Mark Humphrey/Associated Press Steve Martin performs with the Steep Canyon Rangers at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards.He may have lost his crown as the person who has most often hosted “Saturday Night Live,” but Steve Martin has since claimed another prize that we don’t see Alec Baldwin taking away from him any time soon. On Thursday night Mr. Martin and his bluegrass band, the Steep Canyon Rangers, were named entertainer of the year at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards in Nashville, The Associated Press reported.
At a ceremony at the Ryman Auditorium, Mr. Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers unseated Dailey & Vincent, who had won the award, the association’s top prize, for three consecutive years. In an acceptance speech Mr. Martin said, “I want to thank all the other nominees — for losing.” He was more conciliatory in remarks he made afterward, telling The A.P.: “It really means a lot, sort of like winning two Oscars. It’s something we work very hard at and I kind of started from scratch. I mean I’ve been playing banjo for 50 years, but performing in a band I’ve never done.” He added, “You know, the hardest part was talking and tuning.”
Other prizes went to the Boxcars, whose four awards included those for emerging artist and instrumental group of the year. Adam Steffey of the Boxcars was named mandolin player of the year and his bandmate Ron Stewart shared banjo player of the year honors with Kristin Scott Benson of the Grascals.
Not to be outdone by Mr. Martin, Mr. Steffey said of his group, “We’re grizzled veterans, heavy on the grizzle.”