The Steep Canyon Rangers have carved out a special spot in the world of bluegrass music, creating a sound that looks forward and backwards at the same time. First formed in the stairwells and kitchens of Chapel Hill, NC, the Rangers arrive from varied musical backgrounds. On stage and in the studio, Woody Platt, Mike Guggino, Charles Humphrey, Nicky Sanders, and Graham Sharp have perfected their ensemble approach using fierce dynamics and seamless harmonies. The Rangers base their sound around a stunning catalogue of original songs, drawing on the sounds of early bluegrass, honky tonk, and blues.

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’ 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 hard core 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.

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.”

Although there are no overnight success stories in the field of bluegrass, the Steep Canyon Rangers have come a long way since turning professional in 2001. Sharp, Platt and Humphrey met as undergraduates at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, drawn together by their love of acoustic music. As their impromptu jams progressed, they were drawn more and more to bluegrass and started learning the genre’s classic tunes. Mike Guggino, a friend of Platt’s, joined shortly thereafter and the band started gigging regularly. Since none of them had ever been in a band before, they felt free to blaze their own path, generating most of their own material and creating a style all their own. By the time they graduated, they were booking enough gigs to eschew the 9 to 5 and become full-time musicians. Their first three albums Old Dreams & New Dreams, Mr. Taylor’s New Home and The Steep Canyon Rangers (their first for Rebel) all combine original songs with carefully chosen covers. Now joined by California fiddler Nicky Sanders,”One Dime At A Time” follows the band’s formula with another collection of diverse, mostly self-penned material guaranteed to please long time fans and introduce younger listeners to the high, lonesome sound of bluegrass. While maintaining a traditional sound, the Steep Canyon Rangers have put their own unmistakable mark on the music.

Date/Time:  January 23, 2008, 8:00 pm @ Boulder Theater

Audience:  21 and Over

General Admission:  $12.00

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