McCoury Music Online

Nashville, Tenn., — Del McCoury & McCoury Music made an official announcement during the IBMA World of Bluegrass convention on Monday, September 28, that it has appointed a Board of Directors. The Board will be responsible for shaping the company into the centerpiece of an increasingly broad array of enterprises centered around the award-winning Del McCoury family. The new board members include Del McCoury, wife Jean and sons Ronnie and Rob McCoury, along with long-time associate Chris Harris. Harris will also oversee the creation of a new, dedicated office and staff responsible for managing all of the McCourys’ various businesses.

Stan Strickland of Rainmaker Management will continue to manage Del’s touring and career.

The move was prompted by McCoury Music’s expansion from its 2003 origin as a single-artist boutique label to a more diversified set of businesses that includes releases such as Merle Haggard’s latest and a bold, multi-artist concept album; active publishing interests; the successful “Delfest” music festival; and The Travelin’ McCourys, a new touring configuration for the family’s younger generation of musicians.

“While we sincerely appreciate everything that Rainmaker Management has done for us over the last 12 years, it has become clear that we also need a full time staff dedicated to our varied interests,” Del McCoury noted. “Chris and Stan have always gone above and beyond to keep things moving in the right direction, but this new move will allow Chris to focus on our business full time. I appreciate Stan working with me on this transition. Also, Ronnie and Rob have become a lot more hands-on with McCoury Music, so I’m excited to see what they can achieve working together with Chris.”

“I’d like to thank the McCourys for this opportunity,” says Harris. “I feel like I’ve grown up with the McCourys, having the opportunity to cut my teeth in this business during a tremendous growth period for them. They are like family, and I am looking forward to streamlining their business, and creating new areas of growth.”

“While I’ve watched with excitement while the McCoury family has taken their place among other musical legacies,” Strickland adds, “this was a difficult decision for me and Chris. We have worked together for more than a decade and have a very strong personal and working relationship. At the end of the day, the decision came down to the fact that no one is better prepared to step in and bring all the McCourys’ interests under one roof and give them the focus that they need.”

The bluegrass community can expect to see some new business opportunities and associations as a result of the move. McCoury Music is tasked with staying ahead of the curve as the music business continues to evolve, and among the goals are the sharing of resources and provision of services for like-minded artists. “You’ll continue to see Del McCoury lead in this genre from both an artistic and business standpoint,” notes Harris. “I think we’ve assembled the proper team, and taken the right steps over the past couple of years to allow McCoury Music to not only thrive during a difficult period for the music industry, but help others succeed as well. There are at least two more generations of McCoury pickers after Del, so I’m excited to be involved in something that can be around for a long time.”

The McCourys timed the announcement to coincide with the beginning of this year’s International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass events, as the organization has helped to build the Del McCoury Band’s reputation through nearly 20 years’ worth of awards, honors and high-profile performances. McCoury Music is currently in a temporary setup but should be in their new office by the end of October, just in time for the release of the Del McCoury Band’s latest album, “Family Circle,” through Sony RED distribution on October 27th.