Steve Martin Awards Catherine Browness Banjo Prize

Marton-born banjo player Catherine “BB” Browness is one of five recipients of the 2020 Steve Martin Banjo Prize. Browness, who plays with the bluegrass band Mile Twelve, shared in the US$50,000 prize, which was awarded by the American comedian and banjo player via a livestream presentation. Kory Grow reports on Martin’s music award for Rolling Stone magazine.

Of Browness’ Scruggs-style playing, Martin told Rolling Stone: “So much is happening, I can’t even keep pace with it,” he says. “Having been a banjo player for almost 60 years, I look at these players and I have no idea how they’re doing it.”

Browness was the first banjo player at the New Zealand School of Music.

Currently, Browness lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her band Mile Twelve has won numerous International Bluegrass Music Awards, including 2020 New Artists of the Year and 2017 Momentum Band of the Year.

Original article by Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, October 12, 2020.