STRINGS ATTACHED: Martin, seated, far right, with his band, the Steep Canyon Rangers.
ANNA WEBBER
STEVE MARTIN has been a sadistic dentist, an out-of-towner, a frustrated traveler, a father of 12 and a jerk. Now he’s just happy to be a banjo player—in real life, not on screen. In recent years, the comedy legend has stepped away from Hollywood and shifted his focus to theater (his comedy Meteor Shower—starring Amy Schumer—is set to open on Broadway in November) and a longtime passion: bluegrass music. On September 22, the skilled banjo player will release a new album, The Long-Awaited Album (yes, that’s the title), with his band, the Steep Canyon Rangers. The songs are uptempo, goofy stories of love (“Caroline”) and family awkwardness (“Strangest Christmas Yet”).
Martin, who famously incorporated the banjo into his ’70s standup act, is pretty sure the bluegrass community doesn’t see him as an actor-dabbler. “Well, I don’t know what they say about me behind my back,” he says with a laugh.