Del McCoury Celebrates Two Decades of Grand Ole Opry Membership with Tyler Childers, Sam Bush, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and More

Photo Credit: Chris Hollo

On Saturday, Nov. 18, The Grand Ole Opry celebrated Opry member and beloved bluegrass music legend Del McCoury with a special Grand Del Opry 2 event in recognition of the musician’s two decades as an Opry membership. The night features performances from Del McCoury and friends, including Bill Anderson, Sam Bush, Tyler Childers, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Jeannie Seely, Ricky Skaggs and The Travelin’ McCourys. 

Following the opening number, Del McCoury Band took the stage and commenced the live show with their own “I Feel The Blues Moving In” and “All Aboard.” In time, a friend of the honorary, Bill Anderson, made his way to the stage. During his three-song slot, the singer-songwriter landed on “Peel Me A Nanner,” “Give It Away,” and “Golden Guitar.” 

Seely took the stage next, clocking in at three tunes, before swapping spots with Skaggs, who performed three classics, including “Uncle Pen,” “Lonesome Night,” and “Rawhide.” Travelin’ McCourys appeared for “The Shaker” and an ensuing run-through of “Percheron Mules,” a song written by Childers, who was included in Saturday’s play of the Rustin’ in the Rain track. 

Bush added a trio of tunes to the mix before Preservation Hall Jazz Band turned up for “Come With Me,” followed by a collaborative take on “One Has My Name” with Del McCoury Band. The sit-in continued with “I’ll Fly Away.” “I’m Blue and Lonesome” was another joint affair, with Skaggs joining the Del McCoury Band. The aforementioned group of musicians invited Childers on the Hank Williams tune “Old Country Church” and remained on stage for “Roll On Buddy,” adding Bush as a player during the Monroe classic. 

Notably, the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame member was inducted into the Opry family on Oct. 25, 2003. The Opry celebrated McCoury in February 2019 on his 80th birthday with the first “Grand Del Opry.” Portions of the “Grand Del Opry 2” show will air as a Saturday night “Opry Live” in 2024.

Scroll down to view Saturday night’s setlist. 

Grand Del Opry 2

Grand Ole Opry – Nashville, Tenn. 

November 18, 2023

Set: 52 Vincents, I Feel The Blues Movin’ In, All Aboard, Peel Me A Nanner, Give It Away, Golden Guitar, Rockabye Boogie, I Wonder Where You Are Tonight, Heart Over Mind, Uncle Pen, Lonesome Night, Rawhide, RunawayTrain, The Shaker, Percheron Mules, I’m Still Here, Circles Around Me, Radio John, Come With Me, One Has My Name, I’ll Fly Away, I’m Blue and Lonesome, Old Country Church, Roll On Buddy