Del Rey started playing classical guitar when she was four, but discovered blues when, as a teenager, she met bluesman Sam Chatmon. Her guitar playing combines country blues, stride piano, classic jazz and hillbilly boogie. Del plays concerts worldwide and presents a concert/lecture on women musicians called Women in American Music. She tours frequently with guitarist Steve James, plays ukulele with The Yes Yes Boys, and appears on Maria Muldaur’s 2005 CD Sweet Lovin' Old Soul. Del’s solo albums include X-Rey Guitar, Hot Sauce, Boogie Mysterioso and Del Rey:Live.

She writes about music for various publications, including Acoustic Guitar Magazine, and is a popular instructor at numerous guitar camps and workshops.