Steve Martin and Alison Brown take Old Town Road to bluegrass
What happens when the cultural phenomenon of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” gets handed over to the masters of the banjo? Steve Martin and Alison Brown found their answer by teaming up with some of the finest bluegrass virtuosos in the world to give the iconic track a completely fresh, fingerpicked spin.
This audacious musical pairing is officially out, blending hip-hop history with traditional Appalachian sounds in a truly delightful arrangement. Martin and Brown didn’t just re-record the song; they completely reimagined it, trading urban production for a full-blown bluegrass romp.
The collaboration brought together a remarkable group of heavyweights, including bluegrass titans Del McCoury, Dan Tyminski, Ronnie McCoury, Stuart Duncan, and Garry West, ensuring the resulting track was steeped in authentic banjo mastery.
Their creative vision was as whimsical as the music itself. Rather than sticking to the original lyrics, Martin and Brown penned entirely new, “grass-ified” lyrics, injecting humor and unexpected imagery about Sasquatch, gigantic chain stores like Buc-ee’s, and import cars into the narrative.
The track serves as a perfect soundtrack to Martin and Brown’s recent album, Safe, Sensible and Sane, which further expanded their sonic landscape by featuring guest contributions from artists such as Vince Gill, the Indigo Girls, and Jackson Browne.
The cultural impact of “Old Town Road” is undeniable. Following its 2019 release, the song exploded across genres, achieving massive success on TikTok before crossing over into country and pop. The original remix featuring Billy Ray Cyrus spent 19 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, setting a benchmark for crossover success that continues to inspire artists today.
There is a neat symmetry in this new release, reflecting a new chapter for Lil Nas X himself. After navigating a recent legal and mental health challenge, the artist shared that he received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and is actively engaged in treatment with a therapist and psychiatrist.
This journey has led to a period of reflection, but also a renewed creative energy. That promise was delivered earlier this month with the new single “World’s Greatest,” a track dedicated to his late mother Tamikia Hill and featuring a touching voicemail.
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