This bluegrass band has a guide to Asheville you don’t want to miss – Daily Advertiser

The Grammy-winning bluegrass band The Steep Canyon Rangers (from left to right, Mike Ashworth, Nicky Sanders, Mike Guggino, Woody Platt, Barrett Smith, Graham Sharp) call Asheville, N.C., home. (Courtesy Steep Canyon Rangers)(Photo: David J. Simchock)

The Grammy-winning bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers began playing together as students at University of North Carolina. Since 2009, they have worked with comedian and banjo player Steve Martin. They've put out two albums with Martin while also recordingtheir own. "Be Still Moses," recorded with the Asheville Symphony, is the band's latest release.

The Steep Canyon Rangers call Asheville, N.C., home. The group's banjo player, Graham Sharp, talked to The American South about where he goes in Asheville when he's not on the road:

Situated along the railroad tracks in the River Arts District, Wedge Brewing Company is located in the bottom level of Wedge Studios, a haven for artistic types.(Photo: Anne Roderique-Jones)

Asheville is absolutely covered up with breweries. It's kind of the Milwaukee of the South, I guess. There's enough breweries that they're pretty varied. When my kids were younger, we used to love this place called The Wedge Brewery, which is right by the train tracks. They'd set the kids up with a bucket of peanuts. The kids could sit out there and watch the trains go by while the adults could relax.

37 Paynes Way, 828.505.2792

Challenge your taste buds at Wicked Weed's tap room.(Photo: Wicked Weed Brewing)

They've done really well. It's so cool, because one of the guys who started and owns it had a gutter cleaning service and he used to come clean my gutters. They make all these weird sour beers. They're constantly unveiling new stuff. I don't think it's for everybody, but if you're into those then it's gotta be about the best place on earth.

91 Biltmore Ave., 828.575.9599

Nine Mile in West Asheville.(Photo: Angela Wilhelm/awilhelm@citizen-times.com)

It fits with the sort of the hippie vibe of Asheville. It's kind of Jamaican, but it covers a lot of ground. I get the Soul Rebel, which is salmon with a curry and a chutney. The owner's son runs on the cross country team with my son. These are people, like the guy at Wicked Weed, that you see around town, and I try to support them.

233 Montford Ave., 828.505.3121; 751 Haywood Road, 828.575.9903; 33 Town Square Blvd., 828.676.1807

Tastee Diner on Haywood Road in West Asheville offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.(Photo: Angela Wilhelm, /awilhelm@citizen-times.com)

It has really simple diner food, but you can also get a bourbon milkshake if you want it. It's a breakfast all-day place. Or if I want to meet up with somebody, sit down and have a good working man's cup of coffee.

575 Haywood Road, 828.412.5566

Getting' down at the Double Crown. The West Asheville music hall and New Orleans-themed bar celebrates its first birthday this weekend.(Photo: Steve Mann, Asheville Scene)

It's like the world's best dive bar. They'll have gospel night once a month with music in a style from the upstate of South Carolina and North Carolina. These gospel groups come in and rock this dive bar. On Wednesdays, you can go in and hear these cats playing this unbelievable honky tonk music. The whole place is up dancing and two-stepping.

375 Haywood Road, 828.412.5491

To learn more about Steep Canyon Rangers and their upcoming shows, visit http://www.steepcanyon.com.

News tips? Story ideas? Questions? Call reporter Todd Price at 504-421-1542 or email him at taprice@gannett.com.

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This bluegrass band has a guide to Asheville you don't want to miss - Daily Advertiser