The Steeldrivers (L-R) Richard Bailey, Tammy Rogers, Chris Stapleton, Mike Fleming and Mike Henderson.

Nashville, Tenn. — It continues to be an amazing year for Nashville’s homegrown, uptown bluegrassers The SteelDrivers. Online retailer iTunes named the group the number one seller in 2008 in the Americana/Bluegrass Album category for their self-titled debut – beating out number two Alison Krauss and Robert Plant’s ‘Raising Sand’.

The SteelDrivers’ were also recently nominated for a Grammy^® for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group along with country superstars Rascal Flatts, Brooks ‘n Dunn, Sugarland and Lady Antebellum. Produced by Luke Wooten (Alison Krauss, Jim Lauderdale and Dierks Bentley), the release has received a mountain of critical acclaim, including previous nominations from the Americana Music Association and the International Bluegrass Music Association.

The five piece group is highly regarded behind the scenes as songsmiths and session players – with innumerable hits, cuts and licks to their credit – this batch of seasoned pros has performed to sold out crowds from their inception almost two years ago, including numerous appearances on the legendary Grand Ole Opry, a performance on the Conan O’Brien show and bookings at many of bluegrass’ most respected festivals. While offering new takes on classic themes of redemption and loss, and hope and home their songs are equally informed by the mountain sound of Ralph Stanley and the rhythm and blues of Ray Charles.

Recording all original material, The SteelDrivers’ collision of back-country high lonesome and Delta soul is one of the most refreshing sounds to emerge on the acoustic scene in a long time. With no hype, just incredible talent, the group established a name for themselves in a town that barely looks twice at a bunch of folks holding acoustic instruments. Stretching the boundaries of the typical bluegrass band, the dynamic rock/blues/soul vocals of Chris Stapleton (songs recorded by Josh Turner, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney) put the high lonesome bluegrass sound smack dab in the middle of town.

Other SteelDrivers include mandolinist/guitarist/vocalist Mike Henderson (Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt), fiddler/vocalist Tammy Rogers (Buddy & Julie Miller, Reba, Rodney Crowell), banjo player Richard Bailey (Johnny Cash, George Jones, Al Green) and bassist Mike Fleming (Kevin Welch, David Olney).