Steep Canyon Rangers

The Steep Canyon Rangers are a bluegrass band from North Carolina. They are one of the first strictly bluegrass bands I have blogged about so far. The Bluegrass community doesn't accept bands like The Avett Brothers and even Trampled by Turtles who are often considered "New grass." The Steep Canyon Rangers have five members along with their frequent guest Steve Martin. Steve Martin plays banjo with the Steep Canyon Rangers on various tour dates and festivals along with playing on their album "Rare Bird Alert."

The band has released seven albums since they began in 2001 without Steve Martin, one with him, and have a new album "Love Has Come For You" which is planned to be released April, 23, 2013.

The Steep Canyon Rangers have a sound that ranges anywhere from a Flatt's and Scruggs sound like on "Jubilation Day" to music that sounds like it could be on today's "country" stations like "Long Shot." Long shots lyrics remind me of today's country music while the backing instruments are bluegrass (mandolin, banjo, fiddle, stand up bass, and guitar.) Jubilation day has comical lyrics they sound as if they were from a Steve Martin comedy act with a very old timey Appalachian sound. 

Long Shot

Jubilation Day

 The band 5 full time members are Wood Platt on guitar and lead vocals, Graham Sharp on banjo and backing vocals, Mike Guggino on mandolin and backing vocals, Charles R. Humphrey III on bass and backing vocals, and Nicky Sanders on fiddle and backing vocals. The instruments are fit for a typical bluegrass band. With an always evolving sound, already possessing a Grammy, and the appearances of Steve Martin this is a band that people should pay attention to in the through their career.