Rob McCoury | |
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McCoury at Delfest 2013 | |
Background information | |
Born | (1971-04-30) April 30, 1971 (age 53) York County, Pennsylvania |
Genres | Bluegrass music |
Instrument | Banjo |
Years active | 1986–present |
Labels | McCoury Music Rounder |
Rob McCoury is an American bluegrass musician who plays banjo. 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
Rob McCoury was born in York County, Pennsylvania on April 30, 1971.
He was exposed to bluegrass from a young age, through his father's band, Del McCoury & The Dixie Pals.
At the age of 8 he started playing the banjo after seeing The Osborne Brothers play at Sunest Park in West Grove, PA. In 1986 at the age of 15 he played bass with his Dad's band for the first time at a festival in Bath, NY. He would play as the bassist for his Dad's band for the next year and half when the banjo spot opened up and he made the switch to his preferred instrument. His first show as a banjo player was in the spring of 1987 in Wilmington, DE at a benefit show for Ola Belle Reed, a singer/songwriter who penned one of his Dad's most requested songs, “High on the Mountain”, along with many others. He has been with the band ever since.
McCoury graduated from Susquehannock High School in 1989, and in 2009 he and his brother Ronnie both won the High School's Distinguished Alumni Award.
He was named the 2015 International Bluegrass Music Association banjo player of the year in 2015.
Recordings
In 1995 Rob and his brother Ronnie released a self-titled CD on Rounder Records. The album won the 1996 International Bluegrass Music Awards for Recorded Performance of the Year.
Personal life
Rob currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife Lisa, and their three children.
Discography
Solo recordings
- 2014: The 5 String Flamethrower (Rounder)
With Ronnie McCoury
- 1995: Ronnie & Rob McCoury (Rounder)
References
- Cahill, Greg. "Rob McCoury Interview by Greg Cahill". Banjo Newsletter. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- BGS Staff. "Here is your full 2015 IBMA Award winners list". Bluegrass Situation. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- "IBMA Award Receipt History". ibma.org. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- "Rob McCoury The 5 String Flamethrower". Allmusic. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- "Ronnie McCoury / Rob McCoury Ronnie & Rob McCoury". Allmusic. Retrieved 5 February 2018.