The hometown boys of Brevard got the sold-out crowd going as the renowned Brevard  Music Center’s season began last week. Steep Canyon Rangers took the stage Tuesday night with style and grace, playing “Easy to Love.”  Strong lead vocals and exquisite harmonies carried through the mountain air at the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium as they did another band favorite, “Tell the Ones I Love.”

Fans were captivated immediately and thrilled to have the locally-based, now-national band back in town.  The place was filled with passionate vibes for these guys and the full  student orchestra, Sinfonia,  backing them.

The night continued with this explosion of talent, intertwining original bluegrass and classic orchestra, creatively giving an alluring edge to the band’s sound. One such grand highlight started as a vigorous drum solo where the rest of the group joined in, each with their own instruments giving a unique percussion sound. The result was a mighty jam like no other, and the crowd loved it.

Throughout  the show  Nicky Sanders entertained with his fabulous fiddling, continually moving and grooving all over the stage.  His feet and enthusiasm never stopped in those infamous tennis shoes. Guitarist Woody Platt joked Sanders must’ve logged 25 miles on his Fitbit tonight.

The new album’s title song, “Out in the Open,” showed more  heart and soul of the group continuing to go forward. Another hit  from this new track was Shenedoah Valley, a “quartet style”  done by the”sextet” to close the night.  Like  true southern gentleman  they stepped  aside giving center stage to the student orchestra one last time for this grand finale to a perfect Carolina night.

—Nancy Hutchins and David Sales