Working For Del McCoury -Mike Bub 

When i lived with Mike Bub and Terry Elderedge, we had to drive out to Del's house to get Mike's amp off of Del's bus. It was a Sunday and Del had the right front of the bus lifted up in a tree replacing the brakes. He was wearing overalls covered in grease and brake fluid, except for his hair. His hair was perfect not a twig, grease or spec of dirt. I ll never forget it.

You can tell that the end of his time with Del still stings for Bub, even after all the success he has enjoyed in the years since. Bub is a great musician and storyteller. I am a little surprised a guy who can tell stories so well hasn't gotten more into songwriting.

I could listen to Bub's stories all day long....thank you.

Back in '05 I was a rhythm guitarist in a hard Rock band, and I would drive the lead guitarist crazy by showing up to band practice, blasting Del McCoury from the car CD player. He couldn't understand how I could listen to Bluegrass music. The upside is, after a while, he began to understand and appreciate the music, too.

I love Mike's honesty, insight, and perspective on working w/Del and the music business in general. It's funny, but all of us at the local music level experience the same difficulties as the big bands minus the money. Again, great interview and subject matter Otis.

I was honored to see Mike with the Del McCoury Band at a big show in Branson about 20 years ago. The "dance" around the 2 microphone sound system was so much fun to witness. Still the best musical event I have experienced. Mr. Bub was the standout performer of that show for me with the humor, talent and life spirit that these interviews capture today. Thank you Mike for sharing your life with us and thank you Otis for the gentle way you wrangle the best stories from all the people in music I love the most.

My wife and I just seen the Del McCoury band in Nashville Indiana November 4th. Great show, Del played rythm and sang nearly every song….he’s 84!!!

Remember the day you came over to my house Mike ain't got my dad's old Cadillac started I think it's been sitting out there for about 2 years but you got it going!

Got to see Del and the Band in Owensboro Ky and my hometown, at the executive inn before they tore it down. The town where the IBMA started. Mid to late 90s. I have never never to this day ever came close to seeing anything like it. I knew Steve Chandler the sound engineer running sound there that night. He said hang on to your seat man its gonna get loud. It was awesome. Del broke a string and replaced it in i swear one minute, back to the mic. We kept laughing cause Del kept apologizing saying he had a touch of laurengitis...lol...i couldn't tell. Bub you made the ole bass beller that night. Good luck in the future.

I always loved seeing Del and the boys come to town. They usually sold out the venues, and all of the band and Del were always so warm and friendly and would hang around after the shows. Sadly, the last time I saw Del here, the venue he was playing had changed ownership recently, and the new owners had the bad habit of booking bands and then not promoting the performance. I heard about the show by word-of-mouth and flew down to the show after work. When I got there, there were only about 20 people in the audience. Del and the guys still did a great show, but as soon as the last note died out, Del was at the merchandise table packing up, and you could tell he wasn't interested in doing any "shake and howdy." Sadly, that venue did the same thing to the Nashville Bluegrass Band a few weeks later, and only about five people showed up. I think they were considering walking out but decided to play anyway. It turned out to be the most incredible nights of music I've ever seen. They were on stage talking to the audience, answering questions, telling stories, and taking requests every other song. It was a wonderful night for the audience, but we all felt really bad for the band.

Being a Dell fan I really enjoyed this interview. Have always been curious about Mike's sudden exit from the band. I'm thinking there's more to it than what we heard here. Thanks Otis!

What an amazing interview! Mike seems like a cool guy. I like his openness and honesty here. Another great interview Otis!

Incredible interview and all those great great musicians! So exciting. Living vicariously!

Mike is one FINE storyteller !! Loved the whole thing ! Thanks for posting !! Love everything with the McCoury name on it.

You should be following Mike Bub if you're on Facebook. Lots of good stories, photos and insights from a cat who has been up and down the road a few times. Tell him Otis sent ya! facebook.com/olebubbybass/

These guys opened the way, I think bands like OMC, the Dead South etc would be happy to say a big ol thankyou

I have seen Del many times over the decades several with Mike B and the 2 mic setup great musicians and Del's signature sound is hard to beat. I love the road stories from people like Mike thanks to both of you for a very interesting interview I could listen to this stuff for hours on end it never gets old.

Del is such a classic! First saw him on our local Fiddle & Banjo Club because they bumped our band! He was in town working on an album at an old studio in Salem, VA. John Palmer, Herschel Sizemore involved I’m pretty sure. Fast forward, 2 buddies I grew up with, Jack Leaonard, Steve Thomas, both worked for Del, when he was in PA. Del would hit this Roanoke, VA area often. I happened to make a trip to Bean Blossom Festival. Jimmy Martin on first set had a fillin bass player. He callously introducing her as her last time on stage. I’ll have to say, next set, Del had arrived and Jimmy borrowed Mike. It WAS like night and day. I’ve been on sound crews always easy to work with. I happened to be on event staff security for a Miranda Lambert concert here. Opener was Ashley Monroe. A buddy fiddle player in the audience spotted Mike on bass! I’m facing the audience to keep drunks off stage. lol. On break I went looking for Mike, or Patty Loveless also was tagging along on that show. I ran into Ashley, offered to help with her carrying stuff to her bus but that was about the extent. Just another night at work. I’m semi retired now. I’ve heard a totally different version of the departure. But as a band leader or member myself, a lot of shit goes into a working band. The music is the easy part. Different personalities can clash, wives can clash, it’s hard for everyone to be on the same page and walk the same line. In the 80s with my first wife, we hit the Belle Cove in Hendersonville. Caught Bill Monroe , Wayne Lewis, Larry Cordle, Glenn Duncan, hanging around was Dale Reno, Eddie and Martha, Harley Allen, Many others. Fun night.

I always enjoy hearing Bub's stories. He has a wealth of experience, a great memory and a knack for putting the pieces together so it is comprehensible.

Great interview. I've just started listening to the Del McCurry band after running across the Vincent 1952 song..about 6 months ago. Now I enjoy listening to all their songs..but that one is still my favorite. Even better than the original Richard Thompson version. Thanks for this interview..Mike tells a great story and it adds to the big picture of Del and his band. In fact it was just last week I found out it's his 2 sons playing with him..amazing how slowly it takes to find these things out..or maybe it's just me that's slow..love the video..

Hes a handsome old dude. I enjoyed watching him with Billy Strings. Classic

Great Stories Mike! Thanks Otis! Love to see Del McCoury under his bus..

Awesome video! I have come to appreciate so many musicians a singers I never knew until I saw them in one of your videos!!

Great interview. I had a chance to meet Mike at Albino Skunk fest in Greer SC. I think he was playing bass for Elizabeth Cook on that gig and it was back around 2012 (?). I was backstage and he was just hanging around. Came across to me just as he does in this interview, friendly and funny. Funny how in the video he talks about people still thinking he was part of DMB, which is what I also thought at the time. As a doghouse bass player myself, he's a good one. I remember lsitening to the CD "The Family" that he was on with Del. Check out how he drives the song "Red Eyes on a Mad Dog". His timing is just so good, and his tone is perfect.

I thought they fired or Jason Carter quit at the same time. Somehow Jason was back quickly. Always wanted to know what really happened. Everything Mike has been a part of is great. That version of Del’s band was one of the best shows I’d ever seen.

What a great bass player!

Could listen to Mike for hours, so interesting monologue.

Thanks Otis…Mike Bub is a treasure. I got to see him with Del…it was Magical..

As a nobody I met Mike in a stairwell meeting :) at an IBMA.... he was the nicest fellow! Totally a cool hang!

Del just gets better with age like fine wine. He is also a nice man who always pleases his fans. Good post thank you!

Richard Thompson and the English folk rock “movement” borrowed heavily from Bluegrass. It was cool to see Del get a little dividend from Richard’s music. Two of my very favorite musical geniuses.

Thanks mike, you were always holding it down back there with that good playing and quick on your feet with a joke, I started seeing Del in the mid 90’s and I was at rocky grass camp when you were there too. I was watching some YMSB today with Jeff…..fantastic ! And Willy Watson with OCMS, man those were the days. I can only take so much of emo / Bach mandolin, also amazing though I think bill would say * son you know that’s not how you play it * thanks for the basic real live experience discussion.

Great interview!

THE BUBSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is Louie D. Its been too many years since I've seen you but I love ya just the same!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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old Bub has been down the road a few times... Interesting cat. Rock On Otis!

What a great interview. Mike Bub is a wonderful story-teller.

I saw Del's band in 92 when Mike joined and right after Jason Carter joined. I was working for Rounder Records at the time. Over the years, I was fortunate to see and become friendly with Ronnie, Del & 'family. A glorius Bluegrass band!! Thanks. - JJ

I saw the Del McCoury band at the Roxy. I'm not sure if they played there more times than that night or not. If not it was the night Mike describes here but the way I recall it, they all played around a single mic that show, so maybe they played that venue multiple times. I went with a buddy of mine from university was friends with the whole band from his days in Nashville. We got to hang with the band in the green room before the show. They were all just the sweetest guys and the show was awesome that night!

Thanks for this interview Otis! I absolutely LOVE to listen to Mike Bub! Wonderful interview!

Great interview and history Blue Grass Festivals are the best the camping ones were great in California , I saw , Garcia and Young , and many other guys coming in and playing with these great acts .

Been waiting for this one; thank you, gentlemen.

I really appreciate Mike telling the story of his exit from the band. I've always wanted to hear what happened . . . and now I know.

One of my few "celebrity" photographs is me and Del in Greenville SC at the old Handlebar.

Genius Guest, GibbsO ❤

Man Delfest was always marketed as the cool place to be, around here. It never seemed like it was an old stogie festival. I was never deep in bluegrass, but that was always a place that we wanted to go to.

BIRCHMERE !!!!!

I salute you Sir...

Otis, Please have Bub about the time we all got chickenpox. He had to miss another tour with Del..... mostly my fault.

I saw mike at a festival in florida playing with valerie smith

chris s was one of those undergounrd belvoed legends ot those who knew by name of his work a sorta lesser known documentarian akin to oh name brain shoot the one cat whos films weve shown ill think of it and of course the Lomaxes....

Awesome

The DMc Band is not as good without Bubs !!! Thanks Otis this is great stuff.

❤