Listen: Banjoists Alison Brown and Steve Martin Recruit Vince Gill for “Wall Guitar (Since You Said Goodbye)”

Banjoists Alison Brown and Steve Martin have enlisted Vince Gill, the lead singer in Pure Prairie League, best known for their iconic soft rock stable, “Amie,” for their latest collaboration, “Wall Guitar (Since You Said Goodbye).”

Martin initially conceived a tender clawhammer banjo melody, which, in turn, and under the guidance of Brown, evolved with instrumental complexity. “Steve has such a great instinct for crafting strong melodies and it’s almost effortless to pick up on his melodic thread and carry the idea forward. What was amazing to me, though, was to see the lyrics come together. I was really struck by the emotional intimacy Steve conjured,” Brown commented. 

Livening up the composition, Gill coats the tune with his distinctive vocals, a warm, molasses-like spread, and a complimentary tenor carry across acoustics. “I’ve known Alison since I was 19 years old — what a joy to watch her become the musician she is. And Steve Martin has made me laugh for 50 years. On top of that, he’s an amazing banjo player. What a great experience it was to record this song with them,” Gill commented. 

Adding his own sentiment to the experience, Martin said, “Alison and I have a highly creative and enjoyable musical ‘thang’ going on, and to have Vince Gill as well as some of the finest musicians in Nashville join us is the ultimate icing on the bluegrass cake.”

In addition to Martin, Brown, and Gill, the bluegrass ensemble is filled out by some fellow Music City players: Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Rob Burger (accordion, piano), Andrea Zonn (harmony vocals), Garry West (bass) and Jordan Perlson (percussion).

Scroll down to watch the official music video for “Wall Guitar (Since You Said Goodbye).”