New album Almost Proud due out on February 18th;
Hear “Honky Tonk Nights” now via The Bluegrass Situation
Over the course of the pandemic, McCoury found himself as fully engaged and absorbed by music as he was when he was a teenager, throwing himself into listening to as much music as he could. According to Del, he listened to well over 200 songs, including some that had been in a neglected box in his music room for over 10 years. He listened intently. He listened for songs that excited him. He listened for songs that he would find interesting if he heard them on the radio. When asked about the song selection, Del says, “I’m as excited about listening to new music today as the day I started—finding a new tune or a story that tickles me. This album is the best of what I heard while the world was on pause.” With a strong idea of his favorites, the Del McCoury band entered the studio, mixing in some classics along the way—notably “Rainbow of My Dreams,” which McCoury first heard sung by a young Lester Flatt in the 1940s.
Almost Proud is packed with songs from a wide variety of writers—well known and obscure—and includes a few performances from old friends. Just like his live performances, McCoury started Almost Proud with his regular point of view: “If I’m not interested, how can I expect the audience to be?” This collection of songs kept 82-year-old McCoury engaged during the pandemic and it’s part of a body of work that ended up being nearly 30 songs—so it’s likely to see a volume 2 in the very near future. At the end of the day, Del may be almost proud of what he’s accomplished, but he’s always proud of the music he records. For more information, please visit delmccouryband.com.
In addition to this announcement, the Del McCoury Band is also back on the road to start the new year, including a three-night run at Park City, Utah’s Egyptian Theatre. A full list of announced dates is below and more information–including how to purchase tickets—can be found at delmccouryband.com/tour.
Catch Del McCoury Band On Tour:
Jan. 29 – Owings Mills, MD – Gordon Center For Performing Arts
Feb. 10 – Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre
Feb. 11 – Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre
Feb. 12 – Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre
Mar. 5 – Pelham, TN – The Caverns
Mar. 13 – Immokalee, FL – Southland Bluegrass & Wilderness Festival
Mar. 25 – Newberry, SC – Newberry Opera House
Mar. 26 – Brooksville, FL – Spring Bluegrass Festival 2022
Almost Proud Tracklist:
Almost Proud
Love Don’t Live Here Anymore
Rainbow of My Dream
My Little Darlin’
Running Wild
Brown Paper Bag
Honky Tonk Nights
Once Again
Sid Hatfield’s
The Misery You’ve Earned
Workin’ Man’s Wage
Other Shore