DELFEST MOVING AHEAD IN CUMBERLAND, MD

(Nashville, TN)...A collective sigh of relief came from DelFest co-founders Roy Carter and Rebecca Sparks, of California based High Sierra Music, and festival namesake Del McCoury in Nashville, when co-founder Stan Strickland informed them that the Allegany County commissioners had issued a press release, bringing to close to a controversy that began six weeks ago when Allegany County Liquor Board chairman Gerald Delaney claimed in the Cumberland Times-News that DelFest and the High Sierra Foundation had violated laws regarding their liquor license. The controversy began when Mr. Delaney called local High Sierra Foundation board member Barb Buehl, in which he threatened the festival's reputation, it's ability to secure a beverage license in the future, and Buehl's employment contract with County Tourism, all in an effort to benefit his former employer, a local beer distributor. A threat he followed through with in the Cumberland Times on June 3rd.



As a very public dispute unfolded, a local coalition of nearly 1400, dubbing itself the "Pale Ale Army," rose up en masse and began flooding county and state offices with calls, faxes, and emails, demanding an investigation and immediate action. The first step taken by the Allegany County commissioners, after determining with the state that they did in fact have the authority to act in this matter-and with the strong encouragement of the Governor-was to ask for Chairman Delaney's resignation. The resignation was offered to Governor O'Malley on July 9th, and accepted immediately. The second, and hopefully final, step was a press release, drafted by the county attorney, on behalf of the County Commissioners, clearly stating for the record that no complaint had ever been filed, no investigation had ever been initiated, and the Liquor Board has no intention of pursuing this matter. This confirmed the position DelFest had been taking since June 3rd. The County's press release went on to say that they were confident that once the DelFest Foundation applied for the 2011 liquor license, it would be approved as well as pledged their support of community resources to meet the needs of the festival.



"I do think a lot of good came from this. Over a thousand people are now involved in local government and local charitable work and have seen the impact they can have," offered Del McCoury, a clear indication that he sees better days ahead. "We might have walked away if it had not been for the overwhelming show of support from the community. We realized that they had made this their fight and we took that into consideration every step of the way." DelFest's Foundation will be working hand in hand with the "Pale Ale Army" in August as they distribute more than $20,000 to local charities.



The DelFest founders, county officials, and local community leaders are all now in agreement on one thing-its time to move ahead. That's exactly how Del McCoury brought the July 15th phone conference to an end, "well folks, I guess we are headed back to Cumberland." The co-founders in California and Florida swear you could hear him smile.

McCoury 'confident' DelFest is back in 2011

Liquor board chairman resigned Friday


Kevin Spradlin

Cumberland Times-News
CUMBERLAND — In a message to supporters, bluegrass music extraordinaire Del McCoury thanked the more than 1,400 people who joined an online community and rallied against what is perceived as unfair and invalid allegations of law violations from the Allegany County liquor board.
"I feel confident that we'll be back next year" for a fourth consecutive Memorial Day weekend event, McCoury said to fans of a grassroots Facebook page that spurred people from across the country to write in defense of McCoury and his family.
"Hopefully, we'll be able to make it 'official' in the next few days," McCoury said.
McCoury said DelFest co-founder Stan Strickland has "a few loose ends to tie up with the county" before making the announcement official.
What put the future of one of the top tourism draws in Allegany County in jeopardy was a series of allegations by the liquor board and then chairman, Gerald Delaney, that cast doubt on actions carried out by the High Sierra Foundation of Allegany County The nonprofit organization received a temporary liquor license for the four-day festival at the Allegany County Fairgrounds each of the past three years. This year, Delaney - who resigned Friday amidst a growing furor of the unproven allegations - requested of Barbara Buehl, county tourism director and foundation member, to have more beer being poured from Western Maryland Distributing, a county distributor. Read more.

DelFest - Location of next year’s festival to be decided Thursday

Michael A. Sawyers

Cumberland Times-News
Deer Park — CUMBERLAND — A DelFest Foundation spokes-man said Tuesday that a decision will be made Thursday about the location of next year’s bluegrass music festival.
Reached on his cell phone as he traveled from Florida to California to meet with renowned musician Del McCoury, DelFest co-founder Stan Strickland said all it will take for the popular event to be back at the fairgrounds in 2011 is for the leaders of Allegany County to lead.
“If there is not a public statement about the county’s intention concerning Gerald Delaney by the end of this week then I will recommend that we look at other options,” Strickland said. Strickland said he seeks chairman Delaney’s removal from the county’s liquor board.
“If we come back next year, we need to know that the leadership in Allegany County has the ability to lead so we don’t have to be watching our backs all the time.
“We are going to give the proper authorities another couple days to realize what we need in the level of cooperation to do business in the county,” Strickland said.
Strickland said DelFest has had a lot of quiet support since being accused of violating liquor laws and it has come from various levels of government in Maryland.
“We have spoken with the governor and the attorney general,” he said.

Del McCoury's DelFest a Rousing Success for Music and Charity

by Nancy Dunham

Del McCoury has to be one of the most modest legends in bluegrass.

Although musicians in bands ranging from Railroad Earth, The Avett Brothers, Yonder Mountain String Band, Keller Williams &; Friends, Trampled by Turtles and Dave Rawlings Machine continually sang Del's praises during his four-day Memorial Day bluegrass festival in Cumberland, Maryland, the man of the hour stayed mainly in the background.

A former member of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys, Del has always felt that the bluegrass format should grow and expand to remain relevant. His band -- including sons Rob McCoury, who recently recorded with Willie Nelson, and Ronnie McCoury, who joined the other Travelin' McCoury's on tour with Dierks Bentley -- give play shops and join casual jams to foster new musicians interested in the genre. Plus DelFest benefits the financially beleaguered area where it is based. Yet what makes DelFest truly stand out is that it's all family-oriented.

"We have just a great line up," Del told The Boot while watching The John Cowan Band take the stage after Cornmeal finished their set. "I am enjoying all if it; I really am."

The approximately 20,000 fans from throughout the country that jammed DelFest apparently did, too, forming casual players' circles in the midst of the festival's campgrounds, continually calling out good-naturedly to the musicians on stage and dancing even during rain showers. Whether the bands played Bill Monroe's 'Bluegrass Breakdown,' the classic 'Nashville Cats,' or even more contemporary tunes such as Yonder Mountain's 'Another Day' or Willie Nelson's 'Blackjack County Chains,' the good mood never dipped.

"Are all of you having a good time this afternoon?" Del asked from the stage as screams and shouts erupted from the crowd made up primarily of those in their 20s and 30s. "That's all we want -- to have you enjoy all of the artists we have here." More here.

DelFest keeps on giving

May concerts a boon to area businesses; event foundation donates to several local charities

Kevin Spradlin
Cumberland Times-News
An aspen poplar tree’s leaves will tremble in even a hint of a breeze. The crowd at DelFest, however, will not shake.
Despite heavy thunderstorms during the Memorial Day weekend bluegrass extravaganza in 2009 that leveled campers’ tents, an estimated 20,000 people from 42 states made the best of it at the Allegany County Fairgrounds and enjoyed music by headliner Del McCoury and the Del McCoury band.
This year’s show begins May 27. Barb Buehl, tourism director for Allegany County, said the music festival is driven by a rare class of people that seeks to add to, and not take from, the local community.
“They’re not looking for what incentives they can get out of us,” she said.
In September, the DelFest Foundation distributed several thousand dollars to the Western Maryland Food Bank, the Salvation Army, Associated Charities and Allegany Health Right. The money came from revenue derived from concession sales at booths operated by volunteers and direct contributions from festivalgoers.
Buehl said local businesses, including restaurants, bars, hotels and gas stations, benefited from the event last year.
“They knew something big was in town,” Buehl said. More...

Delfest Academy news‏

DELFEST ANNOUNCES ACADEMY SCHEDULE FOR 2010;

TICKET LAY-A-WAY DEADLINE APPROACHING

(February 4, 2010) Nashville, TN….For the second consecutive year, Delfest 2010 will be preceded by a Bluegrass Academy featuring some of the most accomplished musicians on the planet. DELFEST ACADMEY 2010 will take place May 25-27, 2010 with the festival beginning on the 27th and ending on the 30th.

The 2010 DELFEST ACADEMY will consist of a friendly, encouraging, and intensive three-day learning experience with a group of some of the finest musicians in bluegrass: mandolinist Ronnie McCoury, banjo player Rob McCoury, fiddler Jason Carter, bassist Alan Bartram, the, and Ronnie Bowman on guitar.As members of the Del McCoury Band, Rob, Ronnie, Alan and Jason have won IBMA's Entertainer of the Year award nine times. Oxford American called them "The best Bluegrass band in the world. Period." Ronnie Bowman's bluegrass and songwriting credentials would fill up a notebook from his stint with the Lonesome River Band, leading his own band and writing two #1 country radio hits. With sterling credentials as celebrated performers, plus years of experience teaching at various workshops and festival academies such as Rockygrass and Wintergrass, these enormously gifted musicians will create an environment for learning unlike any other. A Meet & Greet for students, their guests, and instructors will kick off the academic week on Monday evening. Bluegrass Karaoke on Thursday afternoon where the students get to front the Del McCoury Band, as well as a special wrap party that night will conclude the academy. In intimate classes led by these world-class bluegrass professionals, students will receive instruction targeted to their individual needs, with plenty of opportunity for one-on-one interaction with their instructors. The overall direction of each class will ultimately be determined by the students’ goals and needs. Students may expect to learn how to lead jams and receive tips on practicing, technique, and accompaniment, and benefit from direct interaction with instructors who can help them achieve their musical objectives.

Also, for the first time this year, Delfest is offering a Lay-a-way option to purchase Academy and festival 3 and 4 day passes. Many of you have already taken advantage of this offer. If you have not, and would like to spread your payments out, please note that the lay-a-way option goes away after February 12th. DelFest 2010, set to kick off on May 27th offers a fantastic lineup for it’s third year, headlined by the Del McCoury Band (of course), The Avett Brothers, Yonder Mountain String Band, the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Railroad Earth and more. A celebration of the musical heritage of Del McCoury, DelFest is a family-friendly event and takes place at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD. Personally chosen by Del, this site is nestled along the Potomac River in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, and it is the perfect location for DelFest and the very first DELFEST ACADEMY! A very limited number of spots are available for the 2010 DELFEST ACADEMY—in fact the mandolin class is filling up fast. Ample tent and RV camping is available onsite; there’s plentiful lodging nearby. The area also offers many additional recreational options, including swimming, fishing, hiking, and biking. Please click here for pricing details and to order tickets. For all festival details, http://www.delfest.com/
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Robert Yonke to Provide Artwork for DelFest 2010

DelFest, the Del McCoury Music Festival, has commissioned Robert Yonke to provide artwork for its 2010 event, scheduled for May 27-30, 2010 at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, Maryland. The artwork will be the graphic foundation for a poster and other related items. Yonke has a history of providing artwork for the music industry. Past projects include providing commissioned art for the International Bluegrass Music Association, the Red White and Bluegrass Festival and private collections.The DelFest project is particularly special for him, as he has a home in neighboring Garrett County, Maryland.
Rebecca Sparks, of High Sierra Music, one of the producers of the event had this to say about Yonke, 'We are excited to be working with a local artists this year. Robert Yonke's work reflects a true appreciation for bluegrass and nature....a perfect combination for representing DelFest.' Delfest is presented by MD Mountainside in association with McCoury Music And High Sierra Music. The event includes four days of live music,workshops, arts and craft vendors, as well as a kids' area. The initial line-up for the 2010 event includes the Del McCoury Band, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Dailey & Vincent, the Avett Brothers and more.
Additional information on DelFest can be found at http://delfest.com/.
Yonke is a member of the Garrett County Arts Council, Participating Artists of the Turkeyfoot Highlands (PATH), the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society and the International Bluegrass Music Association. His work can be viewed at http://appalachianstudio.com/.

DelFest Line Up Announced

3rd Annual DelFest
May 27 – 30, 2010
Allegany County Fairgrounds, Cumberland, MD

Featuring:
The Del McCoury Band (three performances over the weekend)
Yonder Mountain String Band
The Avett Brothers
Keller Williams & Friends featuring Jeff Austin and Keith Moseley
David Grisman Bluegrass Experience
Railroad Earth
Dailey & Vincent
The Travelin’ McCourys
Mountain Heart
Joe Craven
Larry Keel & Natural Bridge
Greensky Bluegrass
The Hillbilly Gypsies

!!! Many more to be announced !!!

Tickets on sale now at http://delfest.com/
$110 4-day pass; $99 3-day pass (prices good through January 11, 2010)

DELuxe Experience and DelFest Academy packages available now.

http://Delfest.com for more detailed information"

DelFest News Update

Late Nights
Last year's late nights were legendary, so be sure not to miss out this time! We look forward to presenting these one-of-a-kind collaborations that will become the stuff of festival lore. You just never know who will show up!
Friday:
The Travelin' McCourys and Friends with the Davisson Brothers Band
Saturday:
Del McCoury and Friends All Star Pick with Railroad Earth
Sunday:
The Travelin' McCourys and Lee Boys with Cornmeal

For your convenience, we will be selling late night tickets in advance this year starting May 4th. All sales will be will call only for pickup at the merchandise booth at the festival. Late Night performances will begin after music has ended on the Grandstand Stage. Doors will open at 11:30pm and music will begin at midnight. You must have a camping wristband in order to attend late night shows.

DelFest Kids
DelFest is a family-friendly festival and a great place to bring children. Our Kid's Area will offer a wide variety of activities for kids of all ages. Arts and crafts, assorted games and special musical performances by Joe Craven and Little Mo' McCoury are just some of the fun activities featured in our Kid's Area. Friends of Deckers Creek will be back once again with environmental education activities such as stream bug sampling and tie-dying designed to be fun while also increasing watershed awareness, and the Allegany Arts Council will be bringing their arts bus to provide interactive art experiences. A full schedule will be available in our festival program guide. Kids ages six to 12 will need a kid's ticket. Children ages five and under are free.

Promo Tour
The Del McCoury Band will be spending most of next week (April 21-23) in the area surrounding DelFest spreading the word about this year's festival. So if you live within a few hundred miles of Cumberland, there's a good chance you'll hear them on the radio, see them on television, or catch them strolling through town. They'll be easy to spot. Just look for the big bus with the DelFest banner on the side. They'll be making stops in D.C., Baltimore, Towson, Pittsburgh, Cumberland, Frostburg, and many other cities in between. Please check back to DelFest.com on Monday, April 20th for a complete schedule.

DelFest Academy: Space Still Available!
Attention all students of bluegrass music! After a successful 2008 festival, we have added a bluegrass music academy to the program for DelFest 2009, broadening and enriching the festival experience for all levels of musicians. The first DelFest Academy will take place May 18-21, 2009, just prior to the festival.
DelFest Academy will consist of a friendly, encouraging, and intensive three-day learning experience with a group of some of the finest musicians in bluegrass: mandolinist Ronnie McCoury, banjo player Rob McCoury, fiddler Jason Carter, bassist Alan Bartram, and Ronnie Bowman.
The Academy will offer two levels of instuction: Level 1 (novice to intermediate) and Level 2 (intermediate to advanced) for guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and bass. A meet & greet for students and instuctors will kick off the academic week. A Q&A session with the Del McCoury Band and a wrap party on Thursday night will also take place. Each student may bring a guest to all extracurricular "after-class" functions for a nominal fee.
A very limited number of spots are available for the 2009 DelFest Academy. Each Academy ticket includes an Adult 3-day pass for DelFest. If you are planning to attend the Academy with a family member or friend who does not wish to attend the classes, a limited number of guest passes are also available. Guest passes allow your guest to camp with you on the DelFest site and enjoy the Monday and Thursday evening events in addition to attending DelFest. Students can also upgrade their DelFest Academy registration to enjoy all the VIP amenities offered during the festival. Tickets are on sale now!
More information about DelFest Academy

Bluegrass Academy Added To Delfest

Bluegrass Academy AddedTo 2009 DelFest Schedule

After a spectacularly successful 2008 festival, the folks at McCoury Music and High
Sierra Music have added a bluegrass music academy to the program for DelFest 2009,
broadening and enriching the festival experience for all levels of musicians. The first
DELFEST ACADEMY will take place May 18-21, 2009; DelFest 2009 follows directly,
on May 22-24.

The 2009 DELFEST ACADEMY will consist of a friendly, encouraging, and
intensive three-day learning experience with a group of some of the finest musicians in
bluegrass: mandolinist Ronnie McCoury, banjo player Rob McCoury, fiddler Jason
Carter, and bassist Alan Bartram, the Steep Canyon Rangers, as well as Ronnie
Bowman.

As members of the Del McCoury Band, Rob, Ronnie, Alan and Jason have won IBMA’s
Entertainer of the Year award nine times. Oxford American called them “The best
Bluegrass band in the world. Period.” The Steep Canyon Rangers are great musicians in
their own right and have won the IBMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year Award. Ronnie
Bowman’s bluegrass and songwriting credentials would fill up a notebook from his stint
with the Lonesome River Band, leading his own band and writing two #1 country radio
hits. With sterling credentials as celebrated performers, plus years of experience teaching
at various workshops and festival academies such as Rockygrass and Wintergrass, these
enormously gifted musicians will create an environment for learning unlike any other.

The Academy will offer two levels of instruction: Level 1 (novice to intermediate)
and Level 2 (intermediate to advanced) for guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and bass. A
meet & greet for students and instructors will kick off the academic week. A Q&A
session with the Del McCoury Band and a wrap party on Thursday night will also take
place. Each student may bring a guest to all extracurricular “after-class” functions for a
nominal fee.

In intimate classes led these world-class bluegrass professionals, students will receive
instruction targeted to their individual needs, with plenty of opportunity for one-on-one
interaction with their instructors. The overall direction of each class will ultimately be
determined by the students’ goals and needs. Students may expect to learn how to lead
jams and receive tips on practicing, technique, and accompaniment, and benefit from
direct interaction with instructors who can help them achieve their musical objectives. If
there is enough interest, the Academy may also add some elective classes on singing and
songwriting.

DelFest 2009, set to kick off on May 22 (the day after DelFest Academy ends), offers a
fantastic lineup for its second event (watch for a complete line-up announcement on
February 7th. A celebration of the musical heritage of Del McCoury, DelFest is a familyfriendly
event and takes place at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD.
Personally chosen by Del, this site is nestled along the Potomac River in the scenic

Delfest 2009 Announced

Delfest 2009 Announced: (Press release)

McCoury Music and High Sierra Music present DelFest . Memorial Day Weekend . May 22-24, 2009 Allegheny County Fairgrounds . Cumberland, Maryland, 2.5 hours NW of DC . 2.5 hours from Washington National, Dulles, Baltimore and Pittsburgh airports.

3 Days . 3 Nights . Late Night Shows . On-site Camping . Kid's Area and ActivitiesArtist Playshops . Bluegrass Band Competition . Food . Drink . Art & Craft Faire . More!

Tickets On Sale Now!
Discounted tickets for DelFest 2009 are on sale now and we're happy to announce that we're once again offering our early bird deal of just $99 for an adult three-day pass while supplies last! Visit the ticketing page for details and to purchase.

Initial Line-up Announced
In addition to appearances by the Del McCoury Band throughout the weekend, Sam Bush, Railroad Earth, Peter Rowan and The Free Mexican Airforce, J.D. Crowe and The New South, Tim O'Brien, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Lee Boys, Joe Craven, Dan Paisley & The Southern Grass, the Davisson Brothers Band, and Vinegar Creek Constituency are among those already confirmed. There are many more to come so stay tuned here and to our eNewsletters for more line-up announcements!

DelFest Academy
Attention all students of bluegrass music! The inaugural DelFest Academy will be offered May 18 - 21, 2009 at our festival site in Cumberland, featuring three days of classes and performances for banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar and bass as taught by members of the Del McCoury band and others. Enrollment and more information in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
2008 T-shirts Now Available
Did you miss out on getting your DelFest t-shirt at this year's festival? A new run has been printed and they are on sale now at the DMB store!