The mountains are greening up in the spring sunshine, shedding winter’s remnants to greet the verdant season. The Appalachian Mountains were home this long weekend to the 25th annual MerleFest which takes place in Wilkesboro, NC. I have fond memories of visiting this venerable Americana music festival nestled among the hills. It serves to shine a light on the fine music and crafts that have been produced by this often misunderstood area of the country, as it is more often known for its poverty than its rich contributions in art and innovation. Of course you know one of the great joys in my life is to go WIKI diving, and here is a start, and another.

Here is a band that hails from Brevard, NC that keeps the modern bluegrass candle burning bright. The Steep Canyon Rangers have been kicking some serious ass of late. In March 2011, the band collaborated with Steve Martin on the album ”Rare Bird Alert” which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Chart. Sir Paul McCartney even lent his voice to the song “Best Love.” SCR have been headlining festivals like MerleFest and Bonnaroo alongside Steve Martin, but the Rangers continue to perform alone as a quintet, too, on the stages of Telluride, RockyGrass, and A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. The Steep Canyon Rangers were on this year’s stellar roster for MerleFest. Hey, let’s all make plans to attend next year! For those of us who didn’t make it this year, at least we have a video from the new album Nobody Knows You. Here is “Long Shot.”

- Jessie Scott