THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS JOIN ICONIC COMEDIAN, ON HIS SOPHMORE RECORDING, 'RARE BIRD ALERT'

Available March 15;
Produced by Tony Trischka,

Recorded and Mixed by Grammy Winner Gary Paczosa

Features Special
Guests Paul McCartney and the Dixie Chicks

Martin and the Steep
Canyon Rangers Will Bring Bluegrass to Mainstream Audiences with a

Sold-out Tour and
Appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman,

The View and The
Colbert Report This Month

Nashville,
Tenn. – The Steep Canyon Rangers (SCR), have joined iconic comedian, Steve
Martin on his
sophomore album entitled Rare Bird Alert to be released
TODAY, March 15, 2011. Bringing bluegrass music to
new audiences, SCR continue their meteoric rise as passionate ambassadors for
the bluegrass music they love. With Martin, SCR played for more people than any
other bluegrass band in 2010.  This year will be even bigger, as the group
prepares a nationwide tour with Martin to support their collaborative
project.  The Rare Bird Tour will kick off in New York
City with three sold-out performances at the famed Joe’s Pub March 15-17 as well
as a return appearances to the Late Show
with David Letterman on March 16 and The View on March 17.

When Martin, an accomplished
banjo player and songwriter, handpicked SCR to tour and record with him last
year, they jumped at the chance.  “Serendipity has made a better match than any
bluegrass computer dating service,” jokes Martin. With Rare Bird
Alert, Martin
and Steep Canyon Rangers have created an album filled with the traditional
bluegrass sound, bursting at the seams with banjo, fiddle and lyrics that are
both fun and reflective.

The title track “Rare Bird
Alert” perfectly scores the lonely ache and melancholy of bird watching. Paul
McCartney guests on “Best Love” a foot-stomper about love and the little
things.  On “Go Away, Stop, Turn Around, Come Back” SCR’s lead singer, Woody
Platt, tells the story of love, breakup and reunion while “Jubilation Day”
bounces with the delight and renewed vigor that can come from a breakup. The
Dixie Chicks lend their considerable talent to “You” the saddest un-sad song
about a past love with no regret. The closing tracks on the record showcase
Martin’s comedy roots.  On “Atheists Don’t Have No Songs” Martin and SCR create
a gospel song for those without one while “King Tut” allows Steep Canyon Rangers
to put their bluegrass-spin on an old Martin favorite.

After a year jam-packed with
tour dates, including Carnegie Hall, and headlining festivals such as Bonnaroo,
Merlefest, New Orleans Jazzfest, Newport Folk Festival, Martin helped SCR
introduce bluegrass to millions of who may have been hearing it for the first
time and SCR show no sign of stopping. For more information, please visit
www.steepcanyon.com.