The Osborne Brothers were also the first Bluegrass band to perform at the White House.

A new classic has emerged from bluegrass legend, Bobby Osborne.  The new album, ORIGINAL, features the pioneering high-lead vocalist in fine form, floating above inspired song choices and holding court over an all star group of bluegrass pickers and singers including Sierra Hull, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, Vince Gill, Jim Lauderdale, Claire Lynch, Michael Cleveland, Stuart Duncan, Rob Ickes, Trey Hensley, Missy Raines, Josh Williams, Molly Tuttle, Todd Phillips, and more, hand picked by producer, Alison Brown.
Bobby will appear at the Grand Ole Opry today, March 31st to sign copies of the album, which are available now at the Opry store and website (available everywhere else June 2nd).  Available now for pre-order through the Compass store.

This one is available on Compass Records as well. This from the labels website on the available pre-order:

The new album features an all star cast of pickers and singers collaborating with Bobby on an eclectic set of songs. Relative newcomers Sierra Hull and Trey Hensley team up with stalwarts Stuart Duncan and Todd Phillips on grass’d up versions of Paint Your Wagon’s “They Call The Wind Maria” and the Bee Gees’ “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You.” The never before recorded Darrell Scott song “Kentucky Morning,” featuring Rob Ickes, gives a nod to Bobby’s heritage while the cover of “Make the World Go Away” with the lush twin fiddles of Buddy Spicher and Matt Combs evokes Music Row circa 1962. Bobby’s touring band the Rocky Top X-Press, with sons Wynn, Robby and Bobby Osborne Jr., deliver an updated version of the Osborne Brothers’ classic “Pathway of Teardrops” while Ronnie and Robbie McCoury, together with Josh Williams and Missy Raines, collaborate on a version of the obscure Mel Tillis song “Goodbye Wheeling.” Additional performers include Sam Bush, Vince Gill, Jim Lauderdale, Del McCoury, Darrell Scott, David Mayfield, Molly Tuttle, Bryan McDowell, and Kenny Malone.

Steel Guitar Legend Weldon Myrick Dies

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May 312014
 

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I learned this morning that Country Music Legend and Steel Guitarist Weldon Myrick
is having some serious health issues that I cannot comment on right now
but I felt the need to write a salute to honor his contributions to country music.

I was going to begin a NEW series next week featuring steel guitarists that are
sort of “off the radar” of mainstream.
I use my website to feature the local talent and the independent bands..I’m not trying
to analyze what corporate radio is doing or where is Country Music on radio?
I have KNOWLEDGE and FACTS and I want to feature people who gave their lives
to the proliferation of Country Music.

He was born on April 10th 1939 in Jayton Texas and from a very early age
he loved music.
His older brother began playing the steel guitar and was called to serve
in the military and in his absence Weldon began playing it.
His first band was Henley Diggs and The Double Mountain Boys and they had
a short radio show on Saturdays.

His first Nashville trip was in the 1950’s and he moved to Big Springs Texas
in the late 50’s.
He was brought to Nashville by legendary producer Ken Nelson along with
the Ben Hall Trio.

He started going to the Opry to see if anyone would let him play.
Now, back then the Opry had an open door policy.
And soon after Whispering Bill Anderson allowed Weldon to play.
And thusly it lead to him playing with a young girl Bill found
named Connie Smith.
Bob Ferguson was another legendary producer that loved Weldon’s playing
on “Once A Day” which Anderson wrote.
The calls started flooding in and he left the road to pursue session work
and asked Hal Rugg who was the only permanent player on the Opry if he could
also play in the house band.
Ott Devine who was the Opry manager back then happily accepted Weldon.
And Weldon Myrick played on the Opry for over 34 years.
On February of 1998 Weldon played his last Opry show and retired.

I am going to include this list of artists I have connected Weldon Myrick to.
I found some of it on his webpage and some I found on vinyls.

Acuff, Roy
Allen, Deborah
Allen, Jr., Rex
Ambrose, Steve
Anderson, Bill
Anderson, Eric
Anderson, John
Anderson, Lynn
Anderson, Sharon
Anthony, Ray
Area Code 615
Atkins, Chet
Baez, Joan
Bagwell, Wendy
& The Sunliters
Ball, Ace
Bandana
Bandy, Moe
Barber, Glenn
Bare, Bobby
Barlow, Jack
Begley, Philamena
Benny Hall Trio
Berry, Wayne
Bond, Johnny
Booth, Larry
Bowling, Roger
Boxcar Willie
Brewer & Shipley
Brody, Lane
Brown, Jann
Brown, Jim Ed
Brown, T. Graham
Browne, Beth
Burns, George
Bush, Johnny
Butler, Larry
Butts, Tom
Byrd, Tracy
Cale, J.J.
Campbell, Glen
Cannon, Buddy
Carpenters
Cartwright, Lionel
Cash, Johnny
Cato, Connie
Charles, Ray
Chase, Carol
Clark, Dana
Clark, Michael
Clark, Roy
Clark, Royce
Cline, Patsy & Reeves, Jim
Coe, David Allen
Colter, Jessi
Conley, John
Cooledge, Rita
Cooper, Eddie
Cooper, Wilma Lee & Stoney
Cornelius, Helen
Cotton, Gene
Cox Family
Cramer, Floyd
Cross, Mike
Cunha, Rick
Curless, Dick
Dalton, Lacy J.
Darnell, Bozo
Davidson, Diane
Davies, Dave
Davies, Gail
Davis, Danny/N’ville Brass
Davis, Jimmy
Davis, Skeeter
Dempsey, Jimmy Little
DeWitt, Lew
Dickens, Jimmy
Dillon, Dean
Dotsy
Drumm, Don
Drusky, Roy
Dukes, Debbie
Duncan, Johnny
Ellis, Darryl & Don
England, Ty
Everly Bros.
Fairchild, Barbara
Fairweather Low, Andy
Fargo, Donna
Felts, Narvel
Fender, Freddy
Flores, Rosie
Florida Boys
Fogelberg, Dan
Four Guys
Fricke, Janie
Frizzell, Lefty
Fulks, Robby
Garfunkel, Andy
Gatlin Bros.
Gayle, Crystal
Geezinslaw Brothers
Gibson, Don
Gilley, Mickey
Goldsboro, Bobby
Gosden, Vern
Gracie, John
Gray, Dobie
Greenwood, Lee
Griffith, Hope
Griggs, Sir Robert C.
Haggard/Jones (Duet)
Hall, Tom T.
Hamilton IV, George
Hanlon, Jerry
Happy Goodmans
Hardin, Arlene
Hardin Trio
Hardwick, Jr., Billy
Havens, Richie
Hazelwood, Lee
Helms, Bobby
Hemphills
Henderson, Florence
Higher Ground
Hobbs, Becky
Holmes, Jake
Houston, David
Howard, Jan
Hud, Lorence
Huskey, Ferlin
Ian & Sylvia
Ishida, Miya
Jackson, Alan
Jackson, Wanda
James Gang
Jans, Tom
Jennings, Waylon
Jim & Jesse (McReynolds)
Jones, George
Jones, Grandpa
G. Jones/Ricky Van Shelton
G. Jones/Sweethearts of The Rodeo
Jordanaires
Kendalls
Kent, Jim
Kershaw, Doug
Kershaw, Rusty
Kershaw, Sammy
King, Don
Kirkland, Ray
Kristofferson, Kris
LaCosta
Lane, Christy
Lavada
Laws, Billy
LeDoux, Chris
Lee, Brenda
Lee, Dicky
LeGarde Twins
Lewis, Jerry Lee
Linde, Dennis
Lindsey, George
Little, Peggy
Locklin, Hank
Loggins, Dave
London, Eddie
Lost Gonzo Band
Louvin, Charlie
Loveless, Patty
Lowes
Luman, Bob
Lynn, Judy
Lynn, Loretta
Lynn, Shelby
Mandrell, Erlene
Mandrell, Louise
McClinton, Delbert
McClinton, O.B.
McCoy, Charlie
McCoy, Neal
McDaniel, Mel
McDowell, Ronnie
McEntire, Reba
Measel, Eric
Mejake, Shinji
Miller, Jody
Milsap, Ronnie
Moffatt, Hugh
Montgomery, Melba
Moore, Johnny
Morgan, Lorrie
Morgan, Ron
Morris, Gary
Murrell, Diana
Nagatani, Charlie
Nagatomi, Mari
Nash, Roger
Nelson, Willie
Nesmith, Michael
Newbury, Mickey
Newton, Wayne
Newton-John, Olivia
Noakes, Rab
Oak Ridge Boys
Ogino, Nobuhiko
Orbison, Roy
Osborne Bros.
Overstreet, Tommy
Oxford, Vernon
Ozark Mt. Daredevils
Parker, Fess
Parton, Dolly
Parton, Stella
Paycheck, Johnny
Perez, Jay
Perkins, Carl
Pierce, Debbie
Pierce, Webb
Pillow, Ray
Plowman, Linda
Pointer Sisters
Presley, Elvis
Price, Kenny
Pride, Charley
Pruett, Jeannie
Rambo, Dottie
Randolf, Boots
Rapp, Tom
Rausch, Leon
Ray, Collin
Raye, Jenna
Rea, David
Reed, Jerry
Reese, John
Reeves, Jim/Patsy Cline
Reno, Jack
Rich Mountain Tower
Rich, Charlie
Riders in the Sky
Riley, Jeannie C.
Ritter, Tex
Rix, Dawn
Robbins, (Pig) Hargus
Robbins, Marty
Roberts, Louie
Roberts, Smokey
Robey,Falk & Bod- Rodeo
Rodriquez, Johnny
Rogers, Robert
Rogers, Weldon
Ronstadt, Linda
Russell, Johnny
Russell, Leon
Ruzicka, Bob
Ryan, Jamie
Saloom-Sinclair
Sargent, Bill
Schaffer, Whitey
Sea, Johnny
Seals, Dan
Sexton, Mark
Shaver, Billy Joe
Shea, George Beverly
Shelton, Ricky Van
Shepard, Jean
Sheppard, T. G.
Shine, John
Siebel, Paul
Singing Rambos
Skaggs, Ricky
Smith-Perkins-Smith
Smith, Cal
Smith, Carl
Smith, Connie
Smith, Sammi
Snow, Hank
Sovine, Red
Spears, Billy Jo
Stampley, Joe
Statler Bros.
Steagall, Red
Stevens, Cat
Stevens, Ray
Stewart, Gary
Stewart, Wynn
Stonestreet, Danny
Strait, George
Street, Mel
Surels, Curley
Tabuchi, Shoji
Taylor, Carla
Taylor, Kate
Thomas, B. J.
Thompson, Hank
Thrasher Bros.
Tillis, Mel
Tillis, Pam
Tippin, Aaron
Todd, Eric
Tornquist, Evie
Tucker, Tanya
Twist, Ronnie Lee
Tyner, Harrison
Vernon, Kenny
Vincent, Rhonda
Vinton, Bobby
Waddell, Roy
Wagoner, Porter
Walker, Billy
Walker, Charlie
Walker, Jerry Jeff
Wallace, Jerry
Wariner, Steve
Watson, Gene
Weakley, Harold
Weller, Freddy
Wells, Kitty
West, Dottie
Wheeler, Onie
Whitaker, Dan
White, Joy Lynn
Whites, The
Whitley, Keith
Whitman, Slim
Wilburn Bros.
Wildweeds
Williams, Audrey
Williams, Jr., Hank
Williams, Leona
Williams, Mentor
Wright, Chely
Wynette, Tammy
Yasuda, Mac
Yearwood, Trisha
Yokum, Dwight
Young, Faron
Young, Steve
Younger, James & Michael