Bluegrass Royalty Bring Hootenanny to Abbey Pub
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 9, 2011 8:00PM
Bluegrass legend Del McCoury and his crack band of master musicians — including sons Ronnie on mandolin and Rob on banjo — have been spreading the word and keeping the faith for years. But where Del mines a more traditional vein, the rest of the band, billing themselves as the Travelin' McCourys, are open to jam with anybody. And anyone who' attended a bluegrass convention knows that the most exciting moments are when featured bands gather for an impromptu picking.
Recently the McCourys' wanderlust brought them to Warren Haynes' annual Christmas Jam, where their jam session with Lee Boys reportedly brought the house down and resulting in an EP. It's the kind of collaboration you wouldn't see them doing with Del at the helm (although Del himself has recorded in the past with Bootsy Collins).
The Travelin' McCourys are bringing that jam session, hootenanny style show to the Abbey Pub tomorrow and Friday for what they're billing as a "Bluegrass Ball." They'll be joined by Yonder Mountain String Band's Jeff Austin, Drew Emmitt of the Emmitt-Nershi Band; Colorado-based bluegrass outfit Head for the Hills and local acts Tangleweed and Jaik Willis.
The Travelin' McCourys' "Bluegrass Ball" at the Abbey Pub, tomorrow and Friday at the Abbey Pub. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.. $25 advance tickets available here. Otherwise, it's $30 at the door.