On How Did We Do It, Graham Sharp, celebrated songwriter and founding member of the Grammy-winning Steep Canyon Rangers, delivers a solo album steeped in gratitude, humor,
and love. Building on the stripped-down charm of his 2021 debut, Truer Picture, this collection showcases Sharp’s ability to craft thoughtful songs that evoke warmth and optimism.
“This is a group of songs I’ve written over the last few years that loosely fell into the basket of love songs,” Sharp shares. “All of these tunes are tied to specific moments and places; so for
me, it almost reads like a photo album through the past decade or so. Most of these tunes fit nicely onto the banjo, so the bluegrass setting seemed like the obvious choice. Living in
Western NC, I’m lucky to have some of the finest bluegrass musicians anywhere as neighbors. This group had never played together as a band so we had a lot of fun putting these little songstogether.”
The album’s first single, “A Good Year,” exemplifies Sharp’s ability to weave vivid imagery into his songwriting, painting a vivid picture of a carefree Southern escape, blending nostalgia,
resilience, and celebration. Reflecting on the song, Sharp explains, “We were in a bar on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans, listening to a band while visiting my wife’s family. The band
started playing ‘Come Together,’ and just as the singer hit the line, ‘hair down below his knees,’ she ripped off her wig and threw it on the floor. My mind was blown.” The chorus serves as both a reflection and a resolution: a desire to move forward, shake off the past, and make the most of the time ahead. Ultimately, it’s a song of renewal, optimism, and letting the good times roll.
Driven by Sharp’s distinctive banjo playing and deep, resonant vocals, How Did We Do It moves effortlessly between poignant ballads and lighthearted tracks. Its title track encapsulates the
record’s overarching message—a statement of wonder looking back on challenges overcome, expressed with humility and pride. Sharp describes the album as a “thank you” to his family and
a reflection of the joy and the difficulties that mark life’s milestones. Musically, the album embraces Sharp’s bluegrass roots while exploring new textures and collaborations. The project draws inspiration from legendary artists like Earl Scruggs, Terry Allen, and John Hartford, whose influence is felt in the album’s raw energy and storytelling.
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FEATURING LOCAL EMERGING ARTIST: ABIGAIL DOWD
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Abigail Dowd grew up under the longleaf pines in the Sandhills region of North Carolina. Known for her storytelling and command of an audience, she has been called “a writer of the highest caliber” (The All Scene Eye). Her soulful voice and unique classical guitar style caught the attention of Acoustic Guitar Magazine, which described the album “Not What I Seem”: “The guitar-driven introspective folk of the 1970s [as] a touchstone, but so are blues and roots rock ’n’ roll.”
Pulling from her heritage of storytelling and determination, Dowd weaves hints of Celtic melodies with the soulful gospel of the south to create a sound that dances between folk, rock and blues.
