Steep Canyon Rangers

The Steep Canyon Rangers have come a long way since turning pro in 2001. Graham Sharp (banjo and lead and harmony vocals) met Woody Platt (guitar and main lead vocalist) and Charles R. Humphrey III (bass and harmony vocals) in 1999 while they were at the University of North Carolina in Chapel... Read More

The Steep Canyon Rangers have come a long way since turning pro in 2001. Graham Sharp (banjo and lead and harmony vocals) met Woody Platt (guitar and main lead vocalist) and Charles R. Humphrey III (bass and harmony vocals) in 1999 while they were at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. They were drawn together by their love of acoustic music and began by playing impromptu jam sessions. As things progressed, they were drawn more and more to bluegrass and started learning the genre's classic tunes. The main impetus to "go bluegrass" was the input of mandolin player Mike Guggino, an old friend of Platt's. He also had a cabin in the mountains near the school and the quartet used that as its rehearsal space.

At first, there was no thought of being in a band. The members were all in school and were planning professional careers. None of them had ever been in a band before, but as they created a style all their own -- equal parts traditional and progressive bluegrass, with a bit of country and rock in the mix -- they began to realize that they were no longer just a bunch of friends jamming. By the time they graduated, fiddler Nicky Sanders had joined and they were getting enough gigs to quit their day jobs and become full-time musicians. Although they do cover a bluegrass classic or a folk song now and then, the main strength of the Rangers is their songwriting. Sharp, Humphrey, and Guggino all contribute to the band's canon with originals that appeal to bluegrass, country, folk, blues, and jam band fans. Upon graduation, the Rangers hit the road, playing folk and rock clubs as well as traditional bluegrass venues and folk, bluegrass, and jam band festivals.

Their first album, Old Dreams and New Dreams, was put out on their own label in 2001. Mr. Taylor's New Home was released by the small indie label Bonfire in 2002 and Steep Canyon Rangers, their first for Rebel in 2004, combined a few covers with originals by bandmembers. One Dime at a Time was recorded mostly live in the studio, and helped them win the IBMA's Emerging Artist Award in 2006. The title tune went to number one on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart. They endeared themselves to jam band fans with a ragtime cover of the Grateful Dead's "Don't Ease Me In" on Lovin' Pretty Women, which was nominated for IBMA's Album of the Year, while 2009's Deep in the Shade showed off their continuing love of gospel music. The band has also been busy collaborating with other artists. In 2008 they played with Flatt & Scruggs vocalist Curly Seckler, and in 2009 comedian/banjo player Steve Martin chose the Rangers as his backing band for his tour to support his banjo album The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo. Their 2009 gig at San Francisco's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival introduced them to a whole new audience of former hippies and boomers. ~ j. poet, All Music Guide