Calling All 'Del Heads'

Del, besides yourself, which bluegrass guitar player plays your favorite "G run"?

Sent by Paul McCaskill | 2:11 PM ET | 10-18-2007

On Del's Myspace profile they have a photo of Del, Rob, and Ronnie along with Jerry Garcia and Bruce Hornsby. I was wonder how that all came about and where that took place

Sent by DEL-O-MITE! | 3:10 PM ET | 10-18-2007

that some mighty fine music, havent heard that good since i was visiting my great grandpa in kentucky, any idea where i can buy some of the songs you are playing on the radio today online?

Sent by neal arnett | 3:27 PM ET | 10-18-2007

HOw about Jug Band music in Bluegrass?

Sent by Milton | 3:30 PM ET | 10-18-2007

WNCW out of Spindale,NC plays bluegrass every Saturday 11am to 7pm. Can be streamed or downloaded.

Sent by Nancy Brooks | 3:42 PM ET | 10-18-2007

Enjoyed hearing your band at the Big Top Chautauqua in Bayfield, Wi. Please come back!

Sent by Heidi Haas | 3:47 PM ET | 10-18-2007

My little bro is a harmonica player in several bluegrass bands up in Juneau (and surrounding towns) Alaska. He turned me onto bluegrass years ago. And Del and the Boys are one of the best groups around. I sure wish more folks would sign on to the bluegrass music.

Sent by Sheri | 3:48 PM ET | 10-18-2007

please play "pig in a pen" for my daughter

Sent by Lorma | 3:53 PM ET | 10-18-2007

I witnessed a great late night jam with the two McCoury boys (Del had smartly gone to bed) , Larry Keel and Curtis Birch and a few guys from Blue Highway. Everyone played until they about fell over....always been a big fan. Thanks for the great playing!

Sent by Jim fron WV | 4:49 PM ET | 10-18-2007

I'm still grinning from ear to ear after watching their performance in 4A. And they even played one of my favorite songs of all time - Richard Thompson's "52 Vincent Black Lightning." What a treat!

Sent by andy carvin | 7:14 PM ET | 10-18-2007

i've been a del mccoury fan since the old gettysburg days and the family band is as good if not better than any of them!

Sent by pirate of swan beach | 8:45 PM ET | 10-18-2007

I'm Drew French, living in Voluntown, Ct. by way of Manchester, Tennessee. It was such a privilege to see you guys play at Bonnaroo, along with my longtime favorite Doc Watson. I never really thought anything cultural would ever come to my farmtown in Tennessee but I guess farmland and lots of hotel rooms makes for great festivals. Anyway, I can still remember the first time I heard you guys play years ago on Public Radio in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, WNCW. And it
really turned me on to bluegrass, and folk. I just wanted to say thank you for not selling out and watering down your beautiful music. Hopefully we will see you up here in Connecticut sometime soon! You guys be safe.

Sent by Drew French | 10:11 PM ET | 10-18-2007

That is just remarkable. I am glad that I am slowly getting a hang of the old mandolin. When I see something so well loved, I just have to dive in.

Sent by Tripp | 11:40 PM ET | 10-18-2007

I hope Del has re-recorded "Dreams" while doing the live record. I always request that song and Del says it's the first song he ever wrote, from back in the late 1960's.

I've seen them many, many times and never miss a chance to watch their show when they're close by my home.

Keep mashing it Del!

Sent by Mike Ramsey | 11:29 AM ET | 10-19-2007

I have listened to "1952" about 20 times since yesetrday PM. just great. You all are the best....

Sent by az | 11:52 AM ET | 10-19-2007

Hey David-- It is great to see your name on the NPR website. But there's a conspiracy afoot somehow, because this Del video (with your name attached!) came to me via one of my grad students, who happens to like this kind of thing. Go figure. Nice work getting this up where it belongs, in front of a bigger public. all the best from Auburn

Sent by Jim Ryan | 2:37 PM ET | 10-19-2007

Thanks NPR for broadcasting this great instrumental. Thanks for allowing WAMU and blugrasscountry.org to re-broadcast this program...I may have missed it.

Sent by William Redman | 3:35 PM ET | 10-19-2007

btw, if anyone would like to hear the original version of "1952 Vincent Black Lightning," there's a nice video of Richard Thompson performing it on YouTube.

Sent by andy carvin | 3:47 PM ET | 10-19-2007

I must say this takes me back to my childhood when we listened to the Grand Ole Opry every Saturday night. I love the Vincent. And I loved the fact that they encouraged the kid who called and played over the speaker phone. They are real people who want to see real Bluegrass live on!

Sent by Susan Hedges | 3:47 PM ET | 10-19-2007

listen to this

Sent by susan | 3:55 PM ET | 10-19-2007

Del and the band, going back to the Dixie Pals have always been my favorite since my first Del performance in Bath, PA in 1972. We are all blessed by the McCoury family's music and kindness. It's great to hear them in this candid living room type atmosphere. I shared the stage as well as the love of bluegrass with Del and the boys from PA, to Texas and now I'm in Florida. Come on down y'all, you are the best.

Sent by Don Hayes | 11:16 PM ET | 10-19-2007

I think what appeals to people is the monastic devotion the players have to the " sound ".You can perhaps hear the same kind of fervor in gospel singing or Nashville pickin', but people can't help responding the high lonesome sound. It's real emotional resonance, authentic feeling, and dedication to an ideal. It sounds like a Carolina sky looks. It creates and then sooths an ache in your chest.Brilliant.

Sent by Paul Londraville | 11:46 AM ET | 10-20-2007

Sheer pleasure, the relaxed rapport among the musicians which induced even normally straight-laced host Neal Conant to let his hair down out of pure admiration for the band, its music and its sunny humor. Thank you from this very pleased listener.

Sent by Roger - - Sebastopol, California | 12:42 AM ET | 10-21-2007

Asked a friend and mandolin player if he'd heard this incredible English ballad/folk song by Richard Thompson. No, no, says he, it's a bluegrass song by Del & the Boys. Danged if he wasn't right.

Sent by Bill, in Austin | 12:10 PM ET | 10-21-2007

Thank you, thank you, thank you. This band is what "blue grass" music is all about. pleasure, talent and tight musicianship.

Sent by Tracy Desmond | 4:46 PM ET | 10-22-2007

Bluegrass music is real music. Love the video. Always been a fan of Del and the boys. It don`t get better than that

Sent by Randy | 9:07 AM ET | 10-23-2007

This is what bluegrass is all about. Ever since I saw Del and the band at the Grand Ole Opry a few years back, I've been a fan.

Sent by Richard | 1:02 PM ET | 10-23-2007

Been a Del Head for about 5 years now. Wish I would have gotten into them sooner. Love the music. And I love the bluegrass "family" tradition. If only all sons and fathers could play such great music together.

Sent by Larry | 5:16 PM ET | 10-23-2007

That's funny! I go by "trippin" and I play mandolin too! That, and guitar, and even a little fiddle. I love they way they do this tune!

Sent by trippin | 6:22 PM ET | 10-23-2007

VERY, nice!!! What year is the martin and the gibson mando? Great solos!

Sent by Pat | 11:14 AM ET | 10-24-2007

I just remembered to watch the video. Enjoyed it just as much as the original show. Thanks so much for bringing such a talented group to the show, a very nice change from all the "war" talk. I've loved the Del McCoury Band since hearing them on Wyoming Public Radio Ranch Breakfast show and seeing them at the TargheeFest.

Sent by Debbie | 2:45 PM ET | 10-24-2007

Ronnie plays a Gibson F5 (Lloyd Loar), and Del plays a 1954 D-28, which his wife bought for him.

Sent by David Gura | 3:14 PM ET | 10-24-2007

This was a great show. Neal Conan had the best seat too!!!

Sent by jm fay | 12:51 PM ET | 10-27-2007

I first saw/heard the Del McCoury Band at a festival in Chattanooga October 5, and was blown away when I heard them on TOTN not long after that!

"Del and the Boys" is one of the greatest albums I've ever heard.

Sent by Chris, NE Ohio | 2:26 PM ET | 11-16-2007

You men, this musical tradition, are a bonafide national treasure.
Thanks

Sent by BJK | 7:26 PM ET | 12-14-2007