By Brighton McConnell
The original members met and created the band while attending UNC-Chapel Hill. Following the release of their first album, “Old Dreams and New Dreams” in 2001, the Steep Canyon Rangers have made seven more albums, with “Nobody Knows You” released in last March. They have previously collaborated with actor and comedian Steve Martin on one album, and have gone on tour with him, including playing at the Mountain Song Folk Music Festival for the past several years.
The band consists of bassist Charles Humphrey III, fiddler Nicky Sanders, mandolin player Mike Guggino, banjo player Graham Sharp, and guitarist Woody Platt. Though based in Greensboro, North Carolina, three of the band members live in the western part of the state. Platt was actually raised in Brevard, and began his singing career in a boys choir in the area.
The Steep Canyon Rangers have an upcoming tour through the U.S., beginning in March in Atlanta.