Steep Canyon Rangers, The

STEEP CANYON RANGERS

  • From western North Carolina (Asheville).
  • Their name came from a Colorado beer called “Steep Canyon Stout.”
  • Formed in 1998 by Lizzie Hamilton (fiddle), Woody Platt (guitar), Mike Guggino (mandolin), Charles Humphrey III (bass) and Graham Sharp (banjo). They were students attending the University of North Carolina.
  • Got their start playing at the Mellow Mushroom, a pizza parlor in downtown Chapel Hill, NC.
  • 2001, won the band competition at Rockygrass in Colorado.
  • 2002, Lizzie Hamilton left the band.
  • 2003, released first self-titled album for Rebel Records, Steep Canyon Rangers.
  • 2004, fiddler Nicky Sanders replaced Hamilton.
  • 2005, released One Dime at a Time album (Rebel).
  • 2006, won IBMA award for Emerging Artist of the Year.
  • 2007, released Lovin’ Pretty Women album (Rebel).
  • Since 2009, they have been touring and recording with Steve Martin.
  • 2009, released Deep in the Shade album (Rebel).
  • 2011, appeared on Rare Bird Alert album (Rounder) with Steve Martin.
  • 2012, released Nobody Knows You album (Rounder).
  • 2013, won the Grammy in the Bluegrass category for Nobody Knows You album (Rounder).
  • 2013, appeared on Love Has Come For You album (Rounder) by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.
  • 2013, hosted the IBMA Awards Show in Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • 2013, released Tell The Ones I Love album (Rounder).
  • 2014, appeared on Steve Martin And The Steep Canyon Rangers Featuring Edie Brickell Live album (CD/DVD Combo) (Rounder).
  • 2015, released Radio album (Rounder).
  • 2017, were inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
  • 2017, released (with Steve Martin) The Long Awaited Album (Rounder).
  • 2018, bass player Charles Humphrey III left the band and was replaced by Barrett Smith, a long-time friend of the band who also attended UNC. They also added a full-time percussionist, Mike Ashworth.
  • 2018, made their first solo appearance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
  • 2022, Woody Platt (guitar) retired from the band. He was replaced by North Carolina singer/songwriter Aaron Burdett.