”If George Jones had Lester Flatt and Bill Monroe in mind when he sang ’Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?’ he might have found his answer in North Carolina’s hot-picking, young band, The Steep Canyon Rangers.”
Jack Bernhardt
Raleigh News & Observer
The Steep Canyon Rangers’ deep dedication to bluegrass is heard in every note they play. But it’s the band’s amazing songwriting talent that makes them truly exceptional. With a sound firmly rooted in bluegrass tradition, their ability to draw musical elements from hardcore honky-tonk, classic country, and blues sets them apart from the rest of the pack.
While Steep Canyon’s fierce commitment to traditional bluegrass audiences is obvious, the band is also dedicated to bringing their music to the next generation of fans. They have taken bluegrass to rock clubs, jam band festivals and other non-traditional venues, winning new converts at every turn.
The Rangers are young, ambitious men: Graham Sharp (banjo, lead and harmony vocals), Woody Platt (guitar and lead vocals), Charles R. Humphrey III (bass and harmony vocals), Mike Guggino (mandolin and harmony vocals), & Nicky Sanders (fiddle and harmony vocals). Constant touring, intense rehearsing, and most importantly, creative songwriting, sets them apart from the field.
In 2006 the International Bluegrass Music Association voted Steep Canyon Rangers the Emerging Artist of the Year. The past year also saw the title track ”One Dime at a Time” rise to #1 on Bluegrass Unlimited’s National Bluegrass Survey. In October the Grand Ole Opry welcomed the Rangers for a debut performance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. On the heels of their recent success comes a third Rebel release Lovin’ Pretty Women produced by bluegrass heavyweight Ronnie Bowman and engineered by guitarist Wyatt Rice, affirming the band’s arrival at the highest circle of acoustic music.
The Steep Canyon Rangers have built a reputation as a powerful, engaging quintet seasoned by constant touring. Their willingness to carry bluegrass to music-lovers worldwide has put the band on stage at Americana and Bluegrass festivals in the U.S. and overseas, as well as major Rock & Roll venues on the national jam-band circuit.
Previous album release & band history
On One Dime At A Time, the Rangers emerge with their own distinctive approach to bluegrass, one that honors the music’s traditional sound while taking a giant step in a style and direction all their own. The album was recorded live in the studio with first time producer Mike Bub, long-time bass player for the Del McCoury Band. The group credits Bub for his aid in shaping the arrangements, sharpening the vocals, and getting a live feel in the studio. “We all gathered in a circle around a couple of microphones,” Graham Sharp said. “No separate booths, no headphones, no separate tracks. You can really hear the natural blend of our instruments and voices.”
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