Article Contributed by Mountain Home Music Company
Published on 2026-10-22
Award-winning bluegrass band Balsam Range has led a storied career. But beyond the accolades and the miles of national touring, the Haywood County, North Carolina natives have always stayed true to their principles. They take pride in where they're from, they record and perform music with a message bigger than themselves, and they represent everyday people. Their new single, releasing October 30th, a tasteful and powerful cover of the Southern rock classic “Simple Man,” embodies all of the above.
“Simple Man” does more than highlight the core principles behind the band. It also makes a statement about where they're going. It is Balsam Range's first independent release, and it spotlights Stephen Hudson on fiddle and lead vocals. Hudson joins the band's well-established powerhouse lineup of Tim Surrett, Marc Pruett, Caleb Smith and Alan Bibey.
“We are so proud of this one,” says Surrett. “It is our first release to feature Stephen Hudson, and what an introduction this is.”
“Simple Man” tells the story of a mother's advice to her son: take your time, live honestly, follow your heart and find contentment in life's simple things rather than chasing riches. The release finds the band embarking on a new chapter, showing they are artists who can evolve and still stay true to their beginnings, artists who can progress while keeping what makes them so special intact. And they do it all with a sound so flowing, so dynamic and so interesting that it makes the complexity of bluegrass music seem simple.
Of course, “Simple Man” is the well-known Southern rock classic from Lynyrd Skynyrd, but it is transformed in a bluegrass setting, especially in the hands of these seasoned players. With a tasteful and passionate mandolin solo from Bibey, a Dobro solo from bassist Surrett, and fiddle from Hudson, alongside chorus harmonies reminiscent of the 1970s-era Eagles, the song takes on new life.
For Surrett, the song's reach is a big part of its power, and the band sees it firsthand on stage. “‘Simple Man’ is a song that resonates with just about everyone. It's an iconic song that touches a lot of people. It's amazing to watch the audience reaction when Caleb starts with the guitar intro. They know immediately,” he says. “I think that folks are going to love Stephen's performance. If you are going to cover a song like this, you better bring it. Stephen did. This might be my favorite recording since Trains I Missed.”
But above the musical prowess and masterful vocal performance is the song's message: stay humble, stay honest and be true to who you are. It's a message Balsam Range has carried since that first kitchen jam in the mountains of Western North Carolina, and one that fits them as naturally as the place they call home.
“Simple Man” is out Friday, October 30, 2026.
About Balsam Range
In 2027, Balsam Range marks 20 years as one of bluegrass music’s most celebrated bands. The group, Caleb Smith (guitar, vocals), Tim Surrett (bass, dobro, vocals), Alan Bibey (mandolin, vocals), Marc Pruett (banjo) and newest member Stephen Hudson (fiddle, vocals), is celebrating the milestone with new music and another full year of touring. They’ll carry their sound from historic concert halls to intimate listening rooms across the country.
Balsam Range formed in 2007 in Haywood County, North Carolina, where the Great Smoky Mountains meet the Blue Ridge. The band is named after the Great Balsam Mountains, which run along the county’s southern edge. What began as friends picking tunes quickly grew into one of the most respected acts in contemporary bluegrass. While their songwriting draws on gospel, classic country and Appalachian ballads, Balsam Range has stayed true to the genre at heart, building a catalog of original songs that sound unmistakably their own.
They have become one of the genre’s most decorated acts, with International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) honors that include:
Balsam Range has released 14 albums and scored numerous No. 1 singles on the bluegrass charts. Their 2024 release Kinetic Tone topped the Bluegrass Unlimited chart.
Even with their national success, the band remains deeply tied to home. Since 2016 they have hosted the annual Balsam Range Art of Music Festival at Lake Junaluska, which draws fans from around the world to Western North Carolina mountains they call home.
Beyond the accolades and the miles traveled, one thing has remained unchanged since their very first performance: a genuine love of making music and connecting with audiences through the shared experience of live performance.
