Bobby Osborne photo by Senor McGuire

The famous Wheeling Jamboree, where many bluegrass and country music artists honed their stage craft before heading on to the Grand Ole Opry and then returned as guest artists, is being revived.

The Wheeling West Virginia jamboree, which started in 1933, had a 72-year run until its closing in 2005 when it was known as Jamboree USA.

The revived jamboree will open with a 7 p.m. April 12 show featuring Bobby Osborne & the Rocky Top Express. The old show was held in the Wheeling Capital Music Hall, but the new version will take place in WesBanco Arena.

It already appears that some of artists from the old show will be coming back to the new venue. One, Slim Lehart, is booked on the April 26 show and is holding a post-Jamboree show, beginning at 9:30 p.m. that night at Wheeling’s McClure Hotel. Lehart’s Web site includes an invitation for all jamboree entertainers and band members to attend.

The weekly concert series will be broadcast live over 1170 WWVA-AM radio after the April 12 performance. It is being supported by a newly formed non-profit board of directors.

The following 2 part video looks at the history and significance of the Wheeling Jamboree.

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Del McCoury Band

Bluegrass master Del McCoury announced that he’ll be hosting a world-class music festival over Memorial Day weekend. Produced in association with High Sierra Music, the 1st Annual DelFest will build on McCoury’s record in presenting a popular New Year’s Eve concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, his success with his own McCoury Music label and, of course, his reputation as a legendary artist whose appeal crosses generations and genres to offer a festival experience stamped with the unique McCoury touch.

Though the inaugural lineup is still being finalized, it’s clear that the bluegrass patriarch’s wide-ranging appeal and cross-genre friendships are shaping the three-day program. In addition to appearances by the Del McCoury Band throughout the weekend, Vince Gill, Dierks Bentley, Keller Williams and The Keels, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Sam Bush, Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet featuring Bela Fleck, Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile, Railroad Earth, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Great American Taxi featuring Vince Herman, Jon Fishman (artist-at-large), Steep Canyon Rangers, Adrienne Young and The Lee Boys are among those already confirmed, many for multiple performances.

Each day’s schedule will also feature more intimate appearances, both at unique “playshops” - informal workshops where the emphasis will be on performance rather than instruction - and in late night indoor performances and picking sessions. Whether they’re “parking lot pickers” or music fans, festival-goers will have plenty of opportunities to interact with their favorite artists. Rounding out the program, Delfest will include a band competition, with the winners invited to return for a set at the following year’s gathering.

The festival will offer interactive children’s programs, a craft fair featuring regional and international artisans, and an eclectic food court along with the chance to simply relax and camp with good friends in gorgeous weather. Personally chosen by Del McCoury, Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD is a perfect location, nestled along the Potomac River in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, convenient to four major airports and easily reached by rail or road, with ample tent and RV camping on site as well as plentiful lodging nearby.

The 1st Annual DelFest takes place Friday, May 23 through Sunday May 25, 2008 at the Allegany Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD. Gates open at 8:00AM on May 23.

Tickets are on sale now at delfest.com. Discount three-day adult passes are $110 through March 10 or while supplies last. (Limited quantity available at this price.) Three-day pass for kids aged 6 to 12 are $30; 5 and under admitted free. On-site camping is included with all multi-day passes. On-site RV passes with hookups are $100. Premium VIP Packages include three-day festival passes, separate entry and camping areas, access to a VIP lounge near the main stage featuring a special viewing area, private port-o-johns, chair massage, a lounge area with beverages and snacks, admission to all late night performances, festival t-shirts, festival posters and drink tickets. These packages are designed for both individuals and groups of two. VIP Package 3 includes an RV pass with guaranteed, reserved hook-up. Prices range from $375 to $800.

Del McCoury Band’s Current Schedule:

• Mar 7 Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO
• Mar 8 Argyle Bluegrass Festival - Argyle, TX
• Mar14 York Expo Center/Memorial Hall - York , PA
• Mar 15 The National - Richmond, VA
• Apr 2 7 New Orleans Jazz Festival - New Orleans, LA
• May 23-25 DELFEST - Cumberland, MD
• Jun 19 Telluride Bluegrass Festival - Telluride, CO
• Jun 22 Center for the Arts - Jackson, WY
• Jul 18 Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival - Ancramdale, NY
• Jul 19 25th Annual Mineral BG Festival - Mineral, VA
• Aug 2 Sleeping Bear Dunegrass Festival - Empire, MI
• Aug 7 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts - Bethel, NY
• Aug 8 Lake Champlain Bluegrass Festival - Alburg, VT
• Aug 16 26th Annual Cherokee BG Festival - Cherokee, NC
• Aug 29 37th Annual Delaware Vly BG Fest - Woodstown, NJ
• Aug 31 Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival - Bruswick, ME
• Sep 7-8 Dollywood Celebrity Theatre - Pigeon Forge, TN
• Sep 13 Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass Festival - Flagstaff, AZ

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The Whites

Friday, February 29

• The Whites — 8:00-8:30
• The Grascals — 8:00-8:30
• Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys — 8:30-9:00
• Marty Stuart — 9:30-10:00
• Del McCoury Band — 9:30-10:00

Saturday, March 1

• Ricky Skaggs — 7:00-8:00 & 10:00-10:30
• Elizabeth Cook — 7:00-8:00 & 10:30-11:00
• Marty Stuart — 8:00-8:30 & 10:30-11:00
• The Whites — 8:00-8:30 & 10:00-10:30
• Mike Snider — 8:30-9:00 & 9:30-10:00
• Del McCoury Band — 8:30-9:00 & 11:00-11:30
• Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top X-Press — 10:30-11:00

The Grand Ole Opry is broadcast live on 650 AM WSM radio, online at www.WSMonline.com and on XM Satellite Radio (XM 11). All listed times are central time.

Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys will be hosting the 3,186th edition of the “Midnite Jamboree” at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop on Music Valley Drive following Saturday nights Grand Ole Opry show. The Midnite Jamboree is the 2nd longest running radio show in America and is broadcast live on 650AM WSM or online at either WSMOnline.com or a live video stream at http://www.musiccitytelevision.com/mnj. For more information visit Ernest Tubb’s Record Shop online.

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