Two Great Comedians Who Play the
Banjo and Love Bluegrass Music
Bluegrass is a modified version of several varieties of music. Music
from people such as the Scottish, English, and Africans as they
migrated from their homelands to America began to mix their
individual forms of music to develop what is now known as Bluegrass.
The banjo, which is the prominent instrument used in playing
bluegrass, in its first form was developed by slaves. It is not
known how or when, but later the banjo was modified and redesigned
to the instrument we see today.
Not only are they well known for their ability to keep us laughing,
interested and ready for anything with their name appearing on or in
it, they are also some of the best and most well known when playing
or reminiscing about the past with Bluegrass music. Celebrities who
love Bluegrass seem to bring out the best in some of us.
For instance, some are comedians who
simply make you want to die laughing. Names such as Jerry Van dyke
and Steve Martin are those synonymous with comedy. They can make
looking silly not only funny, but also we beg for more. The two
names have been featured throughout the years on everything from
their own sitcoms, the big screen and talk shows galore. They are
two of America’s greats in comedy, banjo and Bluegrass.
Jerry Van Dyke
You remember him of course! He is the well-known brother of Dick Van
Dyke. Jerry came into his own later in life. He did not make it big
from the onset, but began to flow into our homes while playing
himself, the brother of Dick Van Dyke on The Dick Van Dyke Show. He
played dick Petrie brother "Stacey Petrie." Jerry, during one of his
most memorable episodes, had an issue of incredible shyness. On the
episode, he played a banjo. When sleeping, Jerry would be the most
comical, interesting and talented banjo player ever. On the other
hand, when not sleeping, Jerry would portray a half-witted, inept
and untalented individual. For one of the most memorable episodes,
look here: http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi1824587801/.
Steve Martin
Does banjo-playing flow in the comedic gene? Well whatever the
reason, the banjo is also a major love of comedian Steve Martin.
While he is one of the most well versed and celebrated comedians of
all time, he also has a command for playing the banjo. His talent is
low keyed, but unquestioned. Bluegrass is one of Steve Martin’s
favorite genre’s of music. He states that playing the banjo is a
passion and helps him relieve the stress of being a ‘star’. Steve
has appeared a number of times on air with David Letterman. He
played his banjo while on air. In one of his more memorable scenes,
the great Earl Scruggs along with three other celebrities
accompanied Steve. This episode was one that will go down in history
for David: http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi1824587801/. Not only
does he play an impressing banjo, he has a new album out entitled
‘The Crow’. Steve calls the banjo an “American Instrument.” He
contributes his love for the instrument to it capturing something
about the past for all Americans. Early in his career, Steve
paralleled some of his comedic routines with his love for the banjo.
He felt it an honor to be accompanied by the great Earl Scruggs when
on air. |
