The Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass

[Hartamophone]

This is great.

From the New York Times.

Steve Martin Creates Bluegrass Prize

Compiled by DAVE ITZKOFF

Published: September 15, 2010

Hey, kids: Steve Martin wants to give you $50,000! There’s just one catch: You’re going to have to be really good at bluegrass music. Mr. Martin, the actor, comedian and polymath, has established the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass. The award, which he described on Wednesday as “a mini-MacArthur†grant, will give $50,000 annually to “an individual or group for outstanding accomplishment in the field of five-string banjo or bluegrass music.†The award is intended to help performers pay for their instruments and raise awareness about the music. “Sometimes when you mention money,†Mr. Martin said, “you automatically catch people’s ear.†The award, which is determined by a board that includes Mr. Martin and musicians including Earl Scruggs, Pete Wernick, Tony Trischka and Béla Fleck, will be given in its inaugural year to Noam Pikelny, the banjo player for the band Punch Brothers.

[edger]

Very cool. Guess I better start practicing

[Big J]

Well deserved for old Noam! Hot damn, 50 000 per year? as in, Noam now has a permanent $50000 raise for life? or is it just in the year you receive the prize. either way, fucking great!

[AD]

Pretty sure it's a one-time award, not a salary, ha