Decorated fiddler Jason Carter has publicized his decision to depart The Del McCoury Band and the Travelin’ McCourys following a three-decade tenure supporting the 86-year-old bluegrass legend and his boys. According to his official statement, the decision comes as the artist shifts his pursuits to solo ventures. 

Carter’s decision arrived via press release this morning as a multi-paragraph letter of reflection, thanks, and intent. His complete statement read: 

It has been the honor of a lifetime to spend the last 33 years making music with The Del McCoury Band. After a considerable amount of thought, I’ve decided to say my farewell to Del and the Travelin’ McCourys in order to pursue my solo career as The Jason Carter Band.

I feel so much gratitude to these guys for nearly a lifetime of education in bluegrass music. I consider them to be not only the best musicians in the world, but the finest people you’d ever meet, and I couldn’t have picked a better boss or co-workers to be on this bluegrass journey with.

From the moment I heard Del, I wanted to play in his band. At first, I played guitar and mandolin. I talked so much about playing with Del as a kid that eventually my Dad had to tell me that Del’s sons played banjo and mandolin and Del was the guitar player so if I wanted to be in this band, I would probably have to learn fiddle or bass, and we had a fiddle at the house. I was so obsessed with his music that every day of my senior year in high school, my mother drove me to school and we’d listen to ‘I Feel The Blues Moving In.’ That song was the perfect length of time to go from our driveway to the doorstep of the school.

When I graduated high school, I realized the chances of even being in the same place as Del and his band were slim to none because they lived in Pennsylvania and I lived in Kentucky. I wound up getting a job with the Goins Brothers right out of high school and six months later, in February 1992, we were in Nashville at the same festival as Del. Tad Marks was the fiddle player in his band and he told me that the McCourys were moving to Nashville and he wasn’t making the move. He knew that I wanted his job and he encouraged me to go talk to Del. So I gave Del my number and a couple weeks later he called our home. He said I was the first to ask for the job so I was the first to get to try out if I wanted to. I’ve been there ever since.

I have to give a huge thank you to the band for practically molding me into the player I am today. Del never told me that I had to play a song a certain way; he always encouraged me to play it how I felt. In those days he would drive the bus, and there were many nights I would ride shotgun all night and play fiddle trying to learn solos to his songs. Del would sing melodies to me and I would try to play them back to him.

I can’t begin to list all the experiences that we had, but I’m extremely proud of every moment. We played everything from college town bars to Carnegie Hall, and the biggest festivals in the world. I’m so proud of all the music that we played together.

I also feel I owe a lot to the guys in the Travelin’ McCourys. I’m extremely grateful to be able to have been part of that band since the beginning. I’m very much excited to watch their growth and all they will accomplish, too. I’ll be their biggest cheerleader!

Not long ago, I realized when Del made the move to Nashville in 1992 and I started with his band, he was close to the same age I am now. This is just another example of how I have been inspired by Del McCoury. At this point in time, I feel that everything in my world is pointing me in the direction of starting my own band and pursuing my solo career. After releasing my latest solo record, Lowdown Hoedown, I have really enjoyed touring and fronting my own shows. I have a new record coming out with my friend, Michael Cleveland, in March, and I’m very excited about playing some shows with him. And, I’m preparing to begin recording my second solo project very soon. I am so excited about this new chapter and for the chance to share my own music with the world.

With a solo album, Lowdown Hoedown, his release with Cleveland expected in the future and a series of live shows with the latter shaping up, Carter will continue invigorating live sets with fiddling flair. Scroll down for a complete list of forthcoming tour dates. 

For the latest on Carter, visit www.jasoncarterfiddle.com.

Live Shows: 

Feb 20 – Nashville – The Station Inn with Michael Cleveland

Feb 21 – Fort Meyers, Fla. – Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center with Michael Cleveland

Apr 2 – Savannah, Ga. – Ships Of The Sea Maritime Museum with Michael Cleveland

Jun 14 – Lake Cowichan, BC, Canada – Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival

Sept 12 – Louisville, Ky. – Bourbon & Beyond with Michael Cleveland

Sept 14 – Flagstaff, Ariz. – Pickin’ In The Pines with Michael Cleveland