Del McCoury Band and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band are the driving force behind Bonnaroo’s first official theme song, “Bonnaroo (Feel The Magic).” According to Preservation Hall Creative Director and Tuba player Ben Jaffe, “Del’s bus broke down outside of Chicago at 3am following our ‘American Legacies’ gig. Pres Hall turned around, picked up the stranded McCoury’s on the side of the highway in the snow. Once aboard the bus, Ronnie McCoury presented the idea that the two groups work together to create an original Bonnaroo theme song in celebration of the 10th year anniversary. The melody and lyrics came to Preservation Hall vocalist Clint Maedgen as if the song had already been written. An hour later, the first version of it was recorded on an I-Phone and this video was recorded backstage the following night.” The song has already had its live debut and hip-hop producer Mannie Fresh (Lil’ Wayne, Juvenile) is working on a hip-hop remix.

Del and the McCoury’s performed at the first Bonnaroo back in 2002 while Preservation Hall Jazz Band curated a tent at Bonnaroo in 2006 and have deep ties to the festival’s New Orleans-bred co-producers Superfly. The two bands are scheduled to share the stage at Bonnaroo at 7:30 PM on Friday, June 10 in The Other Tent.

A video of the Del McCoury Band and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band performing the song for the 3rd time ever backstage at a show on their “American Legacies Tour” can be found above.