The Banjo & Steve Martin

Sometimes people just don't get it. They think the banjo is a joke. An instrument that only hillbillies, rednecks and pecker-heads play. Oh, and bluegrass musicians.

It's almost impossible to play a slow, sad song on the banjo. Even if you could - it wouldn't sound right. And even if it did sound right - why would you? Because the banjo is such a joyful instrument. It cries out for bright, upbeat happy music. Maybe that's why, when the American actor Steve Martin played a slow air on his banjo for Diane Keaton, the audience laughed!

But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. What - you didn't know Steve Martin played the banjo? Well you do now. Steve, apparently has a great love for the banjo, and has learnt to play it with great skill, as you can see in the YouTube videos embedded below. Which brings us back to Diane Keaton.

When Steve Martin was celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors several years ago, Diane Keaton sang a song at the event in his honour. On April 9, 2007, when Keaton was feted in the Film Society of Lincoln Center's annual Gala Tribute, Steve Martin returned the favor by composing and playing a tune for her - on his banjo.

Unfortunately, since the performance was being provided by a well known comedian, and since that comedian was using a banjo, many in the audience thought it was a joke and laughed.

And laughed.

And laughed some more.

In fact, the only person who wasn't laughing seemed to be Steve Martin!



What a pity. The instrumental was a lovely gesture from Steve, and he played it with great sincerity for Diane Keaton, but sometimes people just don't get it. And this was one of those times.

Here's another video of Steve Martin performing Foggy Mountain Breakdown on the David Letterman Show, with some of the greatest bluegrass musicians alive. Enjoy.

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Introducing - Susie Keynes

Let me say at the outset -- I am not in Susie's employ. Nor was I paid to film and spend hours creating the clips you can find on her YouTube page. I did it because I am simply a fan of her music. Her performance style. Her guitar playing. Her songwriting. And the passion she obviously has for being on stage.

And Susie Keynes is a wonderful songwriter, vocalist, and outstanding guitar player -- as you can see for yourself by visiting her YouTube page or simply by clicking on the embedded video clip below.



Susie has spent much of the past 11 years or so travelling the world with the Australian band, Fruit. However, Fruit are currently taking some time out from touring to let each of the main band members (Susie Keynes, Mel Watson, and Sam Lohs), recharge their creative juices, and stretch themselves in other ways.

On July 7, 2007, I filmed Susie performing at the Joiners Arms Hotel, in Adelaide, Australia. With her permission, I helped set up a YouTube page for her, where every song from that July gig is online for all the world to see and enjoy. I hope the page brings her the international recognition she deserves, and many thousands of new fans.

Susie has a MySpace page, where you can hear several MP3s, and her music (along with the music of Fruit) is also available for purchase online (see links below). In deed, several of the songs she performed in July are available on her debut solo album, Kiss For Her Fears.

Do yourself a favour, and get to know the amazing music of Susie Keynes. Then let all your friends know about her. You'll be glad you did.

Click here to visit Susie's MySpace page...
Click here to buy Susie's album at CDBaby...
Click here to visit the Fruit website...

Quote of The Day...

I think live music is sustained by people who are sustained by good sounds, harmony, musical connection, songs with relevance and a desire to make the world a better place. I'm hoping that sentiment is a growing one. ~ Susie Keynes

--o0o--

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Six Months in a Leaky Boat

So here I am again. After six months!

What the heck have I been doing for the past six months?

You may well ask.

Rearranging and refocussing my life. Selling one house and moving to another. Working. Living. Loving. Singing. Writing. Googling. Filming. YouTubing. And yes, even MySpacing.

And now, once again, I am finally back to try this blogging life, and see if I can post at least one entry a week. Sounds easy. But sometimes the easiest things can turn out to be the hardest.

Anyway, this is a start. And soon I'll be back to tell you about one of my favourite local singer songwriters, Susie Keynes.

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