Woody Platt: The Bluegrass Voice of Steep Canyon Rangers

Woody Platt is an American singer, guitarist, and founding member of the Grammy Award-winning bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers. Hailing from Brevard, North Carolina, Platt has been instrumental in guiding the band from its college jam band roots to becoming a major force in modern acoustic music, celebrated for their intricate harmonies and dynamic live performances.

Early career

Woody Platt co-founded Steep Canyon Rangers in 2000 while attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alongside mandolinist Mike Guggino and banjo player Charles R. Humphrey III. The band's initial sound blended traditional bluegrass with a fresh, collaborative energy, leading to their self-titled independent debut album in 2001. Their early years were defined by relentless touring on the national bluegrass circuit, building a dedicated grassroots following.

Breakthrough

The band's major breakthrough arrived in 2012 following their high-profile collaboration with comedian and banjo enthusiast Steve Martin. Their joint album, Rare Bird Alert, released in 2011 on Rounder Records, catapulted them to a wider audience. This partnership culminated in winning the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album for their subsequent studio effort, Nobody Knows You, cementing their status as genre leaders.

Key tracks

Stand and Deliver — This driving track from the Grammy-winning album Nobody Knows You showcases the band's potent songwriting and tight ensemble playing.

Auden's Train — A poignant ballad highlighting Platt's clear, emotive lead vocals and the band's sophisticated harmonic blend.

Be Still Moses — A standout from the Rare Bird Alert collaboration, featuring Steve Martin and showcasing the band's ability to complement a legendary performer.

Radio — An earlier fan favorite that exemplifies the Rangers' energetic, genre-forward approach to contemporary bluegrass.

The band continued its prolific output, releasing acclaimed albums like Radio in 2015 and Out in the Open in 2018, the latter produced by Joe Henry. In 2022, Woody Platt also released a solo album, Hometown, exploring a more personal singer-songwriter direction while still rooted in acoustic traditions.

Fans of Woody Platt's clean guitar work and vocal style in Steep Canyon Rangers often appreciate the music of The Infamous Stringdusters. This Grammy-winning band similarly pushes bluegrass into progressive territories. The harmony-rich sound also connects to Nickel Creek, another group known for revitalizing acoustic music for new generations. Listeners may also enjoy the songcraft of Yonder Mountain String Band for their jam-band influenced bluegrass energy. The traditional foundation is shared with legends like Del McCoury Band, known for their impeccable classic bluegrass sound.

Woody Platt's music with Steep Canyon Rangers maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on Americana and roots music formats, independent music radio stations, and dedicated bluegrass programs. Their Grammy-winning pedigree and consistent album releases ensure they are a staple in the playlists of stations championing acoustic excellence.

The music of Woody Platt and Steep Canyon Rangers can be heard across a variety of radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover their extensive catalog, from early independent releases to Grammy-winning albums, by tuning into the bluegrass and Americana stations available on onairium.com.