I’ve heard many stories about Marty’s generosity from other artists over the years, but the one that sticks with me most was from 90-year-old Don Maddox, the last surviving member of the Maddox Brothers & Rose. One thing that many folks don’t know about Marty Stuart is that he owns a vast archive of country music memorabilia, and not from a personal desire to horde expensive valuables, but a sincere desire to preserve these artifacts for future generations of country fandom. As Marty says, “The most Outlaw thing you can do in Nashville right now is play country music.” From gospel to Outlaw, Marty Stuart can work within all of country music’s colors, and practice the art of playing and living authentic country music that he preaches. Marty Stuart also has excellent ballads and beautiful instrumentals and traditionals that include some of the tightest musicianship and harmonies you will find, mostly the fault of his excellent band The Fabulous Superlatives. The magic Marty is making with “Cousin” Kenny Vaughan and the double-barreled Telecaster twang-out sound is something that will go down in the annals of country music as one of its coolest eras. His recent output is responsible for some of the hardest-charging guitar music that exists in country right now, walking right up near the line of rock & roll, but cleverly knowing where not to cross it. What’s funny though is when it comes to Marty Stuart’s music, all of that stuff seems so superfluous. I’ve heard others remark that he’s just plain weird, maybe from his flamboyant hairdo or dress. You know, I’ve heard some folks say that Marty is “hokey,” probably partly in response to his RFD-TV Show. The amount of talent he has churning through the Marty Stuart Show set alone is boggling, and it is about the only place left in American popular media where you can see what real country entertainment once was. The man is tireless, touring many months out of the year, and spending the majority of his time when home in Nashville on his Marty Stuart Show or playing the Grand Ole Opry, or other endeavors that many times seem to be about promotion someone other than himself. He doesn’t know how to do anything different. Marty Stuart breathes country music, and helps preserve it and pay it forward almost as if it was an involuntary action. You name it, Marty has done it, and done it many times away from the cameras and country writers, simply from a passion for country music, and from the kindness of his heart. More so than any other modern country music artist, Marty does everything right, from preserving the roots of country and helping to keep the traditions alive, to putting out fresh, fun, and relevant music, to taking up the cause of the oldtimers and the up-and-comers alike to keep the country music community both honorable and vibrant. There are other small things like his popular TV show, his collaborations, etc., but the above is easily enough to argue my point.If anybody asked me point blank, who is the artist that is most saving country music right now? I would answer without hesitation, “Marty Stuart.” They say he bought them and locked them away because having them on the market or displayed was morbid and wrong.Īlso Marty's reputation as a photographer of things country music is known throughout the community, especially having taken the last photograph of Cash just days before he died. Its even said that Marty owns the boots Patsy Cline was wearing during the plane crash. Basically where Cash and Williams wrote the songs on pencil and paper. He has the original manuscript of Williams' "Cold Cold Heart" and even "Folsom Prison Blues". Whether it is the story behind his favorite telecaster "Clarence" or the stage costumes he has preserved, Marty has done his part. I'm not sure there has ever been a better conservator of country music history. He also played guitar and mandolin for the Highwaymen. Everyone knows (that follows country music should anyway) that Marty Stuart was a member of Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash's backing bands before he was famous as a recording artist in his own right.īut what a lot of people don't know is that Marty is credited with assembling the Highwaymen, arguably the greatest country music supergroup ever. His accomplishments as member of a backing band are a phenomenon in itself. His technical talent and ability as a musician, especially mandolin and guitar, are IMO unparalleled. His accomplishments as a singer and recording artist speak for themselves but are just the tip of the iceberg.įor starters he is one of the best, if not the best, examples of a combination of recording artist and musician. I maybe a little biased being from Mississippi but I'm not sure that there is anyone living today that has made a greater contribution to country music than Marty Stuart.
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