Steve Martin, Alison Brown release video for chart-topping bluegrass single “New Cluck Old Hen”
Photo credit: David Shayne and Drew Levin
GRAMMY Award-winning banjoists Steve Martin and Alison Brown have released a new music video for their chart-topping single “New Cluck Old Hen,” a reimagining of the traditional Appalachian folk tune.
The video was filmed at Jalopy Theatre in New York and features the all-female bluegrass quartet Della Mae. The group brings a modern energy to the track, blending traditional instrumentation with updated lyrics and a contemporary perspective.
“New Cluck Old Hen” appears on Martin and Brown’s debut collaborative album, Safe, Sensible and Sane, released via Compass Records.
The song reinvents the original folk standard with a narrative twist. In Martin’s version, the story’s protagonist leaves his wife, only to find himself outmatched in the end. Lead vocals from Della Mae’s Celia Woodsmith, alongside bandmates Kimber Ludiker, Avril Smith, and Vickie Vaughn, add depth and attitude to the performance.
“I always loved the classic American mountain tune ‘Cluck Old Hen,’” Martin said in a statement. “Its only problem was it was about chickens. So one day I decided to see if I could give it a new lyric spin.”
Brown said she immediately envisioned Della Mae for the track, praising the group for delivering “the perfect combination of bluegrass drive and femme attitude.”
The release coincides with Women’s History Month and highlights the contributions of female musicians within the bluegrass genre.
Martin and Brown’s collaboration has gained significant traction in recent years, producing four No. 1 singles on bluegrass radio charts and generating tens of millions of views across social media platforms. Their album features additional collaborations with artists including Jackson Browne, Vince Gill, Indigo Girls, and Jason Mraz.
One of the album’s tracks, “Dear Time,” a collaboration with Browne, was named among the 100 Best Songs of 2025 by Billboard.
Both artists have long been recognized for their impact on the banjo and bluegrass music. Brown became the first woman to win Instrumentalist of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, while Martin was named Entertainer of the Year by the same organization in 2011. Martin also founded the Steve Martin Banjo Prize, which has awarded more than $500,000 to musicians in the genre.
Safe, Sensible and Sane marks a new chapter in the evolution of banjo-driven music, blending tradition with innovation through high-profile collaborations and fresh interpretations of classic sounds.
Click here to listen to Safe, Sensible and Sane
