The Del McCoury Band recruited a number of their most famous friends for a special New Years Eve performance at Nashvilles world famous Ryman Auditorium, including Jon Fishman, Vince Herman, Drew Emmitt and Ronnie Bowman. Throughout the night, McCoury ran through both a number of his own songs and a range traditional bluegrass covers, including Travelin’ Teardrop, All Aboard, Vincent Black Lightning, Cold Rain and Snow, and a 10 minute bluegrass version of Auld Lang Syne. Fishman emerged approximately halfway through McCourys set wearing a tie and one of the McCourys matching black suits and played snare on a few songs before switching to a full drum kit. His song selection included Beauty of My Dreams, a McCoury original that Phish covered regularly from 1997-2000 (and with the Del McCoury Band at Camp Oswego in 1999). McCoury also invited out Mike Garris, author of the 1980s McCoury number Loneliness and Desperation, to play on his trademark number.

The Del McCoury Band will appear at Portlands Oregon Convention Center on January 5.