Alison Krauss, Steve Martin, Edie Brickell, Punch Brothers & more coming for Wide Open Bluegrass

As we first mentioned almost a year ago, the International Bluegrass Music Association is bringing their annual World of Bluegrass festivities to Raleigh for three years starting in 2013. Now we have the first details of the bevy of musicians who will be making their way here this fall.

Performances at the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival on September 27 and 28 at the Raleigh Convention Center and the Red Amphitheater will include a collaboration between Alison Krauss, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Béla Fleck, Del McCoury and Tony Rice in addition to Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers with Edie Brickell and Punch Brothers. Abigail Washburn will serve as the mistress of ceremonies for the event.

Steve Martin announces 2012 dates with Steep Canyon Rangers, returning to Durham

After playing a sold out show at the Durham Performing Arts Center last year, legendary comedian, actor and musician Steve Martin will return to the venue this year with local string band Steep Canyon Rangers by his side once more.

They'll play DPAC on Sunday, June 3. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 24 via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $58 to $125.

Martin's latest album, Rare Bird Alert, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, but lost to Alison Krauss' latest. Stream the title track from Rare Bird Alert below.

Steve Martin coming to Durham with Steep Canyon Rangers

One of the funniest guys around, who happens to be a hell of a banjo player, yes, Steve Martin, will be bringing his multitude of skills to the Triangle in March.

He'll perform at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) on Saturday, May 21 with North Carolina bluegrass quintet Steep Canyon Rangers. Tickets for the show will go on sale on Friday, December 10 at 10 a.m. and will start at $42.

Martin and Steep Canyon Rangers have performed together quite a few times before, including television appearances on Letterman and The View. Check out their performance of "Jubilation Day" from The View below. Steve Martin's