Rumor Central [Archive] - Mandolin Cafe Forum

Mandomax

Jun-17-2005, 5:58am

Just went to the Del McCoury official web site. Someone confirmed it on the bulletin board there. Said they saw a gig in Idaho and Del stated they had parted ways. Bummer! Bub could beat that dog house righteously and sing like nobody's business. Best to you, Mike! Keep on pickin!
-Max

AlanN

Jun-17-2005, 6:35am

Man, he was with them a long time, sang good baritone.

csstanley

Jun-17-2005, 7:27am

Yeah and I had just seen them last Saturday.

They are a class act. Best wishes in his endeavours.

Hey, just thought. I may have one of the last pictures of them together. At the Blueridge Music center in Galax.

mandopete

Jun-17-2005, 8:03am

Man, this is eerie - I was listening to Cold Hard Facts last night and looking at the CD cover. I was thinking it seemed odd that Robbie and Jason were smoking. I then looked at Mike and thought, man this band had been together a long time.

Who's the new bass player?

banjoman0254

Jun-17-2005, 7:32pm

They said that Jason left to play fiddle for Erika Jo. I don't blame him...good pay and a hot girl!

csstanley

Jun-18-2005, 6:59pm

Jason hasn't left from what I've read on some other boards. And I hope he don't.

JDARTGOD

Jun-18-2005, 10:11pm

From the Del McCoury Site message board; A post by Mike Bub on 18 June:

Friends & Fans, Mike Bub here wishing to formally inform you of my departure from the DMB. After thirteen years of loyal service, Galax is to be my last show. Yes, untimely, surprising and unexpected, I share these reactions with all of you. My week did not start out with any preconcieved notions of this and ended up quite differently. While I will not use this message board air any differences we may have had regarding the cause of this, I would like to thank all of you for your support of the DMB down through the years and especially your support of my role as bass player. I leave with my full respect of Del and Jean and all the boys in tact and I appreciate to no end what they have done for and my family. Without hesitation I can say I feel priveleged to have met so many great people and feel fortunate to call so many of you friends. The future is unknown but I know that the band and myself will move on and prosper. I hope to see you all again with whatever new endeavor comes my way and I encourage you to stick with the DMB through the upcoming changes and challenges that are facing them as well. There will be a lot of questions as to how and why and you are not likely to find them on this website as I am the only one in the band who participated on these pages. If any one would like to contact me you can do so at olebubby@bellsouth.net. Until we meet again, thank you, and we will see you out on the old bluegrass trail.

GVD

Jun-19-2005, 9:41am

Well I guess that clears that up http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

GVD

SternART

Jun-19-2005, 11:31am

They carried on w/ a new bass player in Grass Valley yesterday, didn't catch his name, but he has worked on recording sessions in Nashville w/ Del & others in the band. Got to talk w/ Ronnie...but we just talked mandos.....he handed me his Gil & BOY he has whupped some tone into it over the years! They played twice on stage yesterday, but the best part was a band workshop attended by maybe 30 people. They answered questions & picked for well over an hour.....very generous with their time.....just really nice folks!

Moose

Jun-19-2005, 11:57am

Things happen, folks. It's tough to get 5-6 folks to travel together..., WORK together, PLAY together, and yes, even sleep together(pls, NO PUN intended !!)- Personalites..., temperments..., etc. - Shucks, my marriage didn't even last THAT long!## - Wishing all good things to DEL & the boys. There top-players and good folks. Just my .02. "Moose-the voice-of-experience". http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Steven

Jun-19-2005, 3:58pm

Yup I bet that is true.I sure hope Jason stays he's an awsom fiddler.

JDARTGOD

Jun-19-2005, 7:28pm

[QUOTE]Wishing all good things to DEL & the boys. There top-players and good folks.

Yeah, same goes for Mike Bub too. I don't really much care what where how or why it happened. It was a great run with Bub and I'm sure there's about a hundred players standing in line to fill his shoes. Best wishes to all.

mingusb1

Jun-20-2005, 10:42am

"I'm sure there's about a hundred players standing in line to fill his shoes"...

And of those 100, there might be 1 or 2 that could actually do it. #If you've seen him live, you know what I'm talking about.

I'm a bass player and I'll be playing my last gigs this week with a really fun and good band. #Circumstance has it that I am moving out of state for a new job.

The (sometimes) hard fact is that bands come and go. #But I trust that all of us will keep striving to learn and play the music that we love.

Z

csstanley

Jun-20-2005, 12:17pm

Here, here Mingus.

I second ya there buddy. And REALLY good bass players are REALLY hard to find. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

JDARTGOD

Jun-20-2005, 12:46pm

REALLY good bass players are REALLY hard to find.

No truer words ever spoken!!

There should be a rule somewhere........you are NOT allowed touch another blugrass instrument until you learn basic-intermediate Bluegrass Bass playing on upright and electric. This way, everyone could do a little thumping around the jam circle and one single person doesn't get "stuck" all day when he or she'd like to take a few rounds on some other instrument they know how to play. What a concept!

Moose

Jun-20-2005, 1:36pm

Just as a sidenote - and not to hijack the "thread", but many of the GOOD bass players I've heard or worked with..., were WOMEN!! - I believe many of us can attest to this "fact" - and, yer' right, a bass player can make-or-break your music/sound. I played Country music for many years and if you have a drummer AND a bass that don't know what their doin'(i.e. get a "cross-beat" goin'!) - It'll make a loooonnng nite!## - In these situations I would usually take a deep breath..., and head-for-the-BAR!!!### - Moose http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

batman

Jun-20-2005, 1:47pm

Bub's the only bass player ive ever seen break a string during a set. He had another on there by the next song.great guy to boot. best wishes, Don

mingusb1

Jun-20-2005, 2:02pm

"everyone could do a little thumping around the jam circle and one single person doesn't get "stuck" all day"...

I like that idea a lot! #Just got back from Telluride and was fortunate to have 2 or 3 other accomplished bass players around camp to share the duties. #Then I got to hack away at some intermediate mando!

Z

Mark in Nevada City

Jun-20-2005, 2:21pm

Saw them yesterday at Grass Valley: new bass player is Dennis Crouch. He's a Nashville guy with some good credits and did a fine job at the gig. Great shows as usual and with all the requests that they take, I'm sure its been tough to jump into mike's shoes.

cheers, mmm

Cactus Jack

Jun-20-2005, 3:28pm

Right, they did a great job at the Grass Valley Festival on June 18th & 19th; and Jason was playing fiddle.

csstanley

Jun-20-2005, 3:34pm

Just for old time sake.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/csstanley/IM000898.jpg

Last show together.

Moose

Jun-20-2005, 3:38pm

Now THAT'S a Bluegrass Band!! - Thanks for sharing! - http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

futrconslr

Jun-20-2005, 10:46pm

My understanding is that Jason is working out a two week notice.

And he is smoking hot!

swampstomper

Jun-21-2005, 4:44am

Here's an interview with Dennis from Bass Inside magazine this year:

Dennis interview (http://www.bassinside.com/2005/may/crouch.htm)

He is on the Bryan Sutton "Bluegrass Guitar" project.

Cactus Jack

Jun-21-2005, 11:22am

Just read on the California Bluegrass Association's "Message Board" that Jason has given his notice. I think Del and the Boys should have gone to group counseling before these decisions were made!

AlanN

Jun-21-2005, 11:32am

Now if Ronnie serves notice, then all bets are off! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Steven

Jun-21-2005, 3:56pm

ARRRRGH!Say it aint so!The best group in Bluegrass falling apart.No Jason?....you GOT to be kidding me!Damn.

craigw

Jun-21-2005, 6:56pm

Anybody out there have a more accurate e-address for MIke Bub? I tried to send a message off to the address posted and it came back "no matches found."

swampstomper

Jun-21-2005, 7:34pm

I wouldn't say "falling apart". Lots of great groups have split, only to be replaced by equally good, if somewhat different, sounds. WSM is of course the classic example. People probably said "how can he replace Flatt & Scruggs??" -- I would say Martin and Lyle were "adequate" to say the least! Dell knows what he is doing and I will go see him as long as he's playing.

JDARTGOD

Jun-21-2005, 11:10pm

Don't be surprised if the same thing happens to other LONG-running established groups. Things, people, ideas, tastes, etc..... change.

I give AKUS another 2 years (tops) before "The Fabulous Five" have a change in one form or another.

earthsave

Jun-22-2005, 10:54am

I heard that Ronnie got an offer he couldnt refuse from Bo Bice and that Rob is retiring to become a full time ant farmer... Del will continue solo and shorten his name to just Del.:p

Cactus Jack

Jun-22-2005, 11:53am

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif "The times they are a changing," Bob Dylan.

mandopete

Jun-22-2005, 5:53pm

Del will continue solo and shorten his name to just Del
...I think he needs to compete on American Idol, but he can be a bit "pitchy".

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Scotti Adams

Jun-22-2005, 5:57pm

Naw..Im just thinking Del is wanting to retire..hes been in the biz for a real long time....Him and the Boys have probably talked about it and they are looking elsewhere..

goldtopper

Jun-23-2005, 6:34am

Man, this is eerie - I was listening to Cold Hard Facts last night and looking at the CD cover. #I was thinking it seemed odd that Robbie and Jason were smoking. #I then looked at Mike and thought, man this band had been together a long time.

Who's the new bass player?
They were smoking because they do smoke. I had one of my last butts with Robbie after a gig one night two months ago.

mandopete

Jun-23-2005, 6:23pm

They were smoking because they do smoke. .
Oh, I thought they were just trying to do an "Abbey Road" sort of thing!

kudzugypsy

Jun-24-2005, 12:31pm

Del retiring would break my heart, as i think the DMB is the rareity in the music world today. they truely are the REAL DEAL. there is TOO MUCH fake-iness going on these days with popular musical acts. those guys go out there and give 110% every night.....and Del EARNED it. all those years of playing county fairs and church meetings....30 years to "make it" - #now, you just get a record deal for looking good in a pair of 2-sizes to small wranger jeans.

Del has done more for this music than ANYone else (maybe one could argue AKUS) in taking the traditional BG sound to another generation. i am constantly amazed at the younger people, with CD cases full of the hippest .alt bands, who are all into Del. they know he is the real deal. and they have turned on to BG music because of him the same way that Garcia playing with OITW back in the 70's did.

i will vent my frustrations here with the current round of festival bands, (i wont name any, but regular festival goers will fill in the blanks).
the DMB was the only one i would ever go out of my way to see - because it was a different show everytime. the large majority of the current shows are the same old show, note for note, joke for joke, set list for set list. the only thing that changes is the line up every 2 years.

thats all

Garrett

Jun-24-2005, 12:53pm

Del really takes requests. A few years back he tried Blue Darlin' and he couldn't remember the chorus so Ronnie had to sing it. I love his fake requests too -- "Did I hear you say Vincent Black Lightning? Me and the boys could play that one."

GTison

Jun-24-2005, 1:08pm

Del Might be considering retirement, remember he is having voice problems too... don't wanna end up like Tony Rice. I think the boys are positioned for a run alone as well. Just conjecture on my part.

I think I remember Bass fans, that Bub is a winfield BANJO champion. He could emerge in just about any band on a different instrument than bass.

Moose

Jun-24-2005, 1:50pm

DITTO to all-the-above!! re: Del McCoury - the real-deal(IMHO) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Bradley

Jun-24-2005, 1:56pm

I believe you cant really appreciate Del and the boys until you see them live.Its then you can see their love for the music and how real they are

I have never seen a guy "light up" like he does on stage...I was never a big fan until I saw them,now I own all of their CD's

Mando4Life

Jun-24-2005, 2:02pm

I believe you cant really appreciate Del and the boys until you see them live

I totally agree. #I saw them here in Cincy a few years ago. #They put on a heck of a show. #You can see it on their faces when they play; they love what they do.

WBL

ethanopia

Jun-24-2005, 2:45pm

well we shall if the jason part is true, I have not seen any official word on that.

I can say that if he is looking the Wagoneers needs a fiddler for the summer!

lol...

man doh

Jun-24-2005, 3:07pm

I don't think Del should retire but he should slow down a bit. That man is around this world and back again aleast every year. Hardest working band in bluegrass.

And I love the fact they will get off the plane or out of the car and walk right into a Q&A session before the show. (Saw them do it twice at Grey Fox. Ronnie almost hit me with the Lincoln as they pulled in last year.)

timothy.c.hicks

Jun-24-2005, 3:20pm

What kind of voice problems is Del having? The singing on the new CD (the one coming out this July) sounds as good as ever.

csstanley

Jun-24-2005, 8:40pm

When he was at the Blueridge Music center he was complaining about allergies.

He did miss a few licks but kept right on ticking.

Someone said above you can't really appreciate them till you see them live. So true, SO TRUE.

I've seen them twice in the last 3 or 4 months and both shows were AWESOME.

MWM

Jun-25-2005, 5:10am

Saw them last night. Jason's still in the band. He denied he was leaving when I asked him. A fine show.

mpeknox

Jun-25-2005, 7:56am

Del is the man!! Can't wait for the new album.

jim simpson

Jun-25-2005, 4:04pm

I would just like to say that if Ronnie decides to leave, I would like to take his place. Now that would surely spell the end for the band!!
My group had to follow them at a festival last summer. I think all the folks that were leaving the audience when we started playing was because it was dinner time, I'm not so sure.
I had some vocal trouble about 10 years ago and thought it was due to allergies. It turned out that acid reflux was irritating my throat. I've been on Prilosec and have not had any singing issues since. I listened back to a tape of show when this started and it was painful to listen to. I thought of this when I heard Del live at Grass Valley on XM radio. His voice was "catching" on some high notes and man, I felt for him.

KevinM

Jul-05-2005, 3:46pm

A little speculation is a dangerous thing but this actually could have been brought on by their increasing financial success. I'd be surprised if the McCoury family are not the "partners-owners" and Mike and Jason the employees, not unlike the situation with Flatt and Scruggs. And there often comes a time when the able employee asks for his due share of the lucre, only to be told his technical skills are a fungible commodity that can be acquired elsewhere and for a cheaper price. Not that it would go down that way, given the quality folks involved, but the essence may be true. Call it the "Wrong Last Name Syndrome". Mike is a true and distinctive talent and I am confident the cream will continue to rise as it always has.