Steve Martin—side-splitting Saturday Night Live comedian, blockbuster film star, and prolific author—is now exposing the world to his musical talent on the banjo. Most people don’t know that the Hollywood legend picks a mean tune, which can be heard on his recently released album The Crow—a collection of all-original Martin compositions. This year Martin is also bringing his five-string on the road with help from Western North Carolina bluegrass aces Steep Canyon Rangers. The members of the Rangers first met Martin last fall when the comedian, who occasionally vacations in North Carolina, showed up at the band’s Mountain Song Festival in Brevard and played a few tunes. The impromptu sit-in has evolved into a full tour, which will visit some of the most lauded venues in the South this month. Martin and the Rangers will play at Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta on October 9, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte on October 10, the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on October 11, and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on October 12. More info:
steepcanyon.com.
