This just in from Johnny McEuen

John McEuen recently finished producing an album of his lifelong friend, actor Steve Martin. With all original music and lyrics written by Martin- released date Jan. 27, 2009 - John says, "The Steve album is great! People will be shocked at how vast and varied is music is, and how great he plays… this album will show Steve as a composer of unique melodies, hot licks and soulful lyrics. He is definitely a songwriter with an unusual twist for notes and lyrics; in the 45 years I've known him, I've never heard him playing better. I am working with the Chaplin of our era.”

Titled Steve Martin - The Crow new songs for the 5-string banjo (11 instrumentals and four vocals), the album features such diverse musician talents as Earl Scruggs, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Tony Trishka, Pete Wernick, McEuen, David Amram, Craig Eastman. Vince Gill duets with Dolly Parton on Pretty Flowers, Ireland's Mary Black sings Calico Train, Tim O'Brien sings Daddy Played the Banjo), and Steve sings Late for School. John brings together traditional folk instruments to Steve's world of notes where you hear influences from their mutual past - Disneyland, The Music Man, Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring, and bluegrass - in way that “will take the music world by surprise,” says producer McEuen.