More Steve Martin Dates

Longtime Martin fans are well aware of the comedian/actor/ writer’s prowess with the banjo. He received a Grammy for his 2009 album, The Crow: New Songs For The 5-String Banjo and his shows with Steep Canyon Rangers have been well received by fans as well as music purists. Yes, the man who once released an album called Comedy Is Not Pretty, is as serious about the banjo as he is about making you laugh.

The dates with the Steep Canyon Rangers are in support of his upcoming banjo album, Rare Bird Alert. Produced by Tony Trischka, the album features 13 new songs written by Martin with two numbers co-written with SCR, a live bluegrass version of his 1978 novelty hit “King Tut” and guest appearances by Dixie Chicks and Paul McCartney. Scheduled for a March 15 release, Rare Bird Alert will be available in three formats – CD, vinyl and deluxe version that will include specially created trading cards featuring performers on the album.

Here’s the rundown on Martin’s live appearances. The tour begins this week with sold out shows with the Steep Canyon Rangers in New York City, playing the Highline Ballroom March 14, Joe’s Pub March 15-17 and the Music Hall Of Willliamsburg March 19. Dates with SCR also include April 29-30 at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, May 18 in Portland, Maine, at the Merrill Auditorium, May 19 in Englewood, N.J., at the Bergen Performing Arts Center and May 22 in Charlotte, N.C., at Ovens Auditorium.

Other Martin/SCR stops include Knoxville (May 24); Chattanooga (May 26); White Creek, Tenn. (May 27), Memphis (May 28), Lexington (June 21) and Chautauqua, N.Y., July 1.

There is also a date on the books for the Steep Canyon Rangers without Martin – May 1 in Los Angeles at the Coronet.

The non-musical question-and-answer dates for Martin are March 29 in Worcester, Mass., at the Hanover Theater, March 30 in Albany, N.Y., at the Palace Theater, and May 25 in Rhode Island at the Providence Performing Arts Center.

Tina Fey will interview Martin April 19 in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. Announced this week, the presale begins today and ends tonight at 10 p.m. PST and the public onsale beings Friday, March 11 at 10 a.m. PST. Buying a $119 ticket for this special evening gets copies of Fey’s book, “Bossypants,” and Martin’s latest book, “An Object Of Beauty.” Those opting for the $49 tickets will receive copies of “Bossypants.” Fey will conduct a book signing after the show.

You can also catch Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers making the TV rounds, appearing on “Late Show With David Letterman” March 16, “The View” March 17, “The Colbert Report” March 21, the Ellen DeGeneres Show May 3 and TBS’ “Conan” May 3. For more information, check out SteveMartin.com.