Andy Thorne: Songs of The Sunrise Fox
Feb 09, 2026
Andy Thorn is a banjo player, singer, and songwriter who has been a member of the legendary band Leftover Salmon for over 10 years.
Andy has built an international following by posting viral videos from his high-altitude Colorado backyard. He has become widely known as "that guy who plays banjo to a fox."
Thorn never expected to go viral. But in 2021, he was in his backyard, playing an improvised banjo tune to a wild fox, when his wife caught the whole thing on video. The video made headlines around the world. Soon, Andy was interviewed on the Kelly Clarkson Show and A & E’s Neighborhood Wars. Even NPR’s Political Gabfest discussed the video. A New York Times writer called it “a moment plucked from Aesop.”
courtesy of andythornmusic.com
Songs of the Sunrise Fox
Andy was stunned by the publicity and by how many people kept asking him about the song. He finally recorded it ("Aesop Mountain”), along with 14 other banjo instrumentals. The resulting album, “Songs of the Sunrise Fox,” stands in contrast to the music Andy normally plays with Leftover Salmon. This new album isn't about the flashy banjo picking favored by jam bands. Instead, it’s the banjo melodies Andy would play for his friend “Foxy” at sunrise. The stripped-down band also features Erik Deutsch (Black Crowes) on piano, Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) on bass, and Windfield champ Tyler Grant on guitar.
Banjo Inspiration: High Country Holiday
Interested in learning banjo? Check out our article How to Learn Bluegrass Banjo in 10 Easy Steps.
