Steep Canyon Rangers Share Track-By-Track Stories of ‘Out in the Open’ Album
The Steep Canyon Rangers are set to release their 10th studio album, Out in the Open, on Friday (Jan. 26). The album was recorded in three and a half days at Fidelitorium Recordings, an intimate studio owned and operated by legendary producer Mitch Easter.
For Out in the Open, the Steep Canyon Rangers -- the Grammy Awards-winning bluegrass band from North Carolina -- worked with producer Joe Henry, along with engineer and mixer Jason Richmond, to create what the band considers to be their "bravest excursion thus far." The disc's 12 songs blend bluegrass with pop, folk and jazz influences, while still capturing the traditional sound in its truest form.
Ahead of Out in the Open's release, the Rangers -- guitarist Woody Platt, banjo player Graham Sharp, bassist Barrett Smith, mandolin player Mike Guggino, fiddler Nicky Sanders and Mike Ashworth on the box kit -- shared with The Boot the track-by-track stories of inspiration and meanings behind each of their new songs. Click through the photo gallery below to hear their thoughts, in their own words.