Biography

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Now meet the band…BALSAM RANGE. To encapsulate, Tim Surrett delivers entertaining MC work as well as seasoned lead and harmony singing. Tim also plays bass most of the time, and he will occasionally move his talents to the resonator guitar. His presentations are spontaneous, polished and professional. Buddy Melton is one of the most gifted tenor voices in bluegrass and Americana today. His range and tones largely give BALSAM RANGE its identifying sound, and his stellar fiddle playing supports the band’s programs equally. Caleb Smith has been called “one of the top young guns of guitar.” His envied unique guitar style pairs perfectly with his energetic power singing. Caleb also delivers ballads with a perfectly toned, believable tenderness. Darren Nicholson is one of the most gifted mandolins players and harmony singers ever to come from the Southern Mountains. Darren’s studied, energetic performances rival those of the classic old guard performers, and his enthusiasm for American heritage music styles has no bounds. Marc Pruett plays traditional three finger banjo in intuitive and powerful ways that blend and compliment the influences in the band of jazz and bluegrass…country and gospel…and swing and old-time. Marc adds a credible entertainment experience of over 40 years to this fresh, unique Southern band…BALSAM RANGE.

Now that you have this introduction, join in the musical fun with BALSAM RANGE by hanging out here in their corner of the e-universe. Even better, come out sometime and share an enjoyable evening of fabulous American acoustic music with these five men…BALSAM RANGE.



Endorsements
Balsam Range proudly endorses GHS Strings and Sennheiser.
MusiciansBelt.com

Accolades
7 National #1 Songs. Including: “Last Train To Kitty Hawk”, “Caney Fork River”, “Trains I Missed”, “Gonna Be Movin”, “Row By Row”, “Could Do You Some Good”, & “Any Old Road”.
“Papertown” album #2 in “PopMatters Best of Bluegrass 2012”. (10)Ricky Skaggs(9)Lou Reid(8)Boxcars(7)Grascals(6)Town Mountain(5)Trampled By Turtles(4)Bill Evans(3)Steep Canyon Rangers(2)Balsam Range(1)Punch Brothers
“Papertown” album #2 in CMT Edge 10 Favorite Americana Albums of 2012. (1)The Avett Brothers(2)Balsam Range(3)Liam Fitzgerald & the Rainieros(4)Jason Isbell(5)Wanda Jackson(6)Old Man Luedecke(7)Bonnie Raitt(8)Bill Staines(9)Turnpike Troubadours(10)Various Artists,Foggy Mountain Special: A Bluegrass Tribute to Earl Scruggs
Part of the 2012 Zac Brown Band Southern Ground Music Festival lineup. (www.zacbrownband.com). We have recently finished a collaborative album with John Driskell Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band, featuring special guests, Zac Brown, and Joey+Rory
2013 Album of the Year WINNER, "Papertown"
2011 IBMA Song of the Year WINNER, “Trains I Missed”
2011 IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year nominee
2011 IBMA Album of the Year nominee, Trains I Missed
2010 IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year nominee
WNCW, the #1 flagship bluegrass station, voted Trains I Missed as #1 on their Top 50 Bluegrass CDs of 2010, and #5 on their top 100 overall from any genre (ahead of Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Robert Plant
First band to play at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC.
Voted Best Old-Time/Bluegrass Band of 2012 in Asheville’s Mountain Xpress Newspaper.
Balsam Range was presented the “keys to the city” in Canton, NC where we were honored with an official declaration of “Balsam Range Day” in their home county for their positive contributions to our community.
We’re proud to say, since the start of Balsam Range, that we’ve raised over a half-million dollars for various regional and national charities.