I worked as a sound tech and worked with Lester and Earl about a dozen times. They had an amazing ability to remember names and I never felt like a stranger at their shows.
Lester’s home in Sparta, Tennessee was only a few miles from my grandmother’s farm. She would take me over there on Saturday’s occasionally while they were breaking horses in his barn lot and someone was always making music. Lester always left early enough to make it to the Opry and we always had the radio on to hear the music! Those were the days!
All those banjo players -- including Martin -- are very professional and obviously talented. But Scruggs is the only one whose playing is so effortless he looks like he could play that song in his sleep. A legend.
It's funny, because I thought the same thing. In his second solo, a look washes over his face like he's thinking "Should I get the steak and potato for dinner, or a plate of chicken and corn on the cob?.....oh yeah, I gotta finish this solo first."
I always tear up when I hear a bunch of musicians (or just 1) making music. I just think it is one of the noblest,beautiful things humans do: we make music and we share it. ♥️♥️♥️
I jammed a couple times in Mount Morris with some guitar/banjo/violin etc string players including my cousin Mar. I'm a professional classical flutist and singer/pianist. I was so totally outclassed by those fellows. Not by my cousin, though - she was using sheet music. Heh.
i think your math ( or memory) may be off, the description box said it was posted to youtube 17 years ago 2023 - 17 = 2006 I don't think it was posted to youtube 6 years before it was performed on CBS
Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs performed at the University of Mississippi during my freshman year. I was unfamiliar with their music and was blown away.
I live in southeast Tennessee and my family has been in the area a very long time. Being Appalachians, bluegrass has always been a part of our heritage, and as a kid I loved listening to the music my older family members would play on the guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. A cousin of mine who was born in 1936 and plays banjo and mandolin once told me that when this song came out in 1950 it quickly became, in his words, “the reddest red-hot thing out there”. Easy to see why. One of the most iconic bluegrass songs of all times, by the banjo grand master himself. RIP Earl.
Although he's on stage with a legend, Steve Martin can hold his own. So many people forget just how damn good he is on the banjo. Saw him in Asheville, NC & he tore it UP!
It's not hyperbolic to say Foggy Mountain Breakdown is one of the most influential and most enjoyed songs of the 20th Century. It's tough to find someone who's toes or fingers don't instinctively start tapping as soon as the opening notes are played. I was a working musician for a time and I came across a lot of people who liked and disliked a lot of styles of music, but I've never met anyone who doesn't like Foggy Mountain Breakdown.
Right up until the end Earl played that banjo so effortlessly it was like he was mindlessly tapping his fingers on a table. Just a pure legend. What really made me smile though was watching Paul go get it here. Wasn't expecting that.
All fantastic musicians have that special gift, that says...ahhh. I can do that on my instrument too..Paul is one of those guys. There is a guy in the UK that loves to play piano in the mall(I think) that is a huge fan of "Boogie Woogie" & will rock the house when ever he plays. Brendan Kavanagh. Absolutely brilliant. Check him out.
You can tell David Letterman was impressed - he didn't even attempt a wisecrack when the group was finished, just congratulated them on their outstanding performance.
Grew up on Bluegrass when lived in Ky. Everyone carried their instruments with them, Uncle and Aunt played banjo, Mom played guitar! We had no TV, didn't need one, live music was better!
Robert Michael, Yours isn't a bad analogy however it probably doesnt come from the perspective of a trumpet player. As a musician like Satchmo literally "sang" through his instrument. You can't do this on stringed instruments. The tone quality is always a product of the person or machines who made the guitar. Not the guitarist himself. Whereas Armstrong's trumpet sound was predominantly the production of his own feeling. The trumpet embouchure is very much like a human voice. And no one would compare the human voice to guitar or banjo. Much as I like Scruggs? Your comparison is lacking that element. The trumpet is a far more difficult instrument than the guitar. Or any other instrument for that matter. Esp in the upper register of which Pops was most fluent.
I have Steve Martin's album "The Crow" (which most of you probably have, too). I love that he is so completely serious here, focused on the music, no clowning around or distancing himself from how good this older music really is.
I heard an interview with him where he sort of off handedly said that his true love was the banjo and he got into comedy because it paid the bills. He did not imply at all that he wished he had been a banjo picker and not a comedian, but his heart is with his banjo. He is luck that he can do both. He also admits that his comedy has sort of run its course and he is glad that he can spend more serious time with the music.
You can't know what this means to me . My Dad and his brothers played every musical instrument known to man 👨 He had 7 brothers! Thanks so much for.the memories ♡♡♡♡♡
I am now a blubbering mess in tears because I love BANJO music sooo much. These gentlemen are treasures. Pity we can't clone them. JUST SO MUCH TALENT.
A note for all those commenters here who are complaining about Paul Shaffer's participation and how he "ruined it". Here is a quote from Pete Wernick, one of the members of the group (standing next to Steve Martin), about that performance: "A fair number of people seemed to think Paul Shaffer somehow “horned in on” our band. In fact, Paul was invited by Earl upon our arrival at the Late Show studios. Paul had played on Earl's recent Grammy-winning cut of the same song, and showed some great speed-hand technique during the rehearsals and the taping." GRAMMY WINNING. THE SAME SONG. So get over yourselves. You might dislike someone, but try not to do it out of ignorance.
Paul Shaefer is a great musician!! Check him out playing Runaway in 1987 on Letterman... Also, Pete Wernick (Dr. Banjo) is great!!! Been listening to Pete and (Waldo) since the late 70s with Hot Rize and Red Knuckles!!!!!!!!!
There is a REASON Paul Schaffer is known as Mr. Entertainment...(aka Bikes Brothers) ..He.has a talented and love of music. Seriously....point to ANYONE who can rip a 4bar piano bluegrass like that? Priceless....
@@jkholtgreve Right!!! Ive seen Pete Seeger twice years back, and once in the 80s with Arlo Guthrie... Here's a good one for you... We saw John McKuen and the Nitty Gritty Dirt band last year on their 50th anniv. tour, they had a video montage playing in the background, with John McKuen, Steve Martin, and Jerry Garcia holding their banjos.... I spoke with John after the show. It turns out that John McKuen, Steve Martin, and Jerry Garcia had the same banjo teacher!!!!!!!
God had noting to do with it. Steve worked his ass off, endless hours of practice and then more practice. God had nothing to do with it. If god was involved, there would be nothing to admire about Steve. Good on ya' Steve. You deserve every bit of credit for your talent.
look up Steve Martin ... ( comedian ) playing banjo on far left . he began his career playing banjo - on the sidewlaks of San Franciso & when his fingers got tired he used to tell jokes.
Well, this was right out of the blue for me! I've never heard such talented banjo playing before, and I didn't know that Steve Martin could even play a banjo! Earl Scruggs, of course, was his usual legendary self, too, and obviously the star of this show as well. What a video!
"Earl Scruggs And Friends - Foggy Mountain Breakdown" brought me here. I played that song over and over again, at least a dozen times this weekend on my way to my property out in the country. Steve Martin peaked my curiosity in that song. Thanks for posting this!
When I was young I always dismissed this kind of music, but as I grew and studied musicians in many genres I feel more amazed and awed at the talent and skill with these musicians.
steve thomas I don't know, Earl is one of the most famous banjo players to ever live and a father of all bluegrass, I'm sure he's enough of his own draw.
Steve Martin had enough class to not draw unneeded attention to himself. He was just "a bandmate" at this point. Unlike in today's "attention whore" society where everyone needs to be Instagram famous and the center of attention.
Such a pleasure seeing EARL SCRUGGS, the MASTER! Steve Martin is close to catching up to Scruggs. I was shocked the first time I saw Steve Martin play his banjo. He's one of the few banjo players that's good enough to play with Earl Scruggs.
All these people dissing Paul Schafer do realize that his bit was probably planned, right? In bluegrass (especially instrumentals) it is normal for everyone to do a solo to showcase their talents (save the bass and sometimes the guitar). I personally think he is very much embracing the spirit of the genre.
I love Steve Martin in a way I can't quite articulate. I get this sense of warmth and familiarity from him, that I've somehow known him forever. Maybe because I grew up on his movies, but I strongly feel that he is almost like a father figure to me. It's wierd I know, but I can't help but love him and I always have and will.
Read his excellent memoir, especially the part that he writes without self pity about having a father who was jealous because his own show business dreams didn't come true. The man was envious of Steve's every talent, his happiness, every success he had. A small, small man with a son who was multi-talented, loved and a genius but suffered having that man for a father.
"Maybe because I grew up on his movies" Not 'maybe'. Get real. You're a simp. Just like the simps, who joined the Air Force after watching Top Gun. :'D
WONDERFUL! The greatest banjo player ever (Earl Scruggs) with other amazing pickers & Steve Martin picking right along & then having the class to thank each musician by name.
Insane talent all around that stage! Loved hearing Paul on keys! Can't recall ever hearing piano played during a performance of Foggy Mountain Breakdown, and I've heard that song countless times. Nearly unbelievable that he could keep time with the banjos!
I play this version. of it. There are some variations, I learned the original, the Earl Scruggs version. Here's the thing about the banjo. It's a friend magnet. So, if you don't want friends, don't learn to play it. Do, and... well... people come at you. "Let's jam together!" I was just... uh... (bear in mind, I've played since I was 8, and I'm 48 now.) I'd play by the poolside in San Diego, and folks would do that. I picked on my front porch in Fremont, Seattle, and they asked me to perform for their birthday party, and they didn't even know me, but once I was in, started playing, the birthday boy was all, "See! I told you there'd be live music!" I'd finish the set, and I'd just kinda be picking off to the side, laying down a little background music, and I'd ask the people next to me, "Sorry, is this too loud? Don't want to interrupt your conversation," And they went, "NO! Play more!" "Okay!" But this is the version I play.
I've been playing outlaw country and finger picking the guitar for many years. I recently bought a banjo and and picking away at it. Such a happy instrument.
I don't know what year this was but I was quite surprised to see Earl Scruggs with Steve on David Letterman! My mother used to listen to him in the 50's and he was with Bill Monroe in the early 40's and yet here he still is/was on tv in what....the 2000's!!??
he's been a professional banjo played since 1945 so he might have had a bit of practice. Grew up in a musical family where practicing music was all he did with his brother and sister. As kids they would stand back to back outside the house, with a guitar or banjo in each's hand, start playing a tune and walk around the house in opposite directions and work on keeping a strict beat so when they met on the other side of the house they would each be on the same note,. His parents were friends with very good banjo and fiddle players who even in the 20s and 30s had made records
The great players of any instrument make it look so easy that any schmuck can pick up the instument and do it...but they can't. Why? Read Tony's post above mine.
Steve Martin, amazing to see him play the banjo here. When you see great actors/actresses humbly show other talents, the inspiration they give is a real blessing. Jeff Goldblum's jazz piano, Dudley Moore another great jazz pianist, et al. Too many actresses who can sing as well. We're lucky they share all their talents to keep us inspired - love Steve Martin's playing in this clip...
Paul schaffer is pretty dang good on them keys ... notice how steve ensured the lesser known people got top billing and he and Scruggs got bottom so the others would be known ... and he didnt hesitate he slammed it in before any words could be exchanged
@billymac23454 couldn't disagree more. the level of talent and respect that paul shaffer brought to the musical guests were always a highlight of the show. so many genres and yet he always sounded like he had played with each artist/group for years. i mean, listen to his solo; he starts out with some kind of honky-tonk/jazz/ragtime/fusion thing that was totally original, then transfers seamlessly to the same melody as the banjos for the last half. genius combined with a class act. kudos (eh).
10 million views, 35K likes... Really? Awesome rendition of Foggy Mountain Breakdown, with several of my 'banjo heroes. Especially Mr Scruggs. Was raised on Flatt and Scruggs and a lot more, Bluegrass is in my rock n roll blood. It's in good company. Check out Steve and the Seagulls, Thunderstruck!
My pop just lended me his banjo that he never really learned to pick and it’s signed by Scruggs. I played for 30 minutes basing it off my guitar picking skills and actually impressed myself. Definitely won’t quit till I can play something like this.😂
Earl Scruggs has a banjo method book you should get. If you fingerpick guitar you’ll be able to pick up Earl’s rolls, patterns, and tunes fairly quickly.
Martin Short had described his friend Steve Martin this way - "It's all fun and games until the banjos come out."
Love 💕 it! Thanks 🙏
Talented in so many different ways. Steve Martin.
That's great! May I use it?
No shit😮😮 He is amazing. They all are.
AWESOME 😎 Steve martin and Earl Scruggs... Best of Banjos
I worked as a sound tech and worked with Lester and Earl about a dozen times. They had an amazing ability to remember names and I never felt like a stranger at their shows.
I am listening to "foggy mtn. brkdown.they r very good.
Lester’s home in Sparta, Tennessee was only a few miles from my grandmother’s farm. She would take me over there on Saturday’s occasionally while they were breaking horses in his barn lot and someone was always making music. Lester always left early enough to make it to the Opry and we always had the radio on to hear the music! Those were the days!
LEGENDS! I grew up going to bluegrass festivals that my late uncle played at and met several of the biggies. I wish I 'd pad attention back then.
I taught them how to play. True story.
@@randomchaos9359😂😂😂❤❤😅
All those banjo players -- including Martin -- are very professional and obviously talented. But Scruggs is the only one whose playing is so effortless he looks like he could play that song in his sleep. A legend.
He probably could!
It's funny, because I thought the same thing. In his second solo, a look washes over his face like he's thinking "Should I get the steak and potato for dinner, or a plate of chicken and corn on the cob?.....oh yeah, I gotta finish this solo first."
it's probably the 10,000th time he's played it
Scruggs should know it, he wrote it!
In his defense, he's played it basically every night for 50 years
I always tear up when I hear a bunch of musicians (or just 1) making music. I just think it is one of the noblest,beautiful things humans do: we make music and we share it. ♥️♥️♥️
Absolutely true!
It can be a transcendent experience to play with others who you’re in sync with. Magical when that happens.
I thought it was only me who has such sentimental thoughts. Stirring music.
Wait until we get to Heaven. The music there will blow you away.
I jammed a couple times in Mount Morris with some guitar/banjo/violin etc string players including my cousin Mar. I'm a professional classical flutist and singer/pianist. I was so totally outclassed by those fellows. Not by my cousin, though - she was using sheet music. Heh.
I remember watching this when it aired (in 2006.) It was exhilarating. We lost Earl Scruggs in 2012. RIP maestro 🙏😢
i think your math ( or memory) may be off, the description box said it was posted to youtube 17 years ago 2023 - 17 = 2006 I don't think it was posted to youtube 6 years before it was performed on CBS
@@stevevernon1978 2006 is the correct date, just Googled it. Thanks for the heads up-just revised and corrected orig comment-Cheers! 👍
@@michaelfontanelli2450 glad to be of service. (on the other hand, I don't know when it was aired, only when it went on to RUclips.)
Sept. 24 fell on a Saturday back in 2005.
Great stuff…who are the other banjoists?
Steve Martin. Does stand up. Acts. Sings. Plays banjo. Collects fine art.
Is there anything this man can't do?
And author!
He has also written some wonderful books
A true renaissance man!
Pick up American foxes while wearing tight pants that show off his bulges.
Get out of the vacuum cleaner.
May God bless these wonderful musicians for keeping this genre of music alive. RIP Earl Scruggs.
I'm so thankful that I was born at a time that allows me to appreciate the pure genius of their talent .
So cool that Steve Martin introduced the other banjo players at the end. They could easily have been overlooked with Earl Scruggs on the stage.
I thought so too
I totally agree with you on that!
He showed them deserved respect.
Nice touch.
He introduced everybody INCLUDING Earl Scruggs!
The players, left to right - Steve Martin, Pete Wernick, Charles Wood, Tony Ellis, Earl Scruggs. Brilliant.
Pete Wernick was a passenger on UA flight 232 that lost hydraulics and crashed in Sioux City, Iowa on July 19, 1989.
@@GrayGoosePNW - and survived! Hadn't known that.
Thank you. I had only known two.
@@dalewetzel3029 Steve Martin sucks at banjo
@paulkersey1007 you suck at breathing. Stop
Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs performed at the University of Mississippi during my freshman year. I was unfamiliar with their music and was blown away.
I live in southeast Tennessee and my family has been in the area a very long time. Being Appalachians, bluegrass has always been a part of our heritage, and as a kid I loved listening to the music my older family members would play on the guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. A cousin of mine who was born in 1936 and plays banjo and mandolin once told me that when this song came out in 1950 it quickly became, in his words, “the reddest red-hot thing out there”. Easy to see why. One of the most iconic bluegrass songs of all times, by the banjo grand master himself. RIP Earl.
Although he's on stage with a legend, Steve Martin can hold his own. So many people forget just how damn good he is on the banjo. Saw him in Asheville, NC & he tore it UP!
Actually Steve IS a legendary banjo player in his own right.
@@jkrolak7978 I'd have to agree with you on that one. I think the best testament to just how good they are, is just how easy they make it look.
Steve born in Waco, TX. Explains banjo and comedy style.
I live in Asheville. Does he still live here?
@@darthnihilus511 As far as I know, he does still have a house here, but idk how much time he's in town...
It's not hyperbolic to say Foggy Mountain Breakdown is one of the most influential and most enjoyed songs of the 20th Century. It's tough to find someone who's toes or fingers don't instinctively start tapping as soon as the opening notes are played. I was a working musician for a time and I came across a lot of people who liked and disliked a lot of styles of music, but I've never met anyone who doesn't like Foggy Mountain Breakdown.
Literally sitting here tapping away w my foot lol!
Indeed
"You can't play a sad song on the banjo."
-- Steve Martin
Right up until the end Earl played that banjo so effortlessly it was like he was mindlessly tapping his fingers on a table. Just a pure legend. What really made me smile though was watching Paul go get it here. Wasn't expecting that.
Only The real couple could have their own theme music!
BBonnie& Clyde!!
All fantastic musicians have that special gift, that says...ahhh. I can do that on my instrument too..Paul is one of those guys. There is a guy in the UK that loves to play piano in the mall(I think) that is a huge fan of "Boogie Woogie" & will rock the house when ever he plays. Brendan Kavanagh. Absolutely brilliant. Check him out.
Absolute fun to Behold!! True talent.
Paul likely improvised the solo ..his style mastery and playing are impressive
You can tell David Letterman was impressed - he didn't even attempt a wisecrack when the group was finished, just congratulated them on their outstanding performance.
and shook every hand
He knew he was in the presence of true greatness.
is there anything steve martin cannot do....what an amazing talent he is and seemingly a perfect gentleman. a once in a lifetime talent
He'll still be a "wild and crazy guy" in my eyes!! Pure talent!
Actually twice in a lifetime, if you count me.
Well....to start with, he cant act he cant sing and his comedy sucks
@@seauke1 Tens of millions would disagree
Absolutely!!!
Earl Scruggs was to Bluegrass, same as Louis Armstrong was to Jazz.... Legendary.
Grew up on Bluegrass when lived in Ky. Everyone carried their instruments with them, Uncle and Aunt played banjo, Mom played guitar! We had no TV, didn't need one, live music was better!
Earl would never have gotten his rep without Lester.
@@jammur01 And a guy named Snuffy Jenkins helped originate the three-fingered style of Earl Scruggs. He was from Columbia, S.C. I met him once.
Absolutely!!!!!
Robert Michael,
Yours isn't a bad analogy however it probably doesnt come from the perspective of a trumpet player.
As a musician like Satchmo literally "sang" through his instrument.
You can't do this on stringed instruments. The tone quality is always a product of the person or machines who made the guitar. Not the guitarist himself.
Whereas Armstrong's trumpet sound was predominantly the production of his own feeling. The trumpet embouchure is very much like a human voice. And no one would compare the human voice to guitar or banjo. Much as I like Scruggs? Your comparison is lacking that element.
The trumpet is a far more difficult instrument than the guitar. Or any other instrument for that matter. Esp in the upper register of which Pops was most fluent.
I never get tired of listening to Foggy Mountain Breakdown especially when Earl Scruggs or Steve Martin is playing it!
Bonnie & Clyde brought me here years ago…I can see the car chases now lol!
I have Steve Martin's album "The Crow" (which most of you probably have, too). I love that he is so completely serious here, focused on the music, no clowning around or distancing himself from how good this older music really is.
I heard an interview with him where he sort of off handedly said that his true love was the banjo and he got into comedy because it paid the bills. He did not imply at all that he wished he had been a banjo picker and not a comedian, but his heart is with his banjo. He is luck that he can do both. He also admits that his comedy has sort of run its course and he is glad that he can spend more serious time with the music.
He found his special purpose.
Found this 15 years after it aired..ABSOLUTELY AWESOME STEVE MARTIN...I THINK THAT YOU ARE STILL "A WILD & CRAZY GUY"
Seeing Steve Martin play with a legend like Scruggs is awesome. I knew he played banjo but that’s great.
Steve Martin is doing his best to keep Banjo music alive and growing.
Steve himself is a banjo legend.
You can't know what this means to me . My Dad and his brothers played every musical instrument known to man 👨 He had 7 brothers! Thanks so much for.the memories ♡♡♡♡♡
Earl Scruggs gave me Blue grass fever 60 years ago, every time I start to get better, Steve Martin re infects me. Love this arrangement.
I tear up every time I hear good old blue grass like this. Reminds me of wonderful memories of my dad and his friends playing.
Letterman's booking person: "Look, you can't ALL play banjos at the same time..."
Everyone in Earl Scruggs' band: "Oh, yeah?"
did that really happen? LOL
Hold my Beer..🙂
Well, there IS a mandolin
There's definitely at least 1 guitar in there too. And somebody playing the bass notes.
Hold my beer!
I am now a blubbering mess in tears because I love BANJO music sooo much. These gentlemen are treasures. Pity we can't clone them. JUST SO MUCH TALENT.
Amazing!! Love the banjo and Steve Martin is humbled by the surrounding greatness. He's pretty good also!
I’ve heard before that, if he had his druthers, he’d be known as “world-famous banjo player Steve Martin, and hey, have you heard he’s funny, too?”
I'm so glad Steve got Earl out to play for the "mainstream" before he passed.
A note for all those commenters here who are complaining about Paul Shaffer's participation and how he "ruined it". Here is a quote from Pete Wernick, one of the members of the group (standing next to Steve Martin), about that performance:
"A fair number of people seemed to think Paul Shaffer somehow “horned in on” our band. In fact, Paul was invited by Earl upon our arrival at the Late Show studios. Paul had played on Earl's recent Grammy-winning cut of the same song, and showed some great speed-hand technique during the rehearsals and the taping."
GRAMMY WINNING. THE SAME SONG. So get over yourselves. You might dislike someone, but try not to do it out of ignorance.
Paul Shaefer is a great musician!! Check him out playing Runaway in 1987 on Letterman... Also, Pete Wernick (Dr. Banjo) is great!!! Been listening to Pete and (Waldo) since the late 70s with Hot Rize and Red Knuckles!!!!!!!!!
I thought he nailed it. Love hearing Paul play anything.
There is a REASON Paul Schaffer is known as Mr. Entertainment...(aka Bikes Brothers)
..He.has a talented and love of music. Seriously....point to ANYONE who can rip a 4bar piano bluegrass like that?
Priceless....
Sorry... BLUES Brothers!
@@gduanerollinsjr3693 He also wiggled in to the Beatles Hall of Fame induction-- and kind of directed all the other musicians that were there!!!!!!
Man, that banjo excellence. Martin shows true love and skill at this as he has followed the path for 50yrs.
I’ve never heard that song before, and I’m blown away. I knew there was music like that, but never actually listened before… wow! I want more
Amazing! One of the world's greatest comedians is also one of the world's greatest banjo players. I mean this most sincerely. God Bless you Steve!
He isn’t, but Earl Scruggs certainly is. That’s not to say Steve Martin is not accomplished - he is.
Everybody's missing Pete Wernick, of Hot Rize... They call him Dr. Banjo... And he's been teaching and playing for over 40 years
@@thomasfoss9963 As an educator Pete Seeger was no slouch either. Wouldn’t be shocked if Steve worked off his books/records when he was a kid.
@@jkholtgreve Right!!! Ive seen Pete Seeger twice years back, and once in the 80s with Arlo Guthrie... Here's a good one for you... We saw John McKuen and the Nitty Gritty Dirt band last year on their 50th anniv. tour, they had a video montage playing in the background, with John McKuen, Steve Martin, and Jerry Garcia holding their banjos.... I spoke with John after the show. It turns out that John McKuen, Steve Martin, and Jerry Garcia had the same banjo teacher!!!!!!!
God had noting to do with it. Steve worked his ass off, endless hours of practice and then more practice. God had nothing to do with it. If god was involved, there would be nothing to admire about Steve. Good on ya' Steve. You deserve every bit of credit for your talent.
RIP Earl Scruggs, Roy Clark, and Jimmy Henley..the 3 greatest banjo players who ever lived
*cough* Stringbean *cough*
@@genericfighter RIP Stringbean and Estelle also
Sonny Osborne right up there
The thing about Roy Clark is he could play just about anything well
@@genericfighter beat me to it
Scruggs just cool and relaxed as always.. he just always seems so so comfortable.. the banjo is just an extension of his body and moves so naturally
Glorious music from wonderful musicians I would loved to have known. Dressed well, no foul language and representative of a world we have no longer.
look up Steve Martin ... ( comedian ) playing banjo on far left .
he began his career playing banjo - on the sidewlaks of San Franciso & when his fingers got tired he used to tell jokes.
Watch Mike Huckabee's show -- there are plenty of performers today you'd love to see.
I remember Steve doing Nixon, saying "I'll tell you where the tapes are, but first, here's 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown.'"
Well, this was right out of the blue for me! I've never heard such talented banjo playing before, and I didn't know that Steve Martin could even play a banjo! Earl Scruggs, of course, was his usual legendary self, too, and obviously the star of this show as well. What a video!
Steve Martin ... began his career playing banjo - on the sidewlaks of San Franciso & when his fingers got tired he used to tell jokes.
I don’t think anybody’s cool enough to have foggy Mountain breakdown on the talk show today in 2020
Today's all we got is a bunch of yuppies
They all suck nowadays.
No, too busy trying to trash President Trump
@@amlafrance1918 so you can get some communism with biden?
There's nobody even cool enough anymore to have a talk show.
"Earl Scruggs And Friends - Foggy Mountain Breakdown" brought me here. I played that song over and over again, at least a dozen times this weekend on my way to my property out in the country. Steve Martin peaked my curiosity in that song. Thanks for posting this!
When I was young I always dismissed this kind of music, but as I grew and studied musicians in many genres I feel more amazed and awed at the talent and skill with these musicians.
Always brings a smile to my face to see and hear these guys plaging Bluegrass at it's best.
Steve Martin has won 5 Grammy Awards. 2 for comedy & 3 for his banjo.
And, just a great guy.!
What goddamn legend. I love him so much
I've only known him for his weird comedies and "King Tut". It's great to see he's a banjo picker too. What talent!
Just to be included in this group says Steve is a hell of a banjo player. Great video!
So he's a better picker then a comedian
Martin holds his own pretty well.Scruggs is the master.
Life hack: Playing this while driving in any car adds 49 horsepower.
wrt Paul Shaefer- can we get him and Satriani on stage together?
Oop
did you jump the bridge and outrun Boss Hogg ?
YEEE HAWWW !
I can attest to this fact
Steve Martin was certainly the draw for many on this but hopefully some will recognize the talent on display. Incredible!
steve thomas I don't know, Earl is one of the most famous banjo players to ever live and a father of all bluegrass, I'm sure he's enough of his own draw.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 Earl Scruggs was always the draw. Martin was a bonus feature
Steve Martin had enough class to not draw unneeded attention to himself. He was just "a bandmate" at this point. Unlike in today's "attention whore" society where everyone needs to be Instagram famous and the center of attention.
@@pikehunter23750 Well said
What I particularly love about this beautiful take? That they ALL adhere to full two-verse phrasing, in this song.
Such a pleasure seeing EARL SCRUGGS, the MASTER!
Steve Martin is close to catching up to Scruggs. I was shocked the first time I saw Steve Martin play his banjo. He's one of the few banjo players that's good enough to play with Earl Scruggs.
Love this collection of true history then & now !!! ❤👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
I've watched this probably a hundred times over the last ten years and never grow tired of it. Play on guys.
This is my fave banjo instrumental of all. Steve Martin is so good, I was surpised to know he played professionally.
Hello friend, how are you doing today
I love banjo Music & I'm always impressed by how fast their nimble fingers fly over the strings!
This is why I have always appreciated Steve Martin as an actor - he's also an outstanding musician!
All these people dissing Paul Schafer do realize that his bit was probably planned, right? In bluegrass (especially instrumentals) it is normal for everyone to do a solo to showcase their talents (save the bass and sometimes the guitar). I personally think he is very much embracing the spirit of the genre.
I agree. Two things, he joined in the spirit of the tune, and he did a hell of a job on a piano on a piece written for banjo!
Yes, it was planned. Very little in TV happens that isn't.
Obviously it was planned, and he did a fantastic job.
he killed it
Schafer started out with a jazzy swing type of sound, but quickly got into banjo-style and really nailed it!
i just absolutely love Foggy Mountain Breakdown, and i love this live version!
Earl Scruggs was so smooth and easy, with perfect timing and fretting. He is a legend and was a living legend, if there ever was one.
Earl Scruggs was the best thing that ever happened to a banjo.
As if the world needed more reasons to love Steve. God bless you, man.
I love Steve Martin in a way I can't quite articulate. I get this sense of warmth and familiarity from him, that I've somehow known him forever. Maybe because I grew up on his movies, but I strongly feel that he is almost like a father figure to me. It's wierd I know, but I can't help but love him and I always have and will.
Read his excellent memoir, especially the part that he writes without self pity about having a father who was jealous because his own show business dreams didn't come true. The man was envious of Steve's every talent, his happiness, every success he had. A small, small man with a son who was multi-talented, loved and a genius but suffered having that man for a father.
And his novels are excellent, also, of course!
"Maybe because I grew up on his movies"
Not 'maybe'. Get real. You're a simp. Just like the simps, who joined the Air Force after watching Top Gun. :'D
Wow!! These guys are the greatest at banjo playing. Steve deserves to be there. Good job Steve.
WONDERFUL! The greatest banjo player ever (Earl Scruggs) with other amazing pickers & Steve Martin picking right along & then having the class to thank each musician by name.
Can't watch anything with Steve Martin without liking it, he's a multi-talented legend. Loved him on SNL.
Love this king of music and add Steve Martin and Earl Scruggs, banjo music doesn’t get any better.
Missing Lester Flatt.
nothing closer to the gates of haven than a man with a banjo, Thank you so much for sharing your talents with all of us
Absolutely the best fun!
Yep. He was standing close to the gates of heaven with one foot on a banana peel.
They're all so stoic! Not cracking a smile until the very end. That's a show, without showboating! What musicians.
Great music never gets old.
Charles Wood's solo from 1:52 on is the bomb. Look what he's doing. Unbelievable. Like a clockwork. I've seen it a thousand times.
He is the ChatGPT of banjo players: all technician and no soul.
@@intentionalhyperbole James Galway said the same about a group of classically trained Japanese musicians he was conducting.
Insane talent all around that stage!
Loved hearing Paul on keys! Can't recall ever hearing piano played during a performance of Foggy Mountain Breakdown, and I've heard that song countless times. Nearly unbelievable that he could keep time with the banjos!
Steve Martin put this history together, thank you sir!
"They didn't start chasing us until you put on that getaway music!"
Thank you :) Was looking for this comment
@@johnnynorrisjr.39 The Simpson's, right?
how in the world could anyone thumb down this?????? Fabulous!!!!
I play this version. of it. There are some variations, I learned the original, the Earl Scruggs version. Here's the thing about the banjo. It's a friend magnet. So, if you don't want friends, don't learn to play it. Do, and... well... people come at you. "Let's jam together!" I was just... uh... (bear in mind, I've played since I was 8, and I'm 48 now.) I'd play by the poolside in San Diego, and folks would do that. I picked on my front porch in Fremont, Seattle, and they asked me to perform for their birthday party, and they didn't even know me, but once I was in, started playing, the birthday boy was all, "See! I told you there'd be live music!" I'd finish the set, and I'd just kinda be picking off to the side, laying down a little background music, and I'd ask the people next to me, "Sorry, is this too loud? Don't want to interrupt your conversation," And they went, "NO! Play more!" "Okay!"
But this is the version I play.
I've been playing outlaw country and finger picking the guitar for many years. I recently bought a banjo and and picking away at it. Such a happy instrument.
Just makes me smile! How gracious Steve Martin is amongst all that talent makes me smile even more.
"It's all fun and games until the banjos come out." - Martin Short
THIS IS AMERICANA! Can we also give credit to Paul Schafer for being one of the most amazing musicians in the planet? The man is unreal!
The man can play!!
Yes! I love that Paul jumped right in with the piano and made it fit with the style and play. Just well done!
Yeah, the pride of thunder bay is a special guy. I love him.
It IS Americana, like Bo Diddley, It's music made out of poverty.
@@NormAppleton Americana by a Canadiana. Love it!
A thousand years of musicianship brilliantly blended!
Great players. Some of the best around. Pete Wernick is legendary. But man when Scruggs plays, it's a whole other level.
I get chills everytime I watch this.. Incredible music!!
@Hello Michael how are you doing
THANK YOU GENTLEMEN. yOU PLAYED YOUR HEARTS OUT AND I LOVED EVERY NOTE OF IT.
DAYUM!!
Too bad I can only smash the LIKE button once in my lifetime for this.
#ceasefirenow
@@danirial6487 I agree. The Palestinians should cease fire, since they started it.....5,000 years ago.
@@danirial6487based reply
I don't know what year this was but I was quite surprised to see Earl Scruggs with Steve on David Letterman! My mother used to listen to him in the 50's and he was with Bill Monroe in the early 40's and yet here he still is/was on tv in what....the 2000's!!??
Wow, Earl Scruggs made it look effortless. A true master!
Cynthia1850
I always thought he had the look of "this is too easy" on his face when he played.
Cynthia1850 I have seen him twice. Once with Lester Flatt and once with the Earl Scruggs review
he's been a professional banjo played since 1945 so he might have had a bit of practice. Grew up in a musical family where practicing music was all he did with his brother and sister. As kids they would stand back to back outside the house, with a guitar or banjo in each's hand, start playing a tune and walk around the house in opposite directions and work on keeping a strict beat so when they met on the other side of the house they would each be on the same note,. His parents were friends with very good banjo and fiddle players who even in the 20s and 30s had made records
The great players of any instrument make it look so easy that any schmuck can pick up the instument and do it...but they can't. Why? Read Tony's post above mine.
Well the modern 3 finger style of playing banjo is called "Scruggs Style"....
Just WOW ! Thank you all for sharing your musical talents with us.
I absolutely love to watch the fingers of Banjo pickers! Move so fast, amazing!
Steve Martin, amazing to see him play the banjo here. When you see great actors/actresses humbly show other talents, the inspiration they give is a real blessing. Jeff Goldblum's jazz piano, Dudley Moore another great jazz pianist, et al. Too many actresses who can sing as well. We're lucky they share all their talents to keep us inspired - love Steve Martin's playing in this clip...
R.I.P. Earl Scruggs, we'll never forget you !
What a talent Steve Martin is!! That being said, the Highlight of this sing is the INSANE PIANO SOLO!! UNREAL!!
Paul schaffer is pretty dang good on them keys ... notice how steve ensured the lesser known people got top billing and he and Scruggs got bottom so the others would be known ... and he didnt hesitate he slammed it in before any words could be exchanged
thought the piano break detracted from the overall tune, it was almost like it was a gatecrasher at a party.
@@billymac23454agree!! Unnecessary.
@billymac23454 couldn't disagree more. the level of talent and respect that paul shaffer brought to the musical guests were always a highlight of the show. so many genres and yet he always sounded like he had played with each artist/group for years. i mean, listen to his solo; he starts out with some kind of honky-tonk/jazz/ragtime/fusion thing that was totally original, then transfers seamlessly to the same melody as the banjos for the last half. genius combined with a class act. kudos (eh).
I loved the piano part. Incredible.
I don't think I seen that many banjos played at one time. Love it!
Still as incredible Foggy mountain breakdown, I discovered it in 2013 and today I still listen to it as much, it creates a lot of atmosphere 👍👍
5 strings, 3 fingers, and more notes to the bar than I can count; the music has moved me for most of my life, just wish I could play.
I had a coworker who used to play this on his banjo almost every night 15 minutes before quitting time
And it *looks* like nothing is happening, but your ears say different...
10 million views, 35K likes... Really? Awesome rendition of Foggy Mountain Breakdown, with several of my 'banjo heroes. Especially Mr Scruggs. Was raised on Flatt and Scruggs and a lot more, Bluegrass is in my rock n roll blood. It's in good company. Check out Steve and the Seagulls, Thunderstruck!
Fingers dancing like flames, hot and nimble! Absolutely beautiful.
Very respectful, Steve Martin naming the players.
Wish I could have been in the audience for this, truly epic talent.
God Bless Mr. Earl Scruggs, the pioneer of 3-finger picking Banjo technique ~ Rest in Peace Sir and many Thanks.
Impossible to watch without smiling.
When the world was normal ahhh
My pop just lended me his banjo that he never really learned to pick and it’s signed by Scruggs. I played for 30 minutes basing it off my guitar picking skills and actually impressed myself. Definitely won’t quit till I can play something like this.😂
I’m buying my first rig this year ASAP:)
Earl Scruggs has a banjo method book you should get. If you fingerpick guitar you’ll be able to pick up Earl’s rolls, patterns, and tunes fairly quickly.
Wonderful America music!! thank you Steve Martin, Earl Scruggs, Keith Warnick, Tony Allen, Chuckie Wood and Jim Beam! !!
Ineluctable Smith That's Pete Wernick of "Hot Rize"--His wife is the guitar player in the background----
Peter Wernick known as Dr. Banjo for his science education and for being one of the great banjo educators and teachers
Wish they had Glen Campbell, Jerry Reed, Buck Owens and Roy Clark up there!
Then it would have been Hee-Haw
jerry reed was pretty darn good I liked eat bound and down
@@jamespfitz and that would have been great.
That would have been awesome!
@@jayrowe6473 Without Junior Samples? I don't think so.
I just love this stuff, can't get enough! Great talents on the stage that night!
Everyone looks like they are working so hard and then Earl Scruggs takes his turn and he just makes it look effortless.