From Asheville, North Carolina, Steep Canyon Rangers have built a reputation as an engaging acoustic quintet seasoned by constant touring. Before being nominated for 2 International Bluegrass Music awards in 2008 (including Album of the Year, ”Lovin’ Pretty Women), the Rangers were named ’Emerging Artist of the Year’ in 2006 at the IBMA awards ceremony in Nashville, TN. The group has been regularly featured on the Grand Ole Opry, as well as major U.S. Bluegrass and Americana music festivals such as MerleFest, Telluride, Grey Fox, DelFest and RockyGrass.
 
The band’s willingness to bring Bluegrass to music-lovers worldwide has taken Steep Canyon Rangers to festivals in Sweden, Ireland, Germany and Canada. The group also regularly performs at Rock & Roll venues on the U.S. jam-band circuit.

The Steep Canyon Rangers’ deep dedication to bluegrass is heard in every note they play. With a sound firmly rooted in bluegrass tradition, they draw musical elements from Honky-tonk, classic Country, Bluegrass and Blues.
 
While the Rangers are committed to a more traditional Bluegrass style, the band is determined to bring their music to the next generation of fans. They performed Rock clubs, Jam Band festivals and other non-traditional venues, winning new converts at every turn.
 
The Rangers are: Woody Platt (guitar and lead vocals), Graham Sharp (banjo, harmony vocals), Mike Guggino (mandolin and harmony vocals), Charles R. Humphrey III (bass and harmony vocals) and Nicky Sanders (fiddle and harmony vocals). Constant touring, rehearsing and active songwriting keeps them busy through the 120+ shows performed each year.
 
’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 

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