Steep Canyon Rangers 
Mike Guggino - mandolin * Lizzie Hamilton - fiddle * Woody
Platt - guitar * Charles Humphrey - bass * Graham Sharp - banjo
The Steep Canyon Rangers are a young, energetic bluegrass band that
is turning heads from the mountains to the coast of North Carolina.
The band is comprised of musicians from every region of North Carolina.
Three members of the band are originally from the mountains of western
North Carolina. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hamilton is from Fairview.
Woody Platt and Mike Guggino are both from Brevard. Graham Sharp is
originally from Greensboro, NC. Bassist Charles Humphrey hails from
Greenville, NC. The band was started in 1997, where the group met while
attending the University of North Carolina
In the summer of 2001 the Rangers spent three weeks in Colorado sharing
their music with new audiences. This North Carolina band was embraced
by Colorado's bluegrass lovers and the their tour included live studio
performances on KGNU-Boulder CO and KSUT-Four Corners radio stations.
The highlight of the trip was their big win at the Rocky Mountain Bluegrass
Festival band competition. This win earned the band a main stage performance
for "Rockygrass" 2002.
In North Carolina, the Rangers appear regularly at a variety of venues
throughout the Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Asheville areas including The
Cat's Cradle, Jack of the Wood, and The Asheville Music Zone where they
have headlined as well as opened for well-known acts such as Rhonda
Vincent and the Rage, Norman Blake, Peter Rowan, Jimmy Martin, Doc Watson,
IIIrd Tyme Out, and Donna the Buffalo. Their festival history is young
but includes the Camp and Jam Bluegrass Festival in Clinton, TN, the
Brushy Mountain Jamboree in Union Grove, NC, the Eno River Festival
in Durham, NC, and Bluegrass Under the Elm in Carborro, NC.
In Chapel Hill, they helped create "Bluegrass Night" at The
Mellow Mushroom which has grown to become a regular venue and attracts
various bluegrass artists from across the Southeast.
The band's first CD, recorded in Barren County, KY. was produced by
founding member of Newgrass Revival, Curtis Burch, "Old Dreams
and New Dreams" features eleven original compositions as well as
a few bluegrass standards. The album can be heard regularly on WNCW's
"Going Across the Mountain" bluegrass radio show.
Their new CD, "Mr. Taylor's New Home", features solid, exciting
instrumental work and tight vocal harmonies, while reflecting a diversity
of bluegrass styles.
"The Steep Canyon Rangers have got it all--fast as hell
banjo picking, high winsome harmonies and great songs. Treat yourself
to something different." -- Chapel Hill News
"Their blend of traditional tunes and jam flavorings
appeals to Ricky Skaggs fans and Leftover Salmon enthusiasts alike..."
-- Mountain Xpress
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