Lee Boys + McCourys = Party!

Sacred steel gospel combo teams up with bluegrass legends and you don't want to miss it.

By Blurt Staff

Hands down, one of the highlights of this year's Warren Haynes Christmas Jam was when the Lee Boys got onstage with fellow Haynes guests the Del McCoury Band - on two separate nights (at the pre-Jam and then the Jam proper), sacred steel met bluegrass as a stompin' throwdown of "Celebrate" unfolded. As a BLURT staffer put it afterwards, "The Lee Boys were absolutely, jaw-droppingly amazing at the 2008 Warren Haynes Christmas Jam - in particular, when they jammed with the Del McCoury Band, it was one of those electric, pinch-me moments  music lovers live for. The looks on both bands' faces would suggest they were just as amazed as the audience, too."

The Lee Boys were also enthusiastic about an upcoming tour with the McCourys, and now details have arrived from the Lee camp about a string of dates taking place the last week or so of January. Read on, and trust us on this one: no matter what your particular musical predilection, don't miss the tour if it comes anywhere near you.

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THE LEE BOYS, a "sacred steel" sextet from Miami, and THE TRAVELIN' MCCOURYS, an all star off shoot of the legendary DEL MCCOURY BAND, will join together for a half dozen tour dates in the Southeast beginning January 21^st at the Georgia Theater in Athens, GA.   On the tour, each band will perform a set before joining together for a nightly jam session sure to rally audiences to their feet! Outstanding local and regional players will also be invited to sit in, in a tradition that has become a trademark of the McCoury Family.

THE LEE BOYS is a band that transcends the boundaries set by musical genres; their music is an energetic blend of R&B, gospel, hip-hop, rock and country driven by the pedal steel guitar. 2008 has been a monumental year for the band, having performed at over 50 of the biggest music festivals in the U.S., culminating with an appearance on Late Night With Conan O'Brien on December 8^th; a performance on the prestigious West Virginia Public Radio show, Mountain Stage; and successful tours with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Michelle Shocked, Susan Tedeschi, Victor Wooten and more. 

THE TRAVELIN' MCCOURYS consists of the band members of the most awarded group in the history of bluegrass -The Del McCoury Band- uniquely paired with elements of other touring bands in configurations purposely reminiscent of the Traveling Wilburys.  The Travelin' McCourys is comprised of Ron McCoury on mandolin, Rob McCoury on banjo, Jason Carter on fiddle, and Alan Bartram on bass.  They will be joined on this tour with three members from Dre's Rude Awakening: Dre' Anders (vocalist), Shane Theriot (guitar), and Johnny Neel (keyboards). This touring unit blends the best of the Appalachian tradition with the improvisational magic of jazz, folk, and blues. Unique live collaborations are the hallmark of their performances, and demonstrate why critics and musicians across the world hail the McCourys as the best bluegrass band in the world. There may not be a major festival where they have not performed-from Bonnaroo to the Jazz Series at Carnegie Hall.

Tour Dates:

Wed, Jan 21                       Georgia Theatre                                   Athens , GA

Thurs, Jan 22                     Legends at Appalachian State             Boone , NC

Fri, Jan 23                          Smith's Olde Bar                                  Atlanta, GA

Sat, Jan 24                         Shoreline Ballroom                              Hilton Head Island , SC

Fri, Jan 30                          Zydeco                                                  Birmingham , AL

Sat, Jan 31                         Rhythm and Brews                                Chattanooga TN