/That was sweet. One day I'm a-gonna learn me how to play one of those banjo-thingies.
//I kinda half expected to see Bill Clinton jump up from behind Schaffer's piano and start screeching on his sax.

Unoriginal Joker: /That was sweet. One day I'm a-gonna learn me how to play one of those banjo-thingies.
//I kinda half expected to see Bill Clinton jump up from behind Schaffer's piano and start screeching on his sax.

Scruggs style is actually pretty easy to pick up. Clawhammer style is much harder, though.

You can pick up a entry level banjo to play around with for $70-80, and you just need to get some of those little finger/thumb picks and a good instructional DVD and you'll be "hootin' and hollerin'" in no time.

/teaching my GF scruggs-style banjo as we speak

This brought back memories of 'Bonnie and Clyde', which I just watched again, for the umpteenth time, just three weeks ago.

Kind thanks subby.

Back a long time ago, when I was in my goth/metal band, I dreamed of having Steve Martin play banjo on one of our songs. Goth/Metal/Banjo music - It's the wave of the future!

Boritom: Back a long time ago, when I was in my goth/metal band, I dreamed of having Steve Martin play banjo on one of our songs. Goth/Metal/Banjo music - It's the wave of the future!

You're aware that Steve Martin had this joke in his act back in the '70s, right?

I've always thought Steve Martin was a pretty good banjo player, but next to the rest of those guys he's sort of an embarrassing amateur. I'm sure he knows it too.

Ok, that was f'n cool as hell.

+1

What are those dulcet tones?
Why, this is the music of the angels!

Awesome. Thanks subby

"I'd like to talk about politics, but first..."

"Oh death, and grief, and sorrow, and murder."

That was like being at Shakey's Pizza.

Confabulat: I've always thought Steve Martin was a pretty good banjo player, but next to the rest of those guys he's sort of an embarrassing amateur. I'm sure he knows it too.

I suppose like anything, if you eat, sleep, and breathe something you're going to get damn good at it. Martin may have been playing banjo for 40 years, but being a comedian, writing, making movies, and generally just whoring around, probably cuts into your practice time.

Banjos are a lot harder to play than everyone thinks, just so you know.

Unoriginal Joker: I suppose like anything, if you eat, sleep, and breathe something you're going to get damn good at it. Martin may have been playing banjo for 40 years, but being a comedian, writing, making movies, and generally just whoring around, probably cuts into your practice time.

Yeah I wasn't slagging him. Hell he's still a damn fine banjo player to even have the nerve to stand on stage with Scruggs and those other nameless guys.

I was actually wondering a few days ago if he still kept up his banjo playing, as I hadn't seen him play one since the 70s.

I can sit through anything, but that video really tested my resolve.

That was a fun little jaunt of a song.

And on a sidenote, Paul Shaffer & Co played "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" by The Band as the show went to break there. Or the first few bars of it, anyway. Just an interesting observation.

Subby, that also featured Glen Duncan, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, and Jerry Douglas. Why the hell would you mention Shaffer in the headline?

Different video dude. Maybe you were thinking of this:

Link (new window)

MikeXpop: Subby, that also featured Glen Duncan, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, and Jerry Douglas. Why the hell would you mention Shaffer in the headline?

TunaTacoTaster: Different video dude. Maybe you were thinking of this:

Link (new window)

Banjowned

I've always thought Steve Martin was a pretty good banjo player, but next to the rest of those guys he's sort of an embarrassing amateur. I'm sure he knows it too.

Of course he does. He also knows that the act will sell more tickets with him on the bill than without him (that includes scruggs). I'm sure the others dont mind the extra cash.