As the co-founder and former lead singer/frontman/guitarist with the Grammy-Award winning Steep Canyon Rangers, as well as a musical collaborator with comedian/actor/banjoist Steve Martin, Woody Platt is an artist who has helped to define the trajectory of bluegrass music in the 21st century.
Today, Platt releases the debut single from his upcoming solo project—his first stepping away from the Rangers. The track is a collaboration with Del McCoury on the Blind Willie McTell classic, “Broke Down Engine" and it was premiered this week by Bluegrass Today.
According to Platt, the collaboration was a dream come true and was years in the making. Platt was still in college when he traveled across the country to a bluegrass festival in Colorado to see Del McCoury. Many years later, with Steep Canyon Rangers, he had the opportunity to share the stage with his hero at the iconic Ryman Auditorium. Platt says: “What an honor to record 'Broke Down Engine' with a legend like Del McCoury. This ride has literally taken me from the ground floor to dream come true.”
The new single features McCoury and Platt sharing lead vocals, accompanied by a top-flight band that includes Bryan Sutton (guitar), Barry Bales (bass), Daren Shumaker (mandolin), and Bennett Sullivan (banjo).
The new album (title TBA) is slated for release in spring 2024 on Compass Records.
