Woody Platt, one of the most charismatic frontmen in bluegrass, has embarked on a new chapter with his solo debut, Far Away With You. Known for his twenty-year run as the lead singer and founding member of the Steep Canyon Rangers, Platt helped shape the modern bluegrass scene, earning a Grammy and multiple nominations along the way. But when the pandemic put touring on pause, Platt chose to leave the Rangers, trading the road for home life with his young family. Now, he’s back with a collection of songs that redefine his place at the crossroads of traditional and contemporary bluegrass.

Far Away With You isn’t exactly a departure from band life, it’s an evolution to a new one. Platt’s baritone voice, always one of the most pleasant in bluegrass, leads listeners through a set of songs that honor bluegrass’ roots while trying to take it somewhere new. The album features collaborations with some of Platt’s biggest influences and closest friends, reflecting a musical journey that’s as much about community as it is about his personal path. The lead single, a bluegrass rendition of Blind Willie McTell’s “Broke Down Engine,” features Platt alongside his bluegrass hero, Del McCoury. For Platt, it’s a full-circle moment years in the making - from traveling as a college student to see McCoury perform, to sharing the stage with him at the Ryman, and now recording together. As Platt says, “This ride has literally taken me from the ground floor to a dream come true.”

The spirit of teamwork continues with “Toe The Line,” which pairs Platt with another bluegrass leader, Tim O’Brien. The song, written by Barrett Davis and Josh Carter, showcases the powers of a seasoned lineup, including Bennett Sullivan on banjo and Casey Driessen on fiddle. Platt even takes a detour from traditional bluegrass with a cover of Kings Of Leon’s “Beautiful War,” turning it into an acoustic anthem with the help of Darrell Scott’s haunting Weissenborn guitar. Platt saves some of the album’s grassiest moments for “Like The Rain Does,” featuring longtime bluegrass comrades Rob McCoury, Jason Carter, Buddy Melton, and the legendary Jerry Douglas on dobro. The sense of fellowship here feels effortless, steeped in years of shared love for the music. Not all the inspiration on Far Away With You comes from the bluegrass world, some of it comes from closer to home. “Off To The Sea,” a duet with Platt’s wife, Shannon Whitworth, breathes new life into a song she originally recorded with the Biscuit Burners, telling the story of a couple torn between the mountains and the coast. The album closes with “Walk Along With Me,” a tender lullaby Platt wrote while cradling his newborn son.

Born in the mountains of western North Carolina, Platt’s journey has always intertwined his passions with his career. From founding the Steep Canyon Rangers at UNC-Chapel Hill to establishing the Mountain Song Festival, which has raised over $1.5 million for local charities, Platt’s love for bluegrass has always been about connection. As he reflects on where he’s been, he says, “I’m so proud of what we accomplished with SCR, and I’m excited each and every day about what the future will bring.”