Steep Canyon Rangers will mark their 10th Anniversary tomorrow evening (1/21) with a special concert at the Orange Peel Social Aid & Pleasure Club near their home in Asheville, NC. Joining them in celebrating this milestone will be artists from two opposite ends of the bluegrass spectrum: first generation pioneer Curly Seckler and jam grass hero Larry Keel.
In advance of tomorrow’s concert, the Rangers will visit the studios of WNCW today at 3:00 p.m. to perform live on the air. You can catch that segment via live streaming at www.wncw.org.
2011 will be a big year for the Rangers, touring with Steve Martin in support of their collaborative project, Rare Bird Alert, due out on March 15. As we have mentioned before, a free download of the title track is available online from either the Steve Martin or Steep Canyon Rangers web site.
We spoke earlier this week with Rangers banjo picker Graham Sharp, and asked for his perspective on hitting the big 1-0…
“For a band that began as nothing more than hanging out, trying to learn the music together, with no thought of performing or certainly never having thought about ‘going pro,’ I suppose the most vital factor in our band’s longevity is that we’re still having fun and still growing. Having five individuals to share the responsibilities, giving everyone ownership and knowing each others strengths has kept the whole thing running. Now that we (sort of) feel established, I think, gives us confidence to keep following our own path and see where it leads.
Thanks to all the friends we’ve made over the last 10 years; we have no plans for slowing down.”
Congratulations to Steep Canyon Rangers – may there be ten more, and ten more after that!
UPDATE 1/21: Curly Seckler cancellation
Curly Seckler will not be able to appear on the Steep Canyon Rangers’ 10th Anniversary show at the Orange Peel in Asheville tonight (Friday, January 21).
Seckler’s manager, Penny Parsons explains …
“Curly had an adverse reaction to some new medication and was advised not to make the trip to Asheville. He deeply regrets having to miss celebrating with his good friends the Rangers, and sends his best wishes to them and to those attending the show.”
We understand that the Steep Canyon Rangers plan to dedicate a portion of the show to Seckler and will perform several of the songs they had been scheduled to sing together.
We wish him a speedy return to good health.
