Steve Martin: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Steve Martin bought his first banjo as a teenager working at Disneyland and taught himself by slowing down Flatt & Scruggs records, carrying the five-string through his stand-up years and into a full second career as a bluegrass recording artist. This mix traces the picking lineage behind the frailing and Scruggs-style rolls, the Southern California folk scene that raised him, and the players he now records with.

The Kynda mix for Steve Martin

• Key Influence · Foggy Mountain Banjo by Flatt & Scruggs (1961). Earl Scruggs is the source code for Martin's right hand. As a teenager Martin slowed Flatt & Scruggs records down on his turntable to decode the three-finger rolls, an all-instrumental album of banjo standards that functioned as a textbook for a generation of self-taught pickers. Martin later performed with Scruggs and recorded a version of 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown' with him, and named his own comedy-era banjo persona after that tradition.
• Influencia Obscura · Aereo-Plain by John Hartford (1971). Hartford's shaggy, hippie-bluegrass landmark proved a banjo record could be funny, loose and formally strange without stopping being virtuosic — the exact register Martin works in. Cut with Vassar Clements and Norman Blake, it invented 'newgrass' attitude, and Martin's own instrumentals share its willingness to hang a comic title on a genuinely serious tune. A cult record among pickers, largely unknown outside them.
• Local Roots · Will the Circle Be Unbroken by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1972). Martin grew up in Garden Grove and worked at Disneyland alongside John McEuen, whose brother managed the Dirt Band; McEuen taught Martin banjo tunes and later produced Martin's comedy albums, including 'Let's Get Small.' This Nashville summit united the Orange County longhairs with Scruggs, Maybelle Carter and Roy Acuff — the same bridge between California folk kids and Appalachian elders that Martin himself crossed.
• Beyond the Medium · Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus by Ludwig Wittgenstein (1921). Martin majored in philosophy at Cal State Long Beach and has often described how logic coursework reshaped his comedy: if premises can be absurd yet internally consistent, a joke need not have a punchline, only a rigorous false structure. His anti-humor — routines that formally resemble jokes while withholding resolution — is a stand-up application of exactly the language-limits problem the Tractatus stakes out.
• Peer · Drive by Béla Fleck (1988). Fleck is the banjo player who most expanded the instrument's harmonic vocabulary in Martin's lifetime, and the two have shared stages and awards circles; Martin's Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, which he founded, honors precisely this class of player. 'Drive' is Fleck's all-star straight-bluegrass statement with Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush and Stuart Duncan — the modern picking standard Martin's own instrumental records answer to.
• From the Canon · The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo by Steve Martin (2009). The record that reframed Martin as a composer rather than a comedian with a prop. Built from tunes written over decades, cut with Fleck, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill and Tim O'Brien, it won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album and set up the Steep Canyon Rangers partnership that followed. Its clawhammer and three-finger pieces show the two techniques he absorbed as a teenager finally used as compositional voices.
• Key Collaborator · Nobody Knows You by Steep Canyon Rangers (2012). The North Carolina band Martin has toured and recorded with for over a decade won the Best Bluegrass Album Grammy for this record made on their own, without him. It shows what they bring to the partnership: Woody Platt's lead singing, Graham Sharp's banjo and songwriting, and a tight traditional ensemble sound that gives Martin's compositions a working band rather than a session lineup.
• Legacy · Antifogmatic by Punch Brothers (2010). Chris Thile's band represents the compositional, art-music wing of string band playing that Martin's Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass was created to support — Noam Pikelny, the Punch Brothers banjoist, was its very first recipient in 2010. Martin's championing of young acoustic players through that award has materially shaped which artists in this scene get heard beyond festival stages.

What influenced Steve Martin

• Laurel and Hardy. Martin names Laurel and Hardy among his comedy influences. “I was raised with Laurel and Hardy and "I Love Lucy" and Jerry Lewis, and I just loved it.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Jerry Lewis. Martin names Jerry Lewis among his comedy influences. “I was raised with Laurel and Hardy and "I Love Lucy" and Jerry Lewis, and I just loved it.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Jerry Seinfeld (1954). Martin calls Seinfeld one of his 'retro heroes' whom he admires. “Steve Martin described Seinfeld as one of his "retro heroes" saying "[He's] a guy who came up behind me and is better than I am. I think he's fantastic, I love to listen to him, he almost puts me at peace. I love to listen to him talk".” (Wikipedia)
• Charlie Chaplin. Martin names Chaplin among his comedy influences. “Martin has said that his comedy influences include Charlie Chaplin , Laurel and Hardy , Jack Benny , Jerry Lewis , and Woody Allen” (Wikipedia)
• Jack Benny. Martin names Jack Benny among his comedy influences. “Martin has said that his comedy influences include Charlie Chaplin , Laurel and Hardy , Jack Benny , Jerry Lewis , and Woody Allen” (Wikipedia)
• Woody Allen. Martin names Woody Allen among his comedy influences. “Martin has said that his comedy influences include Charlie Chaplin , Laurel and Hardy , Jack Benny , Jerry Lewis , and Woody Allen” (Wikipedia)
• John McEuen. Martin learned banjo with the help of John McEuen. “Martin learned how to play the banjo with help from John McEuen” (Wikipedia)
• Wally Boag. Martin developed magic/juggling/balloon skills under mentor Wally Boag. “creating balloon animals in the manner of mentor Wally Boag” (Wikipedia)
• Herbert Ross. Martin took acting lessons from director Herbert Ross. “Martin took acting lessons from director Herbert Ross and spent months learning how to tap dance” (Wikipedia)
• Eve Babitz. Eve Babitz suggested Martin's trademark white suit. “Martin dated writer and artist Eve Babitz , who suggested he dress in what became his trademark white suit” (Wikipedia)
• Stormie Omartian. Martin credits Stormie Omartian with introducing him to philosophy. “He credited her with introducing him to philosophy and other topics that "reconfigured his thinking"” (Wikipedia)
• I Love Lucy by Lucille Ball. Martin names I Love Lucy as a childhood comedic influence. “I was raised with Laurel and Hardy and "I Love Lucy" and Jerry Lewis, and I just loved it.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Carl Valentine. Martin cites comedy magician Carl Valentine as an influence on his own act. “there was influence there, too, because he was already doing it, and I took that concept. I don't know if I took it from him, but I took that concept into gags and comedy routines.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Bob Newhart (1929). Martin names Bob Newhart among comedians he respected and drew from. “I just respected comedians, whether they were or they weren't from new or old - about Bob Newhart, I loved, and George Carlin was hilarious at the time and Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• George Carlin (1937). Martin names George Carlin among comedians he respected and drew from. “I just respected comedians, whether they were or they weren't from new or old - about Bob Newhart, I loved, and George Carlin was hilarious at the time and Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Bill Cosby (1937). Martin names Bill Cosby among comedians he respected and drew from. “I just respected comedians, whether they were or they weren't from new or old - about Bob Newhart, I loved, and George Carlin was hilarious at the time and Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Richard Pryor (1940). Martin names Richard Pryor among comedians he respected and drew from. “I just respected comedians, whether they were or they weren't from new or old - about Bob Newhart, I loved, and George Carlin was hilarious at the time and Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Surrealism. Writer Emily Krieger links Martin's comedic style to the Surrealist movement. “I like Steve Martin because he brought surrealism to the masses.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Nichols and May. Martin explicitly says Nichols and May influenced him and other comedians. “He recalls that soon after discovering their recorded acts, he went to sleep each night listening to them. "They influenced us all and changed the face of comedy."” (Wikipedia)
• How to Play the 5-String Banjo by Pete Seeger (1954). How to Play the 5-String Banjo (Pete Seeger) — titan for Steve Martin (musicbrainz.org)
• Aereo-Plain by John Hartford (1971). Aereo-Plain (John Hartford) — ghost for Steve Martin (musicbrainz.org)
• Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus by Ludwig Wittgenstein (1921). Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (Ludwig Wittgenstein) — culture for Steve Martin (openlibrary.org)
• Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett (1953). Waiting for Godot (Samuel Beckett) — culture for Steve Martin (wikidata.org)
• Foggy Mountain Banjo by Flatt & Scruggs (1961). Foggy Mountain Banjo (Flatt & Scruggs) — titan for Steve Martin
• Uncle Dave Macon: Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy by Uncle Dave Macon (1935). Uncle Dave Macon: Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy (Uncle Dave Macon) — ghost for Steve Martin
• Dave Stuart. Martin describes taking a vaudeville joke concept directly from Dave Stuart.

Peers and kindred spirits

• Lorne Michaels. Martin co-wrote Three Amigos! with Lorne Michaels. “Lorne Michaels had been a long-time friend, but I went in there, and then, my career exploded.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Eddie Murphy (1961). Murphy co-starred with Steve Martin in Bowfinger. (also via A Wild and Crazy Guy) “While Murphy doesn’t turn into an entire family in “Bowfinger” as he did in “The Nutty Professor,” he is able, with the help of writer and co-star Steve Martin, to create two completely different characters whose cumulative comic impact …” (Los Angeles Times)
• Edie Brickell. Martin and Edie Brickell collaborated on the album Love Has Come for You. (also via Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars) “Love Has Come for You , a collaboration album with Edie Brickell , was released in April 2013” (Wikipedia)
• Punch Brothers. Punch Brothers performed with Steve Martin guesting on banjo. (also via Antifogmatic) “the band performed "Rye Whiskey" on the Late Show with David Letterman with Steve Martin guesting on banjo.” (Wikipedia)
• Back Porch Bluegrass by The Dillards (1963). Back Porch Bluegrass (The Dillards) — geography for Steve Martin “"We put strings on it, we went electric, we used drums, and we put layered vocals on it." Backlash from the bluegrass community arose, but the album inspired artists such as Steve Martin, Don Henley, and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, w…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Bluegrass Light by Tony Trischka (1974). Bluegrass Light (Tony Trischka) — peer for Steve Martin “Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, featuring appearances by Steve Martin, Earl Scruggs, Béla Fleck and Tony Rice, came out four years later.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Maxwell's Silver Hammer by The Beatles. Martin performed The Beatles' song in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. “where he sang The Beatles ' " Maxwell's Silver Hammer "” (Wikipedia)
• The Coo Coo Bird by The Holy Modal Rounders. Martin learned and performed a traditional song via The Holy Modal Rounders. “they performed a version of " The Coo Coo Bird " a traditional song that Martin learned from the 1960s folk music group The Holy Modal Rounders” (Wikipedia)
• Harry Bliss. Martin collaborated with cartoonist Harry Bliss on the comic Bliss. “Martin has collaborated with cartoonist Harry Bliss as a writer for the syndicated single-panel comic Bliss” (Wikipedia)
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Martin served on the LACMA board of trustees. “Martin was on the Los Angeles County Museum of Art board of trustees from 1984 to 2004” (Wikipedia)
• National Endowment for Indigenous Visual Arts. Martin helped found NEIVA, a fund supporting Indigenous artists. “Martin assisted in launching the National Endowment for Indigenous Visual Arts (NEIVA), a fund to support Australian Indigenous artists in 2021” (Wikipedia)
• Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass. Martin founded the Steve Martin Prize for bluegrass performers. “In 2010, Martin created the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, an award established to reward artistry and bring greater visibility to bluegrass performers” (Wikipedia)
• Carl Reiner. Martin repeatedly collaborated with director Carl Reiner. “Martin was in three more Reiner-directed comedies after The Jerk : Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid in 1982, The Man with Two Brains in 1983 and All of Me in 1984” (Wikipedia)
• Randy Newman. Martin co-wrote Three Amigos! with Randy Newman. “written by Martin, Lorne Michaels , and singer-songwriter Randy Newman” (Wikipedia)
• Michael Elias. Martin co-wrote The Jerk with Michael Elias. “written by Martin, Michael Elias, and Carl Gottlieb” (Wikipedia)
• Carl Gottlieb. Martin co-wrote The Jerk with Carl Gottlieb. “written by Martin, Michael Elias, and Carl Gottlieb” (Wikipedia)
• Alison Brown. Martin co-wrote songs with banjo player Alison Brown. “Alison Brown co-wrote Foggy Morning Breaking [ 74 ] with Martin in 2023, and Wall Guitar in 2024” (Wikipedia)
• John McEwan. Martin describes an ongoing musical collaboration with John McEwan on a banjo album. “I had a friend that night up in the - next to the booth, John McEwan, whom I still work with, we're recording a banjo album, as a matter a fact.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• David Mamet. Martin starred in a film written and directed by David Mamet, establishing a collaboration. (also via The Spanish Prisoner)
• The Spanish Prisoner by David Mamet. Martin discusses acting in Mamet's film The Spanish Prisoner, confirming his role in the work. “You know, his dialogue is a challenge for an actor because it's incredibly precise, including the `ers' and `uhs'” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Ricky Jay. Martin describes his long personal and professional history with Ricky Jay, who co-starred with him in The Spanish Prisoner. “Ricky Jay and I go way back. We go back to the late '60s.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Herb Ross. Martin recounts working with director Herb Ross and learning from his direction. “I remember once, the director, Herb Ross, he was mad at an actress. And I said, `What's the matter?'” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Dave Barry. Martin credits Dave Barry with helping write material for his Oscars hosting gig. “it was actually Dave Barry, the great syndicated columnist, who deigned to help me write some things, along with some other great writers” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Jamie Kennedy. Jamie Kennedy co-starred with Martin in Bowfinger. (via Bowfinger) “Here he is explaining his plan to his cameraman, played by Jamie Kennedy.” (Fresh Air (NPR))
• Will the Circle Be Unbroken by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1972). Will the Circle Be Unbroken (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) — geography for Steve Martin (musicbrainz.org)
• Drive by Béla Fleck (1988). Drive (Béla Fleck) — peer for Steve Martin (musicbrainz.org)
• Nobody Knows You by Steep Canyon Rangers (2012). Nobody Knows You (Steep Canyon Rangers) — collaborator for Steve Martin (musicbrainz.org)
• Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians (1988). Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars (Edie Brickell & New Bohemians) — collaborator for Steve Martin (musicbrainz.org)
• Saturday Night Live. Martin describes joining the Saturday Night Live cast/community as a turning point in his career.

Who Steve Martin influenced

• Judd Apatow. The article names Steve Martin as one of Apatow's childhood comedy heroes. (also via Born Standing Up) “Apatow's deep interest in comedy dates back to his childhood; his heroes were Steve Martin , Bill Cosby and the Marx Brothers .” (Wikipedia)
• Tina Fey. Wikipedia states Martin's style influenced Tina Fey. “Martin's offbeat, ironic, and deconstructive style of humor has influenced many comedians during his career including Tina Fey , Steve Carell , Conan O'Brien , Jon Stewart , [ 131 ] Stephen Colbert , Robert Smigel , Bo Burnham , [ 132 ] …” (Wikipedia)
• Steve Carell (1962). Wikipedia states Martin's style influenced Steve Carell. “Martin's offbeat, ironic, and deconstructive style of humor has influenced many comedians during his career including Tina Fey , Steve Carell , Conan O'Brien , Jon Stewart , [ 131 ] Stephen Colbert , Robert Smigel , Bo Burnham , [ 132 ] …” (Wikipedia)
• Conan O'Brien (1963). Wikipedia states Martin's style influenced Conan O'Brien. “Martin's offbeat, ironic, and deconstructive style of humor has influenced many comedians during his career including Tina Fey , Steve Carell , Conan O'Brien , Jon Stewart , [ 131 ] Stephen Colbert , Robert Smigel , Bo Burnham , [ 132 ] …” (Wikipedia)
• Jon Stewart. Wikipedia states Martin's style influenced Jon Stewart. “Martin's offbeat, ironic, and deconstructive style of humor has influenced many comedians during his career including Tina Fey , Steve Carell , Conan O'Brien , Jon Stewart , [ 131 ] Stephen Colbert , Robert Smigel , Bo Burnham , [ 132 ] …” (Wikipedia)
• Stephen Colbert. Wikipedia states Martin's style influenced Stephen Colbert. “Martin's offbeat, ironic, and deconstructive style of humor has influenced many comedians during his career including Tina Fey , Steve Carell , Conan O'Brien , Jon Stewart , [ 131 ] Stephen Colbert , Robert Smigel , Bo Burnham , [ 132 ] …” (Wikipedia)
• Robert Smigel. Wikipedia states Martin's style influenced Robert Smigel. “Martin's offbeat, ironic, and deconstructive style of humor has influenced many comedians during his career including Tina Fey , Steve Carell , Conan O'Brien , Jon Stewart , [ 131 ] Stephen Colbert , Robert Smigel , Bo Burnham , [ 132 ] …” (Wikipedia)
• Bo Burnham. Wikipedia states Martin's style influenced Bo Burnham. “Martin's offbeat, ironic, and deconstructive style of humor has influenced many comedians during his career including Tina Fey , Steve Carell , Conan O'Brien , Jon Stewart , [ 131 ] Stephen Colbert , Robert Smigel , Bo Burnham , [ 132 ] …” (Wikipedia)
• Jordan Peele. Wikipedia states Martin's style influenced Jordan Peele. “Martin's offbeat, ironic, and deconstructive style of humor has influenced many comedians during his career including Tina Fey , Steve Carell , Conan O'Brien , Jon Stewart , [ 131 ] Stephen Colbert , Robert Smigel , Bo Burnham , [ 132 ] …” (Wikipedia)
• Mike Patton. Mike Patton has named Steve Martin as an early influence. “Singer and composer Mike Patton cited Martin as being an early influence” (Wikipedia)
• Chris Rock (1965). Steve Martin is named among Rock's comedy influences. “Rock's comedy influences are Bill Cosby , Redd Foxx , Dick Gregory , Flip Wilson , Richard Pryor , Steve Martin , Pigmeat Markham , Woody Allen , Bill Maher , Eddie Murphy ,” (Wikipedia)
• Antifogmatic by Punch Brothers (2010). Antifogmatic (Punch Brothers) — legacy for Steve Martin (musicbrainz.org)
• The Lonesome Trio by The Lonesome Trio (2014). The Lonesome Trio (The Lonesome Trio) — legacy for Steve Martin (musicbrainz.org)
• Sarah Silverman. A Wild and Crazy Guy (Steve Martin) — titan for Sarah Silverman (via A Wild and Crazy Guy)