HBD to a Wild and Crazy Guy!

I was going to take a break from posting, and ease the strain on your inbox, but then I woke up to the news that today the incomparable Steve Martin celebrates the completion of his 80th trip 'round Sol.

I have long been a fan, first as a cast member on SNL, and later as a comedic actor in films like The Jerk, My Blue Heaven, Dead Men Don' Wear Plaid, and others.

But one of his greatest performances comes from the Muppets, where Steve engages Kermit the Frog in Dueling banjos:

Steve is a lifelong banjo player, and supporter of bluegrass. Every year he sponsors a prize: The Steve Martin Banjo Prize and some truly amazing talent is surfaced via his advocacy.

Here's a video by Bill Evans, the 2022 winner of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize:

This goes out to the magnificent Steve, and I will be certain to roll my favorite films by Steve this weekend in honor!

Coda: reminder to myself, I need to write about Bela Fleck...