A Different Shade of Blue
An old church stands just a few yards away from Patton Avenue, a main artery of hustle and bustle in downtown Asheville. On the outside one might mistake it to be abandoned or forgotten. Upon entering the nondescript side door, though, the sounds of string instruments and vocals ricochet around Echo Mountain Recording Studios.
“I’ve been a fan of the Steep Canyon Rangers for a long time,” says bluegrass legend Jerry Douglas from behind the helm of the recording console. “Working with them in the studio has been completely different than working with them on stage. It’s been wonderful writing songs together, and taking it all up a couple of notches.”
Douglas produced Radio, the latest Steep Canyon Rangers album, which is aiming for an August 28 release on Rounder Records. Whereas the Rangers are beloved in bluegrass circles, the group is spreading its influence, as evidenced by the permanent addition of percussionist Michael Ashworth. The band’s evolving tone builds bridges into the realms of Americana and rock ‘n’ roll.
“We’re making the best music we can, making this sound fit the lyrics, and not trying to shoehorn anything,” says Rangers banjoist Graham Sharp. “If it’s not comfortable we’re not going to pursue it. If it’s not a rock ‘n’ roll song, we won’t make it a rock ‘n’ roll song. If it’s not a bluegrass song, we won’t make it into one.”
Sharp’s statement epitomizes what the Rangers are all about—a moving target within the bluegrass world. Coming into their 14th year together, the sextet has seen a slow burn of success in string music. A philosophy of experimentation has always kept one foot firmly planted in bluegrass tradition, the other in the endless possibilities of melody.
“We’re not scared of bluegrass—we love bluegrass. That’s where we came from and that’s who we are ultimately, but with a percussionist it’ll sound a little different, a little more Americana,” says Rangers guitarist Woody Platt. “And this will give us a chance to stretch out, and hopefully gain fans in new and different areas.”