Across The Blue Ridge #16 - Cultural Crossroads: David Grisman & Del McCoury On Tour

Mandolinist and tunesmith David Grisman has established broad appeal among acoustic music lovers with his deft combination of Django Reinhardt-inspired jazz, Grateful Dead-infused rock, bluegrass and old-time music. You'll see everyone from teenagers to octogenarians at one of his concerts. Del McCoury likewise has broadened the appeal of traditional bluegrass music far beyond its core audience. His soaring, clear vocals, solid guitar playing and eminent good humor onstage spread joy everywhere he performs. He's the real thing, having worked decades in construction and logging as he raised his family and made his way to the top echelon of American traditional music. He's won countless awards and makes regular appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. What many people don't know is that Grisman and McCoury first met at a New York City concert in 1963, where McCoury was playing in Bill Monroe's band – and that they've been doing occasional tours since the mid 1960s, minus their celebrated bands. On this edition of Across the Blue Ridge, host Paul Brown talks with Grisman and McCoury after a duo performance in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We hear plenty of music from their “Del & Dawg” disc of live stage recordings, and find out how and why this combination works as well as it does. Also this week: recordings from one of the first fiddlers' conventions of the 2016 season, and rare old fiddle tunes from albums issued by Field Recorders' Collective.

Playlist

1. On The Move – Jason Carter
   On The Move
   Rounder Records 1997
    
2. I'll Pretend It's Raining – Del McCoury
   High Lonesome & Blue
   Rounder Records 1996
    
3. Gotta Travel On – Del McCoury & David Grisman
   Del & Dog Live
   Acoustic Disc 2016
    
4. Country Boy Rock & Roll -- Del McCoury & David Grisman
   Del & Dog Live
   Acoustic Disc 2016
    
5. Del McCoury & David Grisman interview
   Across the Blue Ridge field recording
    
6. G-Run Blues – Del McCoury & David Grisman
   Del & Dog Live
   Acoustic Disc 2016
    
7. BREAK 1  G-Run Blues – Del McCoury & David Grisman
   Del & Dog Live
   Acoustic Disc 2016
    
8. Tennessee Waltz – Del McCoury & David Grisman
   Del & Dog Live
   Acoustic Disc 2016
    
9. Lonnie & Nathan Atkinson, Andy Tennille interview
   Across the Blue Ridge field recording
    
10. I Know What It Means To Be Lonesome – Del McCoury & David Grisman
    Del & Dog Live
    Acoustic Disc 2016
     
11. Ducks In The Millpond – Richard Bowman & friends
    Across the Blue Ridge field recording
     
12. Arkansas Traveler – Seth Boyd
    Field recording by Carol McDuffie
     
13. Tennessee Wagoner – Billy Hurt, Jr
    Field recording by Carol McDuffie
     
14. Earl's Breakdown – Joe Mullins
    Foggy Mountain Special
    Rounder Records 2012
     
15. BREAK 2 – Foggy Mountain Rock – Tom Adams
    Foggy Mountain Special
    Rounder Records 2012
     
16. Uncle Charlie's Revenge – Craver, Hicks, Watson & Newberry
    You've Been A Friend To Me
    Barker Records 2012
     
17. Paddy On The Turnpike  -- Esker Hutchins
    Esker Hutchins
    Field Recorders Collective 2012
     
18. Bullhead Rag – Lawn Brooks
    Old Time Fiddle Music of Alleghany County, NC
    Field Recorders Collective 2015
     
19. Pretty Cuckoo Bird – Kilby Reeves
    Old Time Fiddle Music of Alleghany County, NC
    Field Recorders Collective 2015
     
20. Roving Gambler – Frank Bode
    Been Riding With Old Mosby
    Smithsonian Folkways 1986
     
21. Soldier's Joy – Doc Watson
    Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson at Folk City
    Smithsonian Folkways 1990