Have you ever heard Steve Martin play the banjo? As it turns out, he’s just as musically talented as he is funny. And for Steven Prevett, Flint School of Performing Arts (FSPA) banjo and guitar instructor, it was his gateway to the bluegrass genre. 

“My dad was the one who introduced me to bluegrass, sharing the music of legends Earl Scruggs, Roscoe Holcomb and Bela Fleck. Initially, bluegrass didn’t capture my heart until I heard comedian Steve Martin play the banjo,” shared Prevett. 

Bluegrass has its roots in the Appalachian region of the United States, usually played on acoustic instruments and drawing inspiration from traditional English, Scottish and Irish tunes while incorporating elements of blues and jazz. The standard instrumentation includes fiddle (violin), five-string banjo, guitar, mandolin and upright bass, sometimes joined by resonator guitar and harmonica.  

Similar to jazz, bluegrass tunes usually feature one or more musicians taking turns playing and improvising the melody, often with virtuosic displays of dexterity and rapid tempos.  

“What I love the most about bluegrass is the incredible musicianship, the fast and intricate licks and the sense of community it brings,” Prevett said.  

Bluegrass music is reflective of the people and times from which it originated, with themes covering the experiences of everyday life. This includes the difficulties of life in Appalachia, family matters and love songs, among others. 

And speaking of love songs, the Feb. 14 FSPA Faculty Concert Series featuring Prevett and four other musicians, will explore love themes through a bluegrass lens – including “Face in the Crowd” by Larry Sparks and “My Little Girl in Tennessee” by Lester Flatt. The Faculty Concert Series is also an opportunity to showcase the talents of the instructors at FSPA.  

“Not only does the series showcase faculty talent, but they share their lives and passions through the themes they select. And when choosing a theme, they look to make an authentic connection with the audience,” said Davin Pierson Torre, FSPA director and VP of performing arts instruction for FIM.  

As a Flint native, Prevett looks forward to being the first faculty member to perform a bluegrass concert at MacArthur Recital Hall. 

“I’m thrilled to have the chance to play my banjo and guitar on such an amazing stage for the community!”  

So what exactly does Bluegrass in Love entail? Bring your sweetheart and find out! It may be unexpected, but according to Prevett “If we can get the audience up and dancing, then we’ll know we’ve done our job right.”  

Bluegrass in Love takes place in MacArthur Recital Hall at FIM Dort Music Center on February 14, 2025 at 7 p.m. All FSPA faculty concerts are free with registration. Contact FIM Ticket Center 810-237-7333 for more information.