Steve Martin & Nicky Sanders by Eric Frommer, CC BY-SA 2.0/Original

I may not have been born a poor black child in Mississippi, but when I was but a wee lad, I still appreciated Steve Martin for teaching me how I could make one million dollars without having to pay taxes. While I have yet to complete the first step — “get a million dollars” — the actor and comedian still manages to make myself, and many others, smile. 

As the COVID-19 outbreak became increasingly worse in March, Martin began recording short videos in which he plays lively ditties on his banjo on his property outdoors. While he is mostly known for his comedic performances, Martin is quite the accomplished musician. 

In 2009, he released his first music album titled “The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo.” The album won a Grammy award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2010. 

The videos are beautiful in their simplicity; It’s just a man doing what he loves and sharing his talents with the world in the midst of a global pandemic. He offers no commentary, no opinions, no plea for attention like some other famous celebrities. Instead, he treats us to some good ol’ fashioned bluegrass banjo playing. 

Here are some of the videos he has recorded so far:

Banjo balm. pic.twitter.com/eQ6jUkHSHm

— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) March 21, 2020

Night owl banjo. pic.twitter.com/4B6HeeljIl

— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) April 22, 2020

Banjo sky pic.twitter.com/Na52pFi8Jk

— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) April 16, 2020

What’s there not to love here? 

As America deals with shutdown orders, concerns over the spread of the virus, and losing loved ones,  people like Steve Martin are doing what they do best: Offering an injection of positivity into a difficult time and giving us all a modicum of hope. It certainly is amazing what one can do with a banjo and a camera, isn’t it? 

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

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