Del McCoury stands among bluegrass' elder statesmen as one of the last stars whose CV includes work alongside the great Bill Monroe. It was with Monroe, in fact, that McCoury developed his intricate guitar style and high lonesome singing voice, both of which he deploys to marvellous effect on songs like "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" (a swirling tune about a boy, his motorcycle and the girl who inherits it after his untimely death). His influence on younger generations has been significant as well, as the warm, humble Steve Earle collaboration “Pilgrim” can attest.