BARRY COURTER: Lisa, I could fill up this space with accolades and praise for both Steve Martin and Martin Short, but this seems like neither the time nor the place to do so.
I just love that Steve Martin line. I first heard him say it during a Carl Reiner tribute, and he told me during our interview last week that he also used it during a Paul Simon tribute. I think you know that getting to talk to both of them was a real career highlight for me. I've been a fan since his appearances on Carson in the '70s.
LISA DENTON: That is going to be a great show. Both are funny, but getting to hear them riff off each other should be hilarious. And judging from their previous appearances together, nothing is spared. In 2015, when the American Film Institute gave Martin a Life Achievement Award, Short got in this zinger about Martin's pale complexion: "Steve, I've always wanted to ask you: How far did they get into the embalming process before you jumped off the table?"
And he once described to Jay Leno the colonoscopy parties he and Tom Hanks attend every four years at Martin's house. Apparently, they have Jell-O and broth catered, drink their barium and play poker - well, as much as they can while they're drinking barium. As Short summed it up: "Sometimes there's only one person at the table."
BARRY: I know you've heard me giggling all week and thought I'd finally gone completely mental, but I was watching old Jiminy Glick episodes. He is one of Short's best characters. Asking Mel Brooks what his "big beef with the Nazis" was is just genius. So, yeah, I'm excited about the show on Thursday.
LISA: Hearing Martin play banjo with the Steep Canyon Rangers that night will help set the mood for the Great Southern Old Time Fiddlers Convention coming up Saturday at 901 Lindsay. The fiddle contest is the main draw, but there are also contests for banjo players, string bands, old-time dancers and singers of traditional (pre-1930s) songs. Might be a good time to break out "Old Dan Tucker."
Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
BARRY: That song always makes me think of the Bugs Bunny classic "Hillbilly Hare." "Step right up, you're doin' fine, I'll pull your beard, you'll pull mine ..."
LISA: Who knew Bugs could play a fiddle? I watched that video again Friday. It was a good hare day.
BARRY: Festival founder Matt Downer was our guest this week on Music Wednesdays to do a little pickin' and to talk about the event. I bet most people around here don't realize the part Chattanooga played in old-time fiddle music. We used to host the Southern championships almost 90 years ago. It was huge, and Matt deserves much credit for reviving it.
LISA: Matt has some hillbilly in him, and I mean that in the best possible way.
BARRY: And Road to Nightfall kicks off this weekend at Granfalloon with six bands competing Friday and Saturday night. Winners advance to compete on March 24 at The Signal against the three winners from March 15-17. The overall winner gets to headline Nightfall this summer.
LISA: The first concert is May 4. That'll be here before you know it.
Get event details every Thursday in Chattanooga Now or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.