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Steep Canyon Rangers: It's hardly news that Asheville-based Steep Canyon Rangers is a world-class bluegrass band. They've been local stars for years, and they've been steadily increasing their fan base thanks to their Mountain Song at Sea bluegrass cruise. And their affiliation with a certain banjo-playing actor/comedian. In fact, it was with Steve Martin that the Rangers won a Grammy last year, for the 2011 collaboration Rare Bird Alert. In 2012, the Rangers released Nobody Knows You, which they recorded at Asheville's Echo Mountain Studios. That album did not include contributions from Martin, but no matter — the word was out about the Rangers' picking prowess. They took top honors (over bluegrass competition Dailey & Vincent, The Grascals, Noam Pikelny and Special Consensus) at the 55th Grammy Awards Ceremony. Steep Canyon Rangers play Merlefest on April 26.

Sanctum Sully: The self-described “traditionally untraditional” group was selected as a finalist for Mountain Song At Sea’s “Battle for the Boat” competition. The music festival/cruise took place in early February and was hosted by Steep Canyon Rangers. Sanctum Sully also just announced that it will play FloydFest this July, as one of the “On The Rise” acts. Sanctum Sully & Big Daddy Love play the Altamont on Saturday, March 30.

Town Mountain: The news section of Town Mountain’s website requires some serious scrolling. There’s just so much happening for the quintet (the least of which is not the release of last fall’s Leave the Bottle). In 2012, the band played the Rootsinpythaa Bluegrass and Roots Festival in Finland, was included on Putumayo’s Bluegrass compilation and was featured on the PBS special, “Jammin’ at Hippie Jacks” Americana music series. Town Mountain plays the Grey Eagle on Friday, March 29, with Foghorn Stringband and Bradford Lee Folk & The Bluegrass Playboys.
— A.M.

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