Steve Martin tour follows ‘The Crow’ on the road this fall

When funnyman Steve Martin hits the road this fall, he’s sure to have his fair share of witty stage banter, but his upcoming tour dates will mostly be serious business. The comedian and actor is taking the stage at theaters and performance halls across the United States to showcase his latest album of bluegrass banjo music.

The self-taught musician has filled his fall 2009 schedule with just over 20 headline concerts and special appearances as he promotes “The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo,” which entered wide release on May 19.

Martin’s trek kicks off with a performance at the Grammy Salute to Country Music on September 9 at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. More U.S. concerts follow through November 3 at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, WA.

Highlights of the trek include a September 29-30 stand at Café Largo-Coronet Theater in Los Angeles, CA, an October 6 set at Carnegie Hall in New York, NY, an October 12 concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and an October 24 gig at Paramount Theatre in Denver, CO.

In addition to his regular concerts, Martin has also been booked as a musical act at several upcoming U.S. festivals. Most notably, he’ll take the stage on October 3 at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco, CA.

Martin’s latest album “The Crow” was originally released as an Amazon.com exclusive on January 27 before it entered wide release in the spring. Featuring guest appearances from the likes of Dolly Parton and Vince Gill, the record peaked at No. 93 on the Billboard 200 and snagged the top spot on the Bluegrass Albums chart.

The performer has played the banjo since his late teens. Though Martin originally incorporated the instrument into his comedy routines and albums, “The Crow” is his first all-musical record.

Earlier this year, Martin made his musical debut at the famed Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN, on May 30.

Steve Martin itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)