Ronnie McCoury


Ronald Delano McCoury, known as Ronnie McCoury, is an American mandolin player, singer, and songwriter. He is the son of bluegrass musician Del McCoury, and is best known for his work with the Del McCoury Band
and the Travelin' McCourys.

Biography

Ronnie McCoury was born in York County, Pennsylvania on March 16, 1967.
He was exposed to bluegrass from a young age, as his father had his own band, Del McCoury & The Dixie Pals. Ronnie lists his musical influences as Bill Monroe, David Grisman, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Alan O'Bryant, and The Osborne Brothers.
At the age of 9 he started taking violin lessons. He took lessons for two years before giving the violin up for sports.
When he was 13, after seeing Bill Monroe perform, he decided to try the mandolin. He practiced it for six months before his dad invited him to join the Del McCoury Band in 1981.
He has been named the International Bluegrass Music Association mandolin player of the year eight consecutive years from 1993-2000.
McCoury graduated from Susquehannock High School in 1985, and in 2009 he and his brother Rob both won the High School's Distinguished Alumni Award.

Recordings

In 1995 he and his brother Rob McCoury released a self-titled CD on Rounder Records.
In 1999, he teamed up with David Grisman to release "Mandolin Extravaganza" on the Acoustic Disc label. This CD was nominated for a Grammy Award and also won Instrumental Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year at the IBMA awards show in October 2000.
2000 also brought along with it McCoury's first solo project, Heartbreak Town. Along with members of the Del McCoury Band, the album is supported by appearances from Jerry Douglas, David Grisman, Bela Fleck, and Stuart Duncan.
He has also recorded with a number of artists including Garth Brooks, Jack Clement, Charley Pride, Crystal Gayle, Jeff Foxworthy, and Martina McBride,
As a producer he has co-produced most of father's albums since 1996. He has also co-produced The Bluegrass Extravaganza with David Grisman, and Steve Earle. Co-produced The Mountain (Steve Earle album) with Steve Earle.

Personal life

McCoury currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee. He is married to Allison Bliss, and has two sons and a daughter.

Discography

Solo recordings

  • 2000: ''Heartbreak Town''

With Rob McCoury

  • 1995: ''Ronnie & Rob McCoury''

With The [Del McCoury Band]

As primary contributor

  • 1995: Various Artists: A Picture Of Hank: The New Bluegrass Way - track 10, " Lonesome Whistle"
  • 2011: Audie Blaylock and Redline - ''I'm Going Back to Old Kentucky: A Bill Monroe Celebration''

As guest musician