This one almost slipped off my radar and I would have missed it, and I am absolutely amazed that no other media site or spare time website reported on this one, because it is groundbreaking to a savant fan like me that is never satisfied with learning enough. I literally spend hundreds of hours a month listening to ANYTHING I CAN FIND about people like Steve Earle, from a musical standpoint. We are all human, and they say to never meet your heroes. Steve Earle to me is not someone I agree with politically (like pretty much the rest of them) but he is a HUGE musical influence to me.
I found it completely mind blowing when I watched that salute to him at the Hall Of Fame where he was interviewed by none other than Allison Moorer, his ex wife. Ahhh the beauty of that side of the business. I pretty much try my best not to dwell on that side of things that aren’t my business. I am just a fan with a website.
I mean I love all of this music and that is basically all I wanted to ever touch upon here, you know? I am not going to write some big ass thought piece on the demons betwixt him and Justin Townes or any of his previous issues, because I cannot even liken myself on that level of loss and hurt. I am a drug addict and an alcoholic with six years of sobriety, who am I to judge?
Look what he has contributed to XM radio and all of his stories about the gang of wandering druggies he hung out with that we all love so much. His albums are timeless and his presence on the Opry will be a welcomed addition I am sure.
Basically on July 30th 2026, the Travelin’ McCourys joined Steve Earle for his set at Pickathon to play some songs from their iconic album “The Mountain” from 1999. That festival is one of those I have added to my retirement list, because right now it is just not feasible with my health. Before he played “Copperhead Road” they played “Texas Eagle” “Yours Forever Blue” “Graveyard Shift” “Harlan Man” and “The Mountain”. This album came to me at a very volatile time in music when Country to me was quite stagnant and I clung to the underground things.
This collaboration drew forth that famous story of Del saying there “was no room in Bluegrass for profanity” to which Steve replied “Good, because there is no room in profanity for Bluegrass”. NOW that I DO AGREE WITH!
From Instagram: We are beyond excited to announce Steve Earle and The Travelin’ McCourys are coming together on the Paddock stage, Saturday, August 1 at 10PM for four songs from The Mountain, the landmark album they first made back in 1999.
It started as Earle’s tribute to bluegrass founder Bill Monroe, recorded with Del McCoury and his sons Ronnie and Rob and a room full of legends. One brilliant album, one tour, and then the collaboration was over. The songs never stopped mattering, but the players hadn’t shared them onstage since.
Until now. Ronnie and Rob McCoury, now leading The Travelin’ McCourys, step up beside Steve Earle for a moment that won’t come around twice.
Four songs. One night. Never again.
Pickathon Presents: A Once-in-a-Festival Collaboration
Steve Earle & The Travelin’ McCourys
Saturday, August 1 at 10PM, headliner Steve Earle takes the stage and is joined by The Travelin’ McCourys for a surprise collaboration. Together they’ll play four songs pulled straight from The Mountain, the album that reshaped what bluegrass could be.
If that gives you chills, it should. In 1999, Steve Earle made The Mountain with the Del McCoury Band as a tribute to Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass himself. It earned a Grammy nomination and a permanent place in the music’s history.
Now, a quarter-century later, the next generation picks up those same songs and carries them forward. The Travelin’ McCourys are Grammy winners in their own right. Father to sons. Then to now. A moment you can feel in your chest.
This isn’t on the printed schedule. It won’t happen again. It exists for exactly one reason: the people standing at the Paddock Stage.
We hope that’s you.
