Steve Martin

Steve Martin Image

Steve Martin won over a few thousand new fans when he appeared on the main stage at last year's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival brandishing his five-string banjo. He's a famous actor and comedian, sure, but who knew he had been playing the instrument since he was 17 years old? and that he was such a virtuoso? Martin, who is at work on a follow-up album to last year's "The Crow," is taking some time off his latest movie project for a quick summer tour with his backing band, the Steep Canyon Rangers. They play Tuesday and Wednesday at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga.

Q: So you're really serious about this whole music thing?

A: Yes. It turned out I am. I didn't know it at the time. I started playing 45 years ago, and I played it seriously when I started. but I would play one or two songs at the most. the last couple of years, I started playing with the band, and it's been going surprisingly well. now we have a really good show that I really like to do. I get to use different parts of my brain. So my brain is younger, but my face keeps getting older.

Q: How often do you get to sneak off and play while you're shooting a movie?

A: every day. I've been writing new songs for the new album. I've been enjoying that. the modern world makes it so easy to communicate musically with people across the country. I can record songs on my iPhone, e-mail them to people and they can add their parts to them.

Q: I'm having a hard time picturing you playing the banjo hunched over an iPhone.

A: It's so easy. There was an article a few years ago that talked about being in the zone and having time stop. when you're playing music, time stops and passes by, unknown to yourself.

Q: What do you have to offer the bluegrass genre?

A: What I'm bringing are new songs because I write all my own material. another thing I'm bringing is an auxiliary benefit, which is access to television, which a lot of bluegrass performers don't have. That's been a big benefit for the music in general. I like people to know this isn't hillbilly music.

Q: Because this is so far outside what people know you for, do you get nervous before you go onstage?

A: I did at first, but then I got over it. I've been a professional entertainer for so long. I must say I was a little intimidated when I played an hourlong banjo show. the hardest part was trying to remember playing with all the little gags between the songs. the first tour, I was a little nervous. the second tour, I was a little less nervous. the third tour, I had a revelation. I'm having more fun.

Q: Do you wish you could drop the comedy from the show and just get on with the music?

A: No. It's not that hard to do both. It's just funny song introductions. I don't know how much people know about the music when they come to see me. I don't take a survey. but I do get the true feeling that they're not disappointed. by the time the set is over, everyone seems to appreciate it. {sbox}

To hear Steve Martin's music, go to www.stevemartin.com.

This article appeared on page Q – 42 of the San Francisco Chronicle