In one of the most musically-taut and diverse lineups yet, DelFest is poised to provide the go-to location for anyone looking for the best in music for Memorial Day Weekend, 2013. [May 23rd - 26th.]

Since the festival's inception, Del McCoury has brought amazing musicians to the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, Maryland. This year is no different.

I spent my entire weekend at DelFest thinking of a musician who wasn't even on the lineup:  Doc Watson.. I had heard of his declining health just before I departed for the festival.  I overheard many at DelFest expressing their own concern.  It appears we all had a feeling, sadly.  I wish we'd have been wrong.

The Grateful Web just had an amazing opportunity to speak to bluegrass legend, Del McCoury.

I had a dream about Steve Martin, last night..

I knew I'd be writing this story, today.. That's likely why he was on my mind.  Of course he was in a white suit, with an arrow headband on his head.  [I'm a child of the seventies, after all..] But instead of playing for laughs, he was picking his banjo with fire, along with a bevy of world-class bluegrass musicians.  This was an especially fun dream, considering I've never seen him perform in any capacity beyond the movie theater.

Through their many comments on Facebook and other social media sites, DelFest fans have made it clear that they are excited about the already announced DelFest lineup.

DelFest has recently announced their initial lineup for the 5th Annual DelFest!

Did you ever see the movie, The Blues Brothers?  I saw it back when it came out, in a theatre.. It’s one of my favorite comedies of all time. And one of my favorite scenes is at the honky-tonk bar, where John Belushi’s character asks the waitress what kind of music is played there.  She replies in a happy chirp, “Oh – we’ve got both kinds.. Country – AND  – Western.. “

There’s something inherently ‘good’ about Del McCoury. I say this, never having met the man; although I’ve been close enough to photograph him on a number of occasions, and to have briefly exchanged pleasantries. But that doesn’t count, and I know it.. Yet, here I am – insisting that I have perceived enough about the man to proclaim him thus.