About the Westbound Rangers
Photo credit: Mary Lindsay
Though Nashville has always been recognized for its country music legacy, musicians of other genres who call the city home have found success in recent years, raising awareness to the fact that Nashville offers much more than the commercialized country music typically broadcast across America. The critical acclaim that has followed has redefined Nashville as a musical melting pot that fosters a thriving music scene which often times transcends the boundaries of genre classification. Epitomizing this “new” breed of Nashville musicians is talented group known as the Westbound Rangers.
Over the past two years, the charismatic Westbound Rangers have brought their energetic and infectiously entertaining shows to packed houses and festivals throughout America. Utilizing the time honored technique of performing around one microphone and by augmenting their sets with lively and comedic stage banter, the Westbound Rangers’ live performances are a throwback to yesteryear. Skillful at holding an audience’s attention, they are as likely to win over a college frat party as they would a women’s club meeting. It’s this commitment to showmanship that has helped them build a devoted following.
An innocent observer might initially mistake this young quartet as a bluegrass band or ‘old-timey’ band due to their instrumentation being comprised of banjo, mandolin, guitar and doghouse bass. However; while they are steeped in both of these traditions, the Rangers’ unique blend of roots music draws just as heavily from rock and country musical influences and their original material – showcasing strong three part harmony vocals and solid musicianship – spans the breadth of American music styles, incorporating contemporary ballads, novelty numbers and rollicking banjo tunes. By tastefully championing such a broad repertoire, they are a band capable of satisfying even the most finicky of music fans.
Their new album, “Southern Bread & Butter For It,” was self produced in Nashville and highlights the diversity which makes the Westbound Rangers unique. Eleven songs in length, it is their first studio album and includes a crowd-favorite ditty about coffee (“Pushwater,”) a tribute to a civil war hero (“Stonewall,”) heartfelt ballads (“Time” and “Wanna Call You Mine”) and interpretations of traditional fiddle tunes (“Big Scioty” and “Old Yeller Dog.”) Featuring the occasional steel guitar, harmonica, drums and fiddle, “Southern Bread & Butter For It” is a well rounded effort, striking the balance between a polished studio sound and an effortless front-porch jam.
