Steep Canyon Rangers News

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009 2:40 p.m. You can start your weekend off tonight with some clever crafts at the Christmas Made in the South Show at the James Brown Arena, or with some bluegrass and Americana music with the Steep Canyon Rangers at the Imperial Theatre.

The past 11 months have been eventful ones for Asheville-based bluegrass traditionalists Steep Canyon Rangers, and mid-November found the hard-traveling Rangers' latest album, "Deep in the Shade," at No.

The bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers has gone from playing at Still Water Tap Room on Broad Street four years ago to performing in Carnegie Hall, Ryman Auditorium and the Kennedy Center.

"This is so exciting!" exclaims Steve Martin at the close of tonight's first number, "Hoedown at Alice's", a brief, bright bluegrass tune.

Almost all the musicians in the Songs from the Road Band are full-time members of other well-known touring groups.

From John McEnroe and Jamie Oliver to Scarlett Johannson and, er, Katie Price, celebs masquerading as serious musicians are usually best observed through trembling fingers from behind a sofa.

Thanks to Sharon Loughrin and to Denis Patrick for separately sending the news that Steve Martin will appear on the 'Later... with Jools Holland' show on BBC2 TV tonight and Friday night, backed by the Steep Canyon Rangers from North Carolina, who made a big impact at the Omagh festival a couple of years ago.

When the Steep Canyon Rangers tell stories to their future grandchildren, they'll probably start spinning yarns with, "Back in October 2009 ..." The bluegrass band started out the month with the IBMA Awards at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, followed by an after-hours gig at the Station Inn with Steve Martin .

Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin will serve as co-hosts of the 82nd Academy Awards, Oscar telecast producers Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman announced today.

Steve Martin is currently touring with Asheville, N.C., band the Steep Canyon Rangers to promote his bluegrass CD, "The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo." All but one of the CD's songs were written by Martin.

Sometimes timing is key. For the Steep Canyon Rangers, synchronicity has repeatedly and often uncannily played a major role.

'Wild and Crazy Guy' Steve Martin will bring his brand of banjo bluegrass to the Watson Stage during MerleFest 2010, playing alongside touring partner and bluegrass juggernaut Steep Canyon Rangers on Saturday night.

Elvis Costello will perform at MerleFest 2010, a major music event taking place April 29-May 2 in Wilkesboro, N.C. Several musicians with roots in North Carolina are part of the roster, including the Avett Brothers , Jim Lauderdale , Tony Rice , Steep Canyon Rangers and festival founder Doc Watson .

That Steve Martin, he's a wild and crazy ... banjo picker. Who knew? Thursday night at the Cadillac Palace, Martin took the stage, banjo in hand and in the company of a five-member bluegrass band from North Carolina.

Steve Martin understands that the path has been made difficult for movie stars who would moonlight as musicians.

"I think I know the kind of thing you're talking about," he says. "What they really want to be is a rock star rather than a rock musician." He's too gracious to name names , but plenty a mediocre band has found itself thrust before audiences it hasn't earned thanks to a celebrity frontman .

The Avett Brothers, Elvis Costello, the Steep Canyon Rangers and Little Feat are among the acts booked at the 2010 Merlefest music festival in Wilkesboro, organizers have announced.

Bluegrass Jamboree is the name attached to a two-week road show in Germany set for December.

A A By GREG HAYMES A A Special to the Times Union A A TROY - Yes, in case there was any doubt, Steve Martin can play the banjo.

Much has been made of the fact that Steve Martin is currently on his very first music tour playing the banjo on the road, after 40-plus years as a successful touring comedian, actor and screenwriter, playwright and novelist.