Steve Martin on the banjo

Subject: RE: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: Kim C
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 07:54 AM

Wow! I have always loved Steve Martin. I hope we see more of his musical talents.

A few weeks ago, NBC aired one of the "classic" SNLs that he hosted... it was the one where he complained about not being able to get a blue spotlight... with the now-famous "well excuuuuuuuuuuuse me!" Well worth staying up past midnight.

Subject: RE: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 12:48 AM

The title of the album I mentioned is "The Steve Martin Brothers".

Apparently Steve had been picking for the cast during breaks in filming his last movie. When the movie was finished, Queen Latifa, his co-star, presented him with a brand new top of the line Gibson banjo, I think it was about $9,000. The BNL article listed his other banjos, vintage Pre-Wars. The new Gibson will probably become his "Campfire" banjo. I should be so lucky (or so funny).

Subject: RE: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 09:02 PM

There was an interview with Steve in a recent Banjo Newsletter. It seems that he was very serious about the banjo for a long time and then drifted away from it. He was asked to play on the Earl Scruggs and Friends CD. Apparently it has really rekindled his interest in the banjo and he is back to practicing & playing regularly. He is quite a good banjo picker. The most recent Banjo Newsletter had an interview with Saturday Night Live's Kevin Nealon who also has been playing for years. He and Steve are now regularly jamming with John McEuen.

Steve's last comedy album, now out of print, featured an entire side of his Banjo playing.

Subject: RE: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: Compton
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 06:23 PM

Try and catch Steve Martin's video.."A Wild and Crazy Guy" where he plays Banjo quite a bit!

Subject: RE: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 05:41 PM

Don Imus had him on his morning radio show earlier this week to promote a new book. He played his banjo there as well. Nice treat in the morning. Banjo players are definitely sexier.

Subject: RE: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 05:11 PM

I saw Steve Martin many years ago (30?)...when he was just a stand up comic opening for others...who used a banjo as part of his act, and the banjo playing was the best part.

Subject: RE: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 03:49 PM

Steve Martin came out of the same scene and era of country pickers in southern California as Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, and Vern Gosdin.

Subject: RE: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: Renegade
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 02:44 PM

Yes, Larry, and it was a look I've seen in his movies, when he transitions from one degree of exasperation to the next.

The unspoken thought I put in his head at that moment was: "Next she'll ask me to f'ing play the theme from Deliverance...."

Bill

Subject: RE: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 02:22 PM

Am I remembering correctly that he also managed comedian Steven Wright?

Subject: RE: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 01:00 PM

William E. McEuen is John McEuen's brother. In addition to managing Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Steve Martin, he managed Mason Williams and a pre-Allman Brothers band featuring Gregg and Duane Allman (Hourglass?). He produced Nitty Gritty's albums including "Will the Circle Be Unbroken", as well as Steve Martin's stand-up comedy albums. He also produced a number of movies including Martin's "The Jerk" and "Man With Two Brains" and the PeeWee Herman movies.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 11:45 AM

Yeah, Larry, I had that same thought! I was just reaching for the remote to turn off the TV when Katie Couric asked him that.

Subject: RE: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: Wesley S
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 11:29 AM

I understand that Martin shared a manager with the Nitty Gritty Dird Band for many years. And that he and John McKuen had matching banjos. It's interesting to me that Steve Martin collects modern art - some of it avant-guard - and plays the banjo too. A unique combination.

Subject: RE: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: InOBU
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 10:30 AM

I especially enjoyed the subtle look of exasperated amusment when the commentator asked him to play the Beverly Hillbilly's theme, when he was playing with such grace and good form... he had that, "yup, all banjo playing is the same to you..." look, while having the good graces to say nothing but continue playing... a fine writer a good comidian and a fine musician. cudos to steve,
Larry

Subject: Steve Martin on the banjo
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 10:24 AM

I had forgotten Steve Martin plays the banjo, and quite well. Did anyone see him on the Today show this morning? He rocked!

(In case anyone has been wondering about my cookie.... I am cookied on the home computer, but presently uncookied on the work computer... I clean them out and sometimes get too lazy to reset...)