A bluegrass band at their core, the Steep Canyon Rangers effortlessly walk the line between festival favorite and sophisticated string orchestra. They’re as danceable as the most progressive, party-oriented string band, and equally comfortable translating their songs for accompaniment by a full symphony.
It’s that mix of serious chops and good-natured fun that earned the Steep Canyon Rangers the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album Grammy in 2013 (for Nobody Knows You), and that drew celebrated comedian/banjoist Steve Martin to them when he needed a backing band. The Rangers are world-class musicians who are just as at home taking the stage at Carnegie Hall as they are knee- deep in a mountain brook, fly rod in hand.
The Wildman Family Band features the talents of Eli and Aila Wildman, ages 14 and 12, on mandolin and fiddle playing traditional bluegrass with a focus on progressive instrumental leads and strong vocals. The pair began their bluegrass careers early as part of Floyd Music School’s “The Blackberries”, playing events throughout the region of Southwestern Virginia since 2011. Mom, Deb Wildman holds down the beat with the bass, and we welcome the guitar skills of Hunter Crawford to round out the group with a fine bluegrass sound.
