ROB MCCOURY

Rob was born April 30, 1971 in York, PA as Robin Floyd McCoury. His earliest memories are of music, especially since it waseverywhere around the house. There were picking parties, rehearsals and festivals. Rob went to his first bluegrass festival at Ontalanee Park in Allentown, PA when he was six weeks old.

Rob “caught the pickin’ bug” when he was just eight years old, after seeing the Osborne Brothers at Sunset Park in West Grove, PA. He then realized how fortunate he was to have a great teacher in the house. Although he feels at times he was trying on his Dad’s patience he remembers that his dad would always take the time to show him the right way to pick, never forcing the music on him. Rob recalls “picking first thing in the morning and the last thing I did at night”, and it was what he wanted to do.

In June of 1986 Del had a festival to play in Bath, NY and he needed a bass player. At that time Rob knew almost nothing about playing a bass fiddle. He knew the chords on the bass but had never played before in a band situation. Although he was scared to death he played bass with his Dad that day and ended up being the bass player in the band for about a year, until the banjo position became available.

Rob’s first show as a banjo player was a benefit show for Olla Belle Reed, a great singer/songwriter who penned one of Del’s most requested songs, “High on the Mountain”, along with many others. The show was in the spring of 1987 in Wilmington, DE and he has been with the band ever since.

In May of 1992 the McCoury family moved to Nashville, TN. Rob is convinced the move was the best one they could have made. He is very appreciative of his life and the experiences he has had. In his own words, “It’s been a wonderful adventure that keeps getting better and better. I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like without music. I have gotten to see many parts of the world and meet lots of great people. I’ve made many great friends, but most of all I met my best friend, my wife Lisa, who supports me every step of the way.”

Rob is presently working with his Dad as well as the Travelin’ McCoury’s featuring his fellow band mates Ronnie McCoury, Jason Carter, and Alan Bartram.

Rob also has two children, a daughter Monroe Kennedy McCoury age 6, and a son and Grandpa’s namesake, Del Mercer Davis McCoury age 2.

Bio source: “Rob McCoury.” The Del McCoury Band. Accessed October 23, 2015.