The Westbound Rangers

The Westbound Rangers met as students attending Belmont University, but most of their education occurred outside the lecture halls and labs, when the four musicians studied their own version of “string theory” in dorm room jam sessions. In the five years since, the acoustic quartet—Graham Sherrill, Mike Walker, Read Davis, and Wes Burkhart—has evolved from a recreational string band to one of the most exciting up-and-coming acts on the roots music scene. With the June 14 release of their third album, Gone for Way Too Long, the band stands poised to have a breakout year. Recorded at John Prine’s Butcher Shoppe studio in Nashville, Gone for Way Too Long is a vibrant collection of well-written original songs and several traditional tunes, all played with the unbridled energy of the band’s live shows. The band draws from what mandolin player Mike Walker describes as a “spectrum of sounds and styles,” ranging from old time to country to rock and roll. While the record, full of infectious tracks like “Gone For Way Too Long” and “Drinkin’ Man”—featuring guests Tim O’Brien and the Del McCoury Band’s Jason Carter, respectively—is rooted in the scrappy string band sound popularized by modern throwbacks Old Crow Medicine Show, The Avett Brothers, and Trampled By Turtles, the Rangers’ musical versatility enables them to genre-hop with ease: songs like “One of These Days,” a rueful midtempo track laced with gorgeous pedal steel (courtesy of guest musician Jonathan Cullifer), would feel at home in the middle of an alt-country playlist. Sherrill and Walker, the band’s primary songwriters, are at the top of their game, penning the wryly funny, off-kilter love song “Eat Crow” and portraying raw heartbreak with gut-wrenching accuracy on the ballad “Just Friends,” which features Tammy Rogers King of Grammy-nominated bluegrass band The SteelDrivers. Sherrill, an old-time banjo player, delivers an excellent version of “Handsome Molly,” a standard that’s been recorded by everyone from the Stanley Brothers to Mick Jagger. “Hesitate” has been a fan favorite at live shows for some time now, and “Rise When the Rooster Crows,” the first song ever recorded in Nashville, has also become a set list staple. “Playing traditional songs live allows us to help preserve a piece of music history by bringing it to a contemporary audience,” explains Read Davis, the band’s guitarist. “But it’s also important to us that we put our own spin on those songs.” The Westbound Rangers are no longer the college kids who honed their skills opening for local indie-rock bands; now they’re touring veterans and favorites on the festival circuit, where they’ve built an enthusiastic, rapidly growing fan base. Though their album may be titled Gone for Way Too Long, it’s clear that this band has serious staying power. Their new album, “Southern Bread & Butter For It,” was self produced in Nashville and highlights the diversity that defines the Westbound Rangers. 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 and strikes a perfect balance between a polished studio sound and an effortless front-porch jam. Over the past four years, this charismatic band has entertained packed houses and festivals throughout America with their energetic performances. By utilizing the time honored ‘single microphone’ technique and augmenting their sets with lively comedic stage banter, a Westbound Rangers show is a throwback to days gone by. Skillful at holding an audience’s attention, these boys 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 such a devoted following. The new record, "Gone for Way Too Long" is officially released!!! Check it out on Itunes, CDBaby, westboundrangers.com and other outlets!!!