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Martin, Steve

WR

STEVE MARTIN

  • From Los Angeles, California. Born in Waco, Texas; grew up in Garden Grove, California.
  • He is an Emmy and Grammy-award winning comedian, writer, musician and actor, appearing in dozens of films such as “The Jerk,” “Parenthood,” “Roxanne,” “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” “Father of the Bride,” and “The Pink Panther.”
  • Began playing banjo in the 1960’s, influenced by Earl Scruggs, Doug Dillard and John McEuen. He frequently used his banjo in comedy routines developed at Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm and incorporated the banjo into his stand-up routines.
  • 1981, released The Steve Martin Brothers album (Warner Brothers) which featured both comedy and banjo tunes.
  • 2001, won a Grammy for his appearance on the Earl Scruggs And Friends recording of “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.”
  • 2007, appeared on the IBMA and Grammy award-winning Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular album by Tony Trischka and Friends (Rounder).
  • 2009, released his first all-banjo album The Crow: New Songs for the Five String Banjo (Rounder).
  • 2009, began playing live dates with the Steep Canyon Rangers. Also made his first appearance as a musician on the Grand Ole Opry (With Vince Gill, May 30, 2009).
  • 2010, won the Grammy Award for Bluegrass Album of the Year.
  • 2011, released Rare Bird Alert album with the Steep Canyon Rangers.
  • 2011, performed with the Steep Canyon Rangers on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building for the PBS TV 4th of July Celebration.
  • 2011, won the IBMA Award for Entertainer of the Year.
  • 2013, released Love Has Come For You, his first album with singer/songwriter Edie Brickell, who formerly fronted the New Bohemians (1985-1990) best known for their hit “What I Am.” She also has a successful solo career (appeared and sang in the movie “Born on the Fourth of July”) and fronts another band called The Gaddabouts. She is married to singer/songwriter Paul Simon.
  • 2014, released Steve Martin And The Steep Canyon Rangers Featuring Edie Brickell Live album (Rounder).
  • 2015, received IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Award for his contributions to bluegrass music.
  • 2015, was inducted into the National Banjo Hall of Fame.
  • 2015, released So Familiar, an album of duets with Edie Brickell (Rounder).