But more importantly, the band seems to have managed to put their sound over with the fans, and this indicates that bluegrass has managed to escape the trap of being a niche market that is hostile to innovation. It bodes well for the acceptance of new groups into the bluegrass culture while still preserving the ineffable drive and rhythm that makes bluegrass what it is. Other bands like The Infamous Stringdusters, Nickel Creek, and Crooked Still (not to mention Old Crow Medicine Show) have ventured away from the "true vine" bluegrass sound, but The SteelDrivers seem to have actually expanded the boundaries of what is still considered "real bluegrass" — no mean feat.
The SteelDrivers have provided a sound that is not really a fusion of Delta blues into bluegrass so much as an illustration — mainly from Stapleton's vocals — that the influence has always been there. Had a different, high-tenor done the vocals, this probably would have been a good but middle-of-the-road bluegrass record. With Stapleton doing the singing, it has a burning vitality that makes it really stand out.
Article comments
1 - R.B.
Gary Nichols named SteelDrivers' new singer
Friday, April 2, 2010 â€" Gary Nichols, a soulful singer from Alabama, is the new lead singer for The SteelDrivers. Nichols replaces Chris Stapleton, who left the driving bluegrass band to concentrate on family andsongwriting.
"The SteelDrivers are very happy to announce that multi-talented Muscle Shoals session pro, songwriter and guitar picker Gary Nichols is joining the band. He brings a seasoned soulful voice to the mix, and rehearsals have been going very smoothly."
"The first night we met Gary he had driven up to Nashville to audition and had been asked to learn four of our songs. He sat down, had a shot of brown, and launched into Blue Side of the Mountain. Around the room, eyebrows raised and sly glances were exchanged. By the time the harmonies blended for the first chorus, we all knew he had the gig. He then ripped off the other three songs with ease, sang a couple more of ours that had caught his ear and proceeded to teach us a couple of his. After he left, the vote was unanimous. Folks, we are thrilled to have Gary with us and it feels like we are picking up right where we left off. Gary is a guy who brings it from down deep, and you'll feel it like we did when you hear him. So, all is well. The torch has been passed. The music lives on, and we'll see you there."
Nichols was signed to the Universal label in 2004 and has releases songs, but never put out a full-length CD. His first single, Unbroken Ground, reached 39 on the charts in 2007. he had two more singles and left the label.