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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Steep Canyon Rangers

The Steep Canyon Rangers took a weeks-long vacation from Thanksgiving to the end of the 2018.

Vacations usually aren’t news, but the break marked the first time in a very long time that the Rangers, who have spent nearly 20 years bending bluegrass into their own unique sound, took significant time off.

“It was refreshing, restful and great for our families,” frontman Woody Platt says during a recent phone interview.

The band was back to work as soon as the calendar rolled over into 2019. Platt and the guys – Graham Sharp, Nicky Sanders, Barrett Smith, Mike Ashworth and Mike Guggino – were in Nevada to play a two-night stand for the Nevada Museum of Art.

“Coming back at it was sort of a unique feeling – that feeling of being a little rusty, but feeling excited because of that,” Platt says

On Saturday, the Steep Canyon Rangers will be back home in Asheville to play their annual hometown show. For nearly a decade, that show was held at The Orange Peel. Last year, the band moved into the ExploreAsheville.com Arena inside the U.S. Cellular Center. That’s where they’ll be again this weekend.

It’s been quite a ride to get to that cavernous venue, says Platt, recalling how the band once had to “claw for a gig” at Jack of the Wood, then landed at the Grey Eagle, then The Orange Peel. “The grassroots evolution is surreal to me.”

But it works, says Platt, who says “there’s a learning curve for fans to accept that venue as a great music venue. We’re asking them to trust us on the vibe we think we can create there.”

The Rangers teamed up with members of the Asheville Symphony for their concert last year and had Asheville indie rockers River Whyless open. This year they’ve teamed up with the country/folk band Hiss Golden Messenger, fronted by M.C. Taylor. (The Rangers and Taylor share a Chapel Hill connection. The university is where the Rangers met and got their start playing. UNC is also where Taylor studied the folklore that now infuses his songwriting.)

“It’s a cool billing,” says Platt, who continues to steer the Steep Canyon ship toward including more elements of pop, country and folk. That versatility provides the band a strength and versatility that helps power creativity, something Platt’s also been feeling lately.

“Yeah, I’m tracking a tune,” says Platt, who says he usually serves the band in the role of “air traffic controller” while others lead the way on songwriting.

Will we hear that new material on Saturday? Quite possibly.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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