The Del McCoury Band Returns to The Barns
January 5, 2026
You’ll be hard pressed to find a bluegrass enthusiast who doesn’t know the name Del McCoury. After all, he’s a nine-time winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award and a two-time Grammy winner for Best Bluegrass Album—not to mention a frequent Wolf Trap performer. He’ll bring his practiced pickin’ to The Barns for five nights this January!
Beyond the accolades, there’s a whole lot more to Del McCoury. Here are some facts you might not know about him and his band and a preview of each night's unique theme!
From Humble Beginnings to Bluegrass Greatness
Del McCoury knows what it’s like to earn a “Working Man’s Wage”—also a song from his album Almost Proud (2022).
McCoury was raised on a farm and one of his first jobs was driving a dump truck. After spending a year with Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys as lead singer and guitarist, McCoury moved back to his hometown of York, PA with his wife. While raising a family, he worked various day jobs, including at a sawmill, logging company, and nuclear power plant.
He’d get his music fix by playing weekend gigs around Pennsylvania; Washington, DC; and Baltimore, MD. His big break wouldn’t come until 1992 when his family and band moved to Nashville.
Hear some of the tunes that shaped his early career on January 21st's "Classic Bluegrass" show.
It's a Family Affair
For a band that’s been around for 55+ years, the membership has remained remarkably steady. McCoury started the band with his brother Jerry on bass. McCoury’s two sons Ronnie and Rob joined the band in the ’80s as mandolinist and banjoist, and they found their long-term bassist, Alan Bartram, in 2005.
After 33 years by McCoury's side, fiddler Jason Carter stepped aside in early 2025 to pursue his solo career. Not long after, the band welcomed in young blood Christian Ward to complete the line-up, who already cut his teeth fiddling beside artists like Sierra Hull and Billy Strings.
See both Carter and Ward in action during the specially themed "Twin Fiddles" night on January 18 or feel the family familiarity in full-force on January 20th's "Family Album" night.
Bonus fact: Inspired by raising his own family, Ronnie recorded a bluegrass album for kids, Little Mo’ McCoury, in 2007.
Numerous Performances with Wolf Trap Artists
Both Del McCoury and Wolf Trap keep their fingers on the pulse of bluegrass. Take a look at past line-ups of DelFest—the band’s annual bluegrass festival in Cumberland, MD—and Wolf Trap’s former bluegrass and Americana artists, and you’ll find over a dozen connections.
Some recent Wolf Trap artists they have performed alongside include Gov’t Mule, Béla Fleck, Aoife O’Donovan, Chris Thile and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, and The Avett Brothers. They’ve also shared stages with some of The Barns’ artists, including Steep Canyon Rangers, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Sam Bush.
Want a winter-time version of DelFest? Join us for "Crowd Favorites" night on January 16, where McCoury harnesses the spirit of DelFest with plenty of fan favorite songs and special guests.
The Del McCoury Band Has Appeared at Wolf Trap Over a Dozen Times!
In 1993, The Del McCoury Band made their Wolf Trap debut, performing at the Filene Center as part of Ricky Skaggs’ Pickin’ Party. Since then, they would play the Filene Center twice more in An Evening with the Grand Ole Opry (2005) and with the Vince Gill Friends & Family Tour (2007). The band has also performed at The Barns an impressive number of times over the years, with their first Barns show in 1996.
To get the most of McCoury's mastery, don't miss "Original Music" night on January 17 featuring songs all written by the man himself!
Don’t miss your chance to see five nights of unique sets by The Del McCoury Band—including open floor general admission shows on the weekend—when they return to The Barns on January 16-21!
