Appalachian Fire

************************************************************ **** Appalachian Fire featuring Ranee SteppIn the fall of 2005 band leader, Dwayne “Doc” Durham, decided that it was time to get back into bluegrass music. Having played actively after finishing high school in the seventies, he soon found himself heavily involved with building a career in the sports medicine field. Jamming off and on with various groups was no longer enough to fulfill the need. Hence the Piney Mountain Band was born. Being comprised of mostly friends that shared the same passion and similar musical journeys, the group intended to play mainly for fun, doing small church and civic gigs. One of the real surprises in the group was a 24 year old phenomenal vocalist named Ranee Stepp. Ranee, affectionately dubbed the “Golden Voice of Bluegrass” soon became the centerpiece for a band that quickly won the attention and the hearts of audiences in Western North Carolina. One of the highlights of the first two years included performing on stage at Shindig on the Green (Western North Carolinas longest running performance jam). The group also became the Tuesday night house band in the winter of 2007 for Asheville premier BBQ and bluegrass restaurant, The Fiddlin’ Pig. The band was also honored to open for Lee Greenwood and share the stage with Grammy award winner Mark Pruett and his all-star band Balsam Range. In the spring of 2008 Ranee Stepp began recording her first solo CD using musicians from the band as well as some of the finest musicians in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The final product “Ranee Stepp in fields of Grass so Blue” was released in September of 2008. Realizing the potential of this young singer and her desire to make a career of this music, Doc decided to revamp the band. With Ranee on lead vocals, himself on guitar and Cliff Searcy on mandolin, they added Dave Ploss, a banjo player who had once played with Jay Geiles . Next was the addition the solid bass playing of Jim Fox and the great fiddle work of Karen Kuykendall. Thus Appalachian Fire was born.Their song selections range from covering the contemporary sounds of the Cherryholmes and Rhonda Vincent to classics like “Rolling in my Sweet Baby’s Arms” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky”. They also perform a number of original tunes written by the members of the band. And of course, there are rousing instrumentals like “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” and “Salt Creek”. No bluegrass show would be complete without honoring the gospel tradition with songs like “I’ll Fly Away” , “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” and “Over in the Gloryland.” Mix in some wholesome humor, and there is bound to be something for everyone.This group continues to cling to the attributes that brought them loyal fans.... Professionalism...... from the way they dress on stage, their first quality equipment, promptness, web site access, membership in professional organizations and a desire to give folks their money’s worth...... Rapport ...... Appalachian Fire realizes the importance to connecting with audiences with funny stories and audience participation as well as first class musicianship....... Integrity...... This band unabashedly embraces its mountain and Christian heritage, and is committed to bring honor two both. ..
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