Steep Canyon Rangers is working to help those affected by Helene in western NC

The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina left members of the Steep Canyon Rangers struggling to connect. 

"The band wasn't able to talk to some of the guys (who live) in Brevard for a couple of days,  because just their communication was down. All the roads were cut off. We couldn't get out of the neighborhood, much less get out of town," the band's banjo player Graham Sharp told WRAL Wednesday.

While the band has since been able to reconnect and get back on the road for tour dates, the reality of the situation back home in North Carolina remains present in their minds. 

"It's strange. I mean, we get out on the road, like we're in Minneapolis right now, and it feels normal until you like, get to a shower, and you're like, oh, wow, a real shower again. Because we still don't have working water where we are," Sharpe said. 

Their first show back on the road was a few weekends ago in Charlotte. The band has made a point to raise money for Western North Carolina hurricane relief. 

"We've raised a lot of money at all our shows, and people are really generous," he said. "You feel a little more responsibility towards representing where you're from." 

Sharp applauds the musicians who have stepped up to raise awareness and funds for those affected by Helene. 

"I think musicians are just used to, sort of being community minded and pulling people together for a cause. It's just kind of a natural thing," Sharp said. "It's overwhelming, it's wonderful, and we're trying to do every little bit of that we can." 

The Music for the Mountains concert is one of those events The show, which is headlined by Old Crow Medicine Show, is Sunday at Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh. 

Steep Canyon Rangers are planning a show in Greensboro at the Tanger Center on Nov. 7 to raise money for the North Carolina Arts Foundation's relief fund.

The band also has a show in Brevard County on Saturday. 

"Everybody just come out and let's just have some fun and celebrate each other a little bit," Sharp said. 

In time, getting people together for shows and to visit Western North Carolina again is a goal for the band. 

"We just need some people to come back and hang out in Asheville and Brevard and western North Carolina and come see shows, come to the art galleries, come eat great meals, and that's that kind of stuff," Sharp said. 

The band's studio in Asheville remains in intact, so the group plans to return there in a few weeks to work on new music. "We got a bunch of new stuff we're working on," Sharp teased. "I mean, obviously, like hard times inspire, uplifting films. So think that's going to be the goal here."