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Watch the bluegrass remake of Lil Nas X’s hit featuring new lyrics by Martin and a comic introduction.
By Scott Bernstein Oct 8, 2026 • 12:29 pm PDT
Steve Martin and Alison Brown put their banjos and Martin’s humor at the center of a new version of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road.” Released today through Compass Records, the bluegrass remake features Del McCoury and Dan Tyminski on vocals, along with new lyrics written by Martin.
Tyminski also plays guitar, with Ronnie McCoury on mandolin, Stuart Duncan on fiddle and Garry West on bass. Brown and West produced the track, which was recorded at Compass Sound Studio in Nashville.
“I’ve always loved the idea of ‘Old Town Road’ as seen through bluegrass eyes,” Martin said in a statement. Brown’s arrangement replaces the original’s country-trap backing with acoustic strings while finding room for both banjo players.
“It’s such a well-known song that my challenge was to come up with an arrangement that would showcase our banjos without giving the song away too soon,” Brown explained. Martin added, “Fortunately, some of the best bluegrass musicians in the world agreed to join us, and here we are, ready to ride.”
The accompanying video, filmed at Compass Records in Nashville, opens with Martin pretending to meet his collaborators for the first time. Brown reminds him they made an album together last year, while Tyminski and Del McCoury recount their own previous encounters with the comedian and banjoist.
Martin and Brown released their debut collaborative album, Safe, Sensible And Sane, in October 2025. The record topped Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums chart, and the pair performed its instrumental “Let’s Get Out Of Here” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon shortly after its release.
Watch Steve Martin, Alison Brown, Del McCoury, Dan Tyminski and their fellow musicians perform “Old Town Road” below:
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