Steve Martin & Alison Brown Play Banjo From Their New Album 'Wall Guitar'

[@ahs1723]

I went to college with Alison. In addition to being a marvelous musician, she's a total sweetheart!

[@superblindeye1]

I have had the opportunity to meet her twice, and both times, she couldn't have been any nicer. I can't think of anyone I'd rather have as my biggest hero.

[@MadeleineBettina]

agreed, from another classmate

[@jmcgregor316]

I have been a major fan of Steve Martin since the 70s. He is such and incredible actor, comedian and musician!!!

[@kendrabryant4738]

I appreciate how Kelly converses with her guests & it’s not just a traditional talk show interview. It feels much more authentic, comfortable, and interesting. It seems like it’s working well for her considering the show is on it’s fifth season & has won several Emmy’s.

[@ronsmock1879]

She has won 8 the show overall had won around 50

[@RockFan89]

If she would just take a breath and let the guests finish their sentence before interjecting, that would be better

[@kendrabryant4738]

@@RockFan89 she’s been working on it. She’s just got ADD or ADHD (can’t remember which she said) and she also talks more/faster when she gets excited.

[@summerrayne42]

I’m 43, and I do know who the Kingston Trios are. I grew up listening to them with my dad ☺️! I also love how Kelly gives her guest space, and she makes her show so comfortable to watch. It’s very warm and inviting.

[@Earache702]

“Who the Kingston Trio IS”!!

[@grega.4556]

The Kingston Trio ARE a band. They are not pieces of music, ie a piano trio by Mozart.

[@summerrayne42]

@ They are a very good band. I haven’t heard them for a long time!

[@summerrayne42]

@@Earache702 Go on KZbin, or Google them, and I’m sure you will find information on them. You kind of have to be old fashioned to enjoy their music 😉!

[@CarlosVazquez-p4c]

Look it up on KZbin and you will know about the Kingston trio

[@rebecavasquez2695]

Steve Martin just doesn't age. Omg wat an awesome human being!! ❤❤❤

[@Umanflyumanfly]

He is still a " Wild and Crazy Guy "

[@sueb1337]

As a big bluegrass music lover, I love it when they feature the genre on one of the modern talk shows! To share the joy❤

[@pdoylemi]

My best friend in high school was a bluegrass and "old timey" musician and while I never did grasp the difference between the genres he tells me they are unique. By the time we graduated he could play guitar, banjo, fiddle, mountain dulcimer, and hammered dulcimer and had built at least one of all of them except the fiddle. I still recall my favorite Old Timey song-"Hang me, oh Hang me".

[@CorneiliusLibowitz]

@@pdoylemi It's easy to tell the difference between the two genres....

[@pdoylemi]

@@CorneiliusLibowitz For some, apparently...

[@pdoylemi]

@@CorneiliusLibowitz For some, apparently...

[@CorneiliusLibowitz]

@@pdoylemi Bluegrass came from the old timey/string band world... They more or less use the same acoustic instruments (banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle).... Each in their purest forms are easy to distinguish, but yeah, sometimes bands meld them together....

[@FrigidFrosty]

I met Steve Martin many years ago in the Peabody hotel in Orlando, FL and he was so nice. Thank you for your life thru the movies and your music.

[@tonyc3711]

@FrigidFrosty did he give you a card? He was famous for carrying business cards that said you have had an encounter with Steve Martin he had them made-up to save time from writing autographs

[@ckg145]

Love this.... Steve Martin & Alison Brown are terrific. Nice to see bluegrass on a mainstream show.

[@stevenstranger5688]

I always loved listening to the late great Roy Clark.

[@conphuze]

There is just something about Kelly that is very special. Look at her fly off her seat into a catcher's stance at 10:46 while discussing Steve's song lyrics. She is kind, beautiful and authentic.

[@strider8933]

I love this!! I am from LA. Meaning lower Alabama. My family LIVED music. Mostly Blue Grass and simple Hillbilly stuff. A HUGE amount of that came from Irish, English, and other folk music from elsewhere a couple of centuries ago. That was actually the beginning of Country music. I love this!!!!

[@michaelallison1255]

i am from Birmingham-Howdy neighbor!!

[@strider8933]

@@michaelallison1255 Howdy!! I am originally from Opp/ Dothan area. Gotta love L.A.!!!

[@tomrobards7753]

How about Pete seger

[@strider8933]

@@tomrobards7753 No question! I would also add Roy Clark, Earl Scruggs, etc..

[@peterburgess980]

What a lovely man you are Steve. You could have hogged the interview but you didn’t. Well done, you are a gentleman.

[@indianlotus1580]

My favorite actor of all time, the one and only... "STEVE MARTIN" LOVE THIS!

[@Nunyabizs]

I’ve seen Steve Martin in concert twice - absolutely the best concert ever.

[@ElderWomanFitness]

I worked on a movie with Steve Martin once as an extra. What a lovely gentleman.

[@tonyc3711]

You're taking some Liberties there using the word with. 😅jk. Must been a great experience

[@tonyc3711]

@ElderWomanFitness most people based in reality would not use the term "worked with" as it implies a larger role than an extra. * note my use of JK and ending the comment with a complimentary statement. = intended joke. I didn't say it was a good one 🤪😎✌️🤟✌️🤟

[@candisshort8227]

You sure aren't!! Rude, hateful and unable to take a joke. OR accept an apology.​@@ElderWomanFitness

[@ElderWomanFitness]

@@candisshort8227 excuse me?

[@ElderWomanFitness]

@@tonyc3711Sorry. Missed it. My bad. 😞

[@SimWithDon]

It's so funny to hear Kelly say that the banjo is so happy.... Steve will always be a comedian to me, saw him live in the late 70s - he was huge. One of his bits was... you can't be sad when you hear the banjo. Love it!

[@jrs2024]

The banjo is a very cool instrument. My brother in Hawaii built a gorgeous banjo in high school, learned how to played it in high school & became popular for creating a unique sound in bands. So proud of him! Since then, he has focused on building the most beautiful ukuleles & guitars.

[@arhzee3310]

The banjo was part of Steve’s act in the 70’s. I always admired his passion for music.

[@julieanderson100]

My dad loved the Kingston Trio. I remember enjoying the albums growing up.

[@reddragonready]

Alison used to play with the very young Alison Krauss in Union Station

[@tunajune2382]

I remember that. They played in the gym of a local high school in the late 1980s and had us all stomping in the bleachers. It was plain they were going places.

[@reddragonready]

@@tunajune2382 Wish I could say the same but being European and only having discovered the career of Alison after Raising Sand dropped..I have yet to see her live. Had tickets last year but she cancelled due to the flu

[@jeanettehebb4886]

Kķkk mi 3:56 ​@@reddragonready

[@reddragonready]

@@jeanettehebb4886 Not even Google translate knows what you mean by that..and neither do I. Try it in English next time!

[@superblindeye1]

That was my favorite era of the group.

[@kennethlaursen5957]

You should have seen Steve Martin when he was a kid performing at the Birdcage Theater at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. He was brilliant even then.

[@jillfromatlanta427]

The Kingston Trio and the Limeliters were both great folk groups in the 60s. Both trios had good banjo players. That era has disappeared from radio and music history, it seems, which is so sad 😢. They should be rediscovered.

[@rwyoung1116]

I have always enjoyed Steve Martin's Banjo playing. (I'll have to watch for Alison Brown's Banjo playing.) One of Steve Martin's performances that I have watched probably a dozen times is when he played with the Steep Canyon Rangers on the NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert. It was done 7 years ago and I just looked and it has 4.6 Million views on KZbin!!!

[@plywoodcarjohnson5412]

Great that Steve does music. So much sincerity added to the goofyness. Bumps him up in my world.

[@erikm8372]

Kudos to Alison for mentioning the African roots of the banjo. Those African and slave roots are part of what makes the instrument quintessentially "American"-it has the sound of the "south" but was formed from the music of the very people who were (forcefully) brought here to build the nation we have today. Although… it wasn’t just the drum frame that was African, with a "European" stringed instrument fingerboard & neck; there are plenty of African instruments with necks, fingerboards, pegs and strings! Many of which resemble the banjos we see now. Some, like the kora, are incredibly complex, and learning them can only be passed down through familial inheritances. The kora may not be the original inspiration behind the American banjo, but it’s one of the many west African stringed instruments. It’s almost like a banjo with elements of mbira and harp.

[@vestel777]

You know what?? I could very easily see actor Jeff Daniels, Steve Martin, and Alison Brown starting their own band.

[@slydwaysdrifter2159]

Please! 🙏

[@rjhenderson1541]

Kelly should hear the story of The Isaacs. Their mother is Jewish from New York City and met a bluegrass musician and they started a bluegrass gospel family. Their daughter, Sonya, has a solo Country album

[@NealBraverman.]

What an Amazing Day with song with Steve Martin and Alison Brown thanks for a great show!! Neal from Boston :)) 🎙️🎶🪕👍🌈☮️

[@a2ndopynyn]

What a great segment. I like Kelly's interview style, and she looks great!

[@Caitanyadas109]

Steve mentioned he heard well known bands in local clubs, and he mentioned the Dillards. Kelly passed right over it, thinking no one knows the Dillards, yet a huge amount of her audience probably knows the Dillards, they just know them by a different name. Andy Griffith loved listening to the Dillards and he wanted to play music with them. That's why they were featured on the Andy Griffith Show. Everyone just knew them as the Darlings. Seems every episode that featured the Darlins had Andy Griffith picking a song with them.

[@Naillady51]

I loved the darlins

[@ES-mq9ox]

@@Naillady51 and Darlene Darling was such a Hottee!! a real treat for the young (and not so young) boys watching back in the 60's - lol... :)

[@robertjones-iv7wq]

First time I'd heard "Steve Martin" he opened for the Eagles, Jethro Tull & another band, Tull headlined. Steve was playing banjo for the Eagles, then did a comedy schtick. What a night!.

[@AmandaSandefur-i8r]

So beautiful

[@suzannehooper306]

This is one of my favorite Kelly Clarkson shows ever!! It's not your average story. I'm excited for this album even though I haven't listened to much banjo before.

[@foxfamilymn]

“That’s Marty!” Hahaha! He does not miss a beat. Literally.

[@robertewalt7789]

I saw Alison playing with Allison Krause and Union Station in the 1990’s, in a small theater in Tarrytown, NY.

[@Chris.Brisson]

I grew up in Long Beach, California, and graduated from Steve Martin's alma mater. I then moved to Lexington, Kentucky (the heart of the Bluegrass) only to find myself a few years later in San Diego (the funny bone of Bluegrass). We love the roots music scene in San Diego, so many talented musicians y'all might never get to hear.

[@erikm8372]

My mom knew Alison in high school, actually. It’s ironic because now I play the fiddle! Mainly Irish/Scottish music, but plenty of country and bluegrass tunes, too! It took my family leaving San Diego for five years, to Southern Maryland, for me to discover music at age 14… now I’m back in SD and need to leave again, if I’m going to do music.

[@Chris.Brisson]

@@erikm8372 well, San Diego has a robust music scene. Hook up with the San Diego Bluegrass Society and local roots music artists; eg 7th Day Buskers, Berkley Hart, Tim Flannery, Chris Thile (Nickel Creek, The Punch Brothers), Virtual Strangers, Gregory Page, Peter Bolland, Three Chord Justice, etc. There's a long list at the sandiegoreader under "Local Bluegrass & Roots Artists".

[@pattikrotje9679]

I also graduated from CSULB s few years after Steve Martin did. Once I saw him in one of the parking !ots.

[@carolegraham772]

Banjo always makes me happy. Even when I'm feeling down. I love Steve Martin so much. ❤

[@roxannehoag5873]

Love The Kelly Clarkson Show! She is so talented and creative! Awesome creative Lady! 🎤🎶🎵♥️💜

[@jspohl]

It’s a very happy high vibration instrument which I love. 💖🥰 Love the violin too. I love how lovely Steve Martin follows so many creative impulses and so wonderfully!

[@hapwichryk]

First time I seen Alison Brown live. Was that a Bluegrass Festival in Western Pennsylvania. She was the banjo player for Alison Krauss and Union Station. Fell in love with her then and still follow her career

[@dellahaslam5105]

I love the Kingston Trio I was a child but all my family used to listen to them on the radio from Kolkata. India

[@papajeff5486]

Also, listened to the Kingston Trio as a kid, when we lived in Memphis, Tennessee. Dad was in med school. I actually have two “wall banjos”, four “wall guitars” and a “wall grand piano”. …from an old vet, retired in the foothills of the Smokies.

[@blooey5231]

I love that kelly managed to get a laugh out of steve and said "Thank You" in relief.

[@TheAcidbrush]

That's one wild and crazy banjo player..guy!

[@quickdeuce]

@3:34,, "There's something very American about the banjo." We could not agree more and when played well - as Steve does - it can grab you by your soul and take you uncharted and calm waters. No, I cannot play but I am one heckj 'uva GOOD listener 🙂

[@diggingmary129]

Late for school is my favorite, and king tut!! ❤

[@johanngregory3499]

Absolutely EXCELLENT!

[@davidcammilleri5526]

Steve Martin is a very kind man. Love the banjo

[@H444-f2c]

Thanks for sharing our history Steve 😊

[@rebeccasanders2812]

Woulda loved to hear move of them playing! As a fellow banjo player, Steve has always been one of my favorites!

[@DocsChannel]

How great that she got an audience member a chance to play

[@MrGaryGG48]

That bit with Paul McCartney... "...when you said you were a terrible singer, I thought you were kidding. You're right!!" That cracks me up!! 🤣

[@PatrickMichael2002]

She's really rocking those bangs 😍

[@timarb5177]

It's happy music. Thanks Steve.

[@greeneyedldy50]

I love steve martin great man ❤

[@azpcox]

“That’s Marty!” Had me dying!

[@mc9551]

Steve seems like such a nice, happy guy, always wanted to meet him.

[@slydwaysdrifter2159]

Alison Is an absolute must to follow.😊

[@lauriemashek5419]

I’ve known about Steve playing banjo since 1979 when a friend let me listen to his album, yes kids, vinyl.

[@lullabyesmom]

I am 56 and i hv heard of The Kingston Trio, but not sure if i have listend to them. I just watched the vid of Steve and the guys doing 'Athiests Dont Have a song'..er whatev it's called ...then i found this more recent Steve Martin vid with Kelly! I didnt know he played on her album! That is awesome! 👍🙏😻⛪✝️🦁🐑🕎🏳️🏁🇮🇱

[@mnkx65a]

I used to watch Allison Brown play with Stuart Duncan at the local Bluegrass Club held at a local Pizza Restaurant in San Diego years (and years) ago!

[@bmac1205]

So great to see this side of Mr. Martin.

[@timebandit2951]

Kelly is always so pleasant.

[@tomfogbawah3027]

Interesting interview queen Kelly!❤❤❤❤

[@jweyek]

Allison Brown is also a superb guitarist.

[@edwardantrobusjr2253]

Back in the late 60's, I aquired a 45 rpm copy of Where Have All The Flowers Gone by the Kingston Tri. I was a preteen then.

[@kevinr5187]

Being a country person, I love the banjo.

[@matsonhill3646]

Wow. Please tell me the song at 4:30 when going to a commercial break. I would have loved to hear that whole song.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Way back when Steve Martin said that the banjo is so happy sounding that they should give one to everyone who is unemployed. Canada would be like “what’s that??

[@toring61_52]

Wow That's Kelly, been a while since I seen her lately. She looks fantabulous her sleek body and beautiful face looks like she did when first on American Idol. Are you still doing "The Voice." Keep going strong my Dear 💖

[@heidia6270]

How beautiful!

[@ravingcyclist624]

We finally got to actually hear them play !!!

[@gewglesux]

FF through all the rest ..

[@yadaroni]

I am always amazed how high level musicians can tune mid song on the fly.

[@d1zz314]

Wow I had no idea that Steve Martin was such a talented musician!😮

[@RenaObenreder]

I grew up listening to the Kingston Trio, as well.

[@hilandmalt]

I saw Steve Martin open for the carpenters back in the 70s. The ticket cost four dollars lol

[@NellieKAdaba]

Nice

[@StevenBakerDive]

Steve Martin saved my brain during Covid!

[@jhutch1681]

Who knew! Fascinating to hear another side of a much loved actor :)

[@superblindeye1]

Here for Alison!

[@briansalisbury4764]

I always feel like Kelly actually cares about her guests and is interested in what they are saying. True sincerity. I did not feel that with Ellen. On American Idol, you saw early on Kelly's wonderful personality.

[@laurenceboag2325]

Wonderful. I grew up admiring Steve and John McEuen from Merlin's Magic Shop at Disneyland in the 1960s. I have followed their careers ever since. I am super proud of them both. Great interview!

[@jimmylang6740]

I. Love. The. Song❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@DannyJacobs-x5z]

2:22 Surprisingly, Deering Banjo Company is located very close to San Diego, CA., which I love and play a Deering. Although not remotely as well as Steve and Alison!

[@ms.jenkinskbclassroom6066]

It’s happy. It’s fun stuff!

[@leslieschmitt7749]

I love Steve Martin!!

[@MJ-lm7ne]

Easy on the work dear

[@gemmaluescher-verseckas1243]

Maybe because I am a 70’s kid - so I knew Martin played banjo ( on the muppets he duet with Kermit) as well as his stints on SNL

[@NEPatriot]

And then...there was King Tut, his 1978 million selling top 20 hit about what Wikipedia described as "a caricature of the Treasures of Tutankhamun traveling exhibit that toured seven American cities from 1976 to 1979." Also, Chicago's then Top 40 powerhouse WLS 89 had that song at number one for 4 weeks that year. It ended up being the 11th most popular song in the Windy City.

[@gemmaluescher-verseckas1243]

@ yes I remember the King tut skits well

[@christineflores8599]

And the photo she showed of him was from the fabulous Let's Get Small comedy album from 70s!!

[@sjt609]

*Love Steve Martin!*

[@DjFrankeBeatsOC]

Very Cool...❤

[@christopherallen9580]

Does Kelly know Steve was a world class standup in the 70s?

[@notvalidcharacters]

She must, because she virtually quoted his routine from that era.

[@budafel]

​@@notvalidcharactersI'm sure she must but I don't think they wanted to stray too far from discussing the banjo and bluegrass

[@steves7896]

Steve, it would make my day if you got together with Deke Dickerson and Dave Stuckey for their Hillbilly Fest at the annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender, you would be such a PERFECT fit!

[@justrobin6459]

Love it!

[@brucehanover890]

Holy clickbait...I love Steve Martin and his banjo which is why I ended up watching this whole thing for a few moments of playing when I could have sworn I read "Steve and Allison Play banjo from their new album..."

[@alexfrost1390]

Song at 09.45 - isn’t that the swimming song by Loudon Wainwright?

[@michaelvamana7482]

1976/77 or 78 my dad comes home after work with Steve Martin tickets. Who's Steve Martin? Upland high school, California. Arrow in the head white suit.

[@ronarnott1801]

yup, knew the Kingston trio very well

[@robertjones-iv7wq]

And...I totally LOVE bluegrass

[@denisebooth866]

Love it. Love the banjo. 🪕. Where’s the music

[@Search4TruthReality]

Steve Martin, on his comedy album, had played banjo and quipped that you can't sing a sad song while playing banjo. Decades later, here he sits with Kelly commenting on his new song which touches on the pain of heartache. Interesting...makes me wonder whether singing a sad song with banjo was a life-long goal.

[@purplemicrodot58]

"Steve Martin & Alison Brown Play A Mere 16 Seconds From Their New Album 'Wall Guitar."" Fixed your title.

[@roblogan6703]

I hope no one thinks bad of me for saying this, but Kelly looks really good now. She looks healthy and like she's in a good place in her life. I struggle with my weight and I know what it's like to have good days and bad days. It's all about discipline.

[@jeanetteh.9240]

I believe (but can't quote a source) that Ms. Clarkson used Ozempic, or something similar, to lose weight.

[@bcb2555]

Steve is the jimmy page with the banjo he IS the definition of the word entertainer