Steve Martin and SCR on BBC2 TV: TONIGHT

Thanks to Sharon Loughrin and to Denis Patrick for separately sending the news that Steve Martin will appear on the 'Later... with Jools Holland' show on BBC2 TV tonight and Friday night, backed by the Steep Canyon Rangers from North Carolina, who made a big impact at the Omagh festival a couple of years ago (above). The combination of the world-famous comedian, comic actor, film director, and banjo player with the award-winning bluegrass band is packing in audiences on a current tour, and played last night at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Sharon adds:

It's late to sit up for what will probably only be a five-minute slot, but it's rare to get a bit of bluegrass on national TV.... I would be more than happy just to see them [the SCR] again after their great performances at Omagh. Attached is a photo taken at Omagh in 2007.

According to the BBC website, this show (series 35, episode 9) will be shown to Northern Ireland viewers tonight at 11.20, and repeated on Friday 13 Nov. at 11.35 p.m. Check these links if you receive the English, Scottish, or Welsh transmissions from BBC2. As Sharon points out, the show can be viewed on BBCiplayer for up to a week after.

Steve Martin's new CD of banjo tunes, The crow, received six nominations for the 2009 IBMA awards, and won two awards - liner notes and graphic design, for both of which he was personally responsible. The Steep Canyon Rangers feature on the cover of the November 2009 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine.