Ronnie McCoury
Best known for
Mandolin
Lead Vocals
Ronnie McCoury is the mandolinist and tenor vocalist of the Del McCoury Band — an eight-time IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year whose playing and singing have anchored his father's band for over four decades. As leader of the Travelin' McCourys (with brother Rob on banjo) and a member of the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, he is one of the most respected mandolinists of his generation and a central figure in modern traditional bluegrass.
- Born in York, Pennsylvania. Son of Del McCoury; older brother of banjoist Rob McCoury. Grew up hearing his father's Dixie Pals rehearse and perform — shaped by the tradition from birth.
- Started mandolin at age 11 under Del's guidance. Made his professional debut with his father's Dixie Pals at 14.
- Joined the Del McCoury Band full-time when Del officially renamed the group from the Dixie Pals in 1988, with both Ronnie and younger brother Rob as full members.
- Del McCoury Band won IBMA Entertainer of the Year nine times (1994–2003, skipping 2002). Ronnie's mandolin playing and tenor harmony vocals are central to the band's signature sound.
- Eight-time IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) — a streak broken only when the award went to Chris Thile and Sam Bush.
- Founded the Travelin' McCourys with brother Rob in the mid-2000s as a spin-off band that plays a mix of traditional bluegrass, jam-band material, and improvisational acoustic music. Lineup: Ronnie McCoury (mandolin), Rob McCoury (banjo), Jason Carter (fiddle), Alan Bartram (bass), Cody Kilby (guitar).
- Travelin' McCourys won the 2018 Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album for their self-titled debut.
- Core member of the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience — David Grisman's traditional-bluegrass-focused side group — recording and touring with Grisman periodically since the early 2000s.
- Released a duet album with brother Rob as the McCoury Brothers, and a solo album Heartbreak Town (2000).
- Extensive session credits include Steve Earle's The Mountain (1999), Phish collaborations, various Merlefest tribute recordings, and numerous IBMA Recorded Event of the Year nominees.
- Long-running collaborations with jam-band and Americana artists including String Cheese Incident, Phish, Steve Earle, and Keller Williams — helping bring bluegrass to rock audiences.
- Produces much of the Del McCoury Band's and Travelin' McCourys' work. Also runs the McCoury Music label with brother Rob and father Del.
- Helped establish DelFest in Cumberland, Maryland (founded 2008) alongside his father and brother. Serves as a co-organizer and central performer at the festival each May.
- Continues to tour with both the Del McCoury Band and the Travelin' McCourys, maintaining one of the busiest bluegrass performing schedules of any mandolinist in the genre.
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I'll Fly AwayThe Del McCoury Band · American Legacies: The Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Del McCoury Band (2011)
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Squirrel HuntersJohn Hartford · John Hartford Fiddles Wild Hog In The Red Brush (And A Bunch Of Others You Might Not Have Heard) (1996)
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The Del McCoury BandPlayed on recordings with The Del McCoury Band
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Billy StringsPlayed on recordings with Billy Strings
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Audie Blaylock and RedlinePlayed on recordings with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Del McCoury and David GrismanPlayed on recordings with Del McCoury and David Grisman
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Jack CookePlayed on recordings with Jack Cooke
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David GrismanPlayed on recordings with David Grisman
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Del McCoury and the Dixie PalsPlayed on recordings with Del McCoury and the Dixie Pals
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The Lynn Morris BandPlayed on recordings with The Lynn Morris Band
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John HartfordPlayed on recordings with John Hartford
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Steve Earle and the Del McCoury BandPlayed on recordings with Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band
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Alecia NugentPlayed on recording with Alecia Nugent
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Bobby HicksPlayed on recording with Bobby Hicks
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David ParmleyPlayed on recording with David Parmley
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Jason CarterPlayed on recording with Jason Carter
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Keller Williams with the Travelin' McCourysPlayed on recording with Keller Williams with the Travelin' McCourys
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Mac Wiseman, Doc Watson and Del McCouryPlayed on recording with Mac Wiseman, Doc Watson and Del McCoury
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Matt CombsPlayed on recording with Matt Combs
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Patty LovelessPlayed on recording with Patty Loveless
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Robbie FulksPlayed on recording with Robbie Fulks
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Ronnie McCouryPlayed on recording with Ronnie McCoury
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The ChieftainsPlayed on recording with The Chieftains
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The Crowe BrothersPlayed on recording with The Crowe Brothers
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The Gibson BrothersPlayed on recording with The Gibson Brothers
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The Price SistersPlayed on recording with The Price Sisters
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Tim and Mollie O'BrienPlayed on recording with Tim and Mollie O'Brien