Marty Stuart Artist-In-Residence Comes as Hall of Fame Induction Looms
You’ll be hard pressed to present another country music personality more responsible for helping to save country music in the last quarter century than Marty Stuart. Though he never had the big hits as some of his contemporaries or slayed stadiums full of adorning fans, his work both in the public eye and behind-the-scenes to preserve the legacy of country music is unparalleled from a performer, and is well-appreciated by the country music faithful.
When the recent inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame were announced in March with superstar country duo Brooks & Dunn being inducted via the Modern Era category, credible sources said that Marty Stuart, along with The Judds, Keith Whitley, Tanya Tucker, and The Gatlin Brothers were among the final ballot nominees being considered for the spot.
Being named the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Artist-in-Residence doesn’t preordain induction into country music’s most honored and exclusive institution (and HOF geeks love to drive this point home), but it certainly did for a handful of the 15 artists who’ve filled that spot previously, including “Cowboy” Jack Clement, who was the first ever Artist-In-Residence, Marty Stuart’s wife Connie Smith, Vince Gill, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, and others. The spot has also been filled by musicians who are not in the Hall of Fame at this point, but ones who you wouldn’t be surprised getting in sometime soon, including Guy Clark and Rosanne Cash. In the last couple of years, the Artist-In-Residence recipients have veered more contemporary, with Jason Isbell filling the spot in 2017, and Miranda Lambert in 2018.
But now it’s Marty Stuart’s turn, who along with the year-long honor, will perform three exclusive performances with his backup band The Fabulous Superlatives at the Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater on September 11th, 18th, and the 25th. Expect ample guest appearances from many of Marty Stuart’s friends, including many who’ve appeared on his annual Late Night Jam during CMA Fest over the years. The appearances will also coincide with the airing of the Ken Burns-produced 8-part Country Music documentary on PBS, of which Marty Stuart plays the major roll as lead curator through country music’s storied history.
Many of the artifacts that adorn the Country Music Hall of Fame come from Marty Stuart’s personal collection, which is one of the biggest in private ownership. In the 80’s and 90’s when country music had its big commercial wave, entire wardrobes of vintage country music stage clothing, as well as reams of paperwork and boxes of mementos were ending up in thrift stores and dumpsters around Music City, with Marty rescuing many of these pieces of history and preserving them for the future. His collection has become so large, he is planning to open the Congress of Country Music in his hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi to house and present all the artifacts, along with holding workshops, concerts, and symposiums. Stuart has also spent years photographing country legends and important places to further preserve the music’s legacy.
“Marty Stuart has made country music his life’s work, and I cannot imagine the music without him,” says Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “He has preserved its history, photographed its legends and performed its music with integrity. Marty’s music reaches beyond traditional country, drawing influence from genres including Americana, southern gospel and hillbilly rock. Marty’s residency will no doubt deliver truly unique and memorable experiences.”
Marty Stuart is a country music lifer. He began performing at the age of 12 with the Sullivan Family Gospel Singers, and then did stints as an understudy in the bands of Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash. In the early 90’s he achieved his greatest commercial success, charting eight Top 20 hits, including “Hillbilly Rock” and “Tempted,” and toured regularly with Travis Tritt under their “No Hats” name. In the early 2000’s when the hits stopped coming he formed the Fabulous Superlatives, which currently includes “Cousin” Kenny Vaughan, drummer Harry Stinson and, Chris Scruggs. Marty Stuart owns four Grammy Awards among other accolades, and his 2017 record Way Out West was highly acclaimed, including being nominated for Saving Country Music’s Album of the Year.
“The ultimate destination in the world of country music is the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum,” Marty Stuart says about the distinction. “The Hall of Fame is our greatest treasure chest and a place that represents the heart and soul of our culture. Some of my most cherished memories are of events I’ve either witnessed or performed in at the Hall of Fame. It’s an honor to be the artist-in-residence this September. Hopefully, at the end of the run, the past, present and the future of country music will have been touched upon, leaving in its wake three nights of magic to be remembered at the Hall of Fame.”
If there was ever a performer in country music history who may have not racked up the monster sales and charting numbers that normally qualify you for induction into the Hall of Fame rotunda, but deserves induction for the preservation work they’ve done for the genre as a whole, it would be Marty Stuart. Hopefully the Artist-In-Residence distinction moves him one step closer to that reality.
Tickets for the Artist-In-Residence shows go on sale to the public Friday, April 19, 2019, at 10 a.m. Eastern.
April 17, 2019 @ 11:13 am
When he goes in, will it be in the non-performer category?
April 17, 2019 @ 12:00 pm
Lemme guess, you don’t like Marty Stuart.
April 17, 2019 @ 12:10 pm
No, it will be in the Modern Era category as explained above. The CMA secret committee wouldn’t dare spend a non performer pick on anyone but some unknown label executive who made millions skimming from artists so tourists can stare at their bronze plaque and wonder who the fuck he is for enternity.
April 17, 2019 @ 1:36 pm
That is hilarious but also (sadly) true
April 17, 2019 @ 8:18 pm
Don’t they put people like Hank Cochran in as non-performer?
April 17, 2019 @ 8:36 pm
Hank Cochran was a songwriter. It’s songwriter/touring or studio musician/non performer rotating every three years.
April 17, 2019 @ 1:30 pm
Honky – here is a suggestion: Everyone already knows that you do not like 99.9% of country performers, and certainly no country-adjacent performers (not sure why you even follow this site to be honest). But in any case, it is completely redundant for you to post your negative opinions, as everyone already knows how you feel. Now, if you happen to have something insightful to say, feel free to post it.
Save yourself and everyone else here the time, and stop posting your tired b.s. about how no act lives up to your high tastes. And yes, you will say that you were simply asking a question above, but it’s obvious that it was meant to be another attempt to let everyone know you don’t like an artist.
April 17, 2019 @ 5:21 pm
All My Haters,
I love Marty Stuart. I just think his contributions as a non-performer have exceeded his contributions as a performer. The question wasn’t meant to be an insult, you knee-jerk-reactionary bastards.
April 17, 2019 @ 6:02 pm
Yes and no. Has he racked up hits because he has a one in a million voice, no. Has he sold a bazillion tickets to suburban people who fall for his weepy savvily marketed sentimentapalooza, no. Has he honed his craft with love and precision, hired the best, invested in the history, and been the most congenial ambassador for the quality and dignity of country music for over a generation? Yes. That’s why we love Marty. He’s great, but he remembers he’s still one of us.
April 17, 2019 @ 6:06 pm
what a weak cop out Marty has released non stop kick ass albums with the Superlatives for the last 15 years and if that doesn’t appeal to you then no you do not love Marty Stuart you spineless fraud.
April 17, 2019 @ 6:37 pm
the point, if you can find it, is Marty is not a Garth Brooks $uper$tar, but that doesn’t make him any less worthy to be in the HOF. in fact, on account of his skill and lifetime commitment, it makes him worthier.
pro tip, lighten up on the meth
April 17, 2019 @ 8:01 pm
Well, that’s a very odd point of view Honky, for all the reasons listed here. But, if you want to back it up with some reasoning, you are more than welcome to respectfully have it, and nobody will fault you for it.
April 18, 2019 @ 8:02 am
Agree.
Marty has 3 roads to the HOF:
– singer/lead act: I love his stuff, you love his stuff, but the general public would consider him a second tier 90s act. IMO, that puts him on the fence at best.
– musician: automatic HOF. World class multi-instrumentalist who was involved in some of the most important bands in country and bluegrass history.
– historian: the HOF should have a special induction ceremony just for his work preserving and teaching the history of country music to the world. His efforts in this area are worth more than all the gold Garth Brooks ever made.
April 17, 2019 @ 5:52 pm
Non performer? what an ignorant comment,not only is Marty a ridiculously talented fiddle and guitar player he has been writing playing and recording real Country and Western since he was 14 years old where he began alongside Lester Flatt and The Nashville Grass and has been releasing great albums non stop ever since- his most recent album being in 2017 along with hosting The Marty Stuart Show bringing both new artists and legends (from Merle Haggard to Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Mel Tillis,Ralph Stanley,Jessi Colter etc etc on to play and has more than any other country and western musician fought to keep tradition alive including opening a museum in Nashville in the next year dedicated all to Country and Western music legends and will be filled with their instruments, memorabilia and stories, fact is Marty has more talent in his pinkie finger than you have in your entire family tree. if you were attempting to show you are nothing more than another cowardly clueless troll congratulations Queen Honkyshire you have proved that irrefutably – again.
April 18, 2019 @ 6:14 am
Is there an example of Marty playing the fiddle anywhere?
I’m a HUGE fiddle enthusiast and a pretty experienced player so I’ve heard forever about his fiddle playing but I’ve never heard an example of it
April 18, 2019 @ 7:38 am
Found this one: https://youtu.be/HpyogSwGOQo
It’s not long, and the audio quality is cringingly horrible (probably an old VHS tape somebody uploaded).
April 19, 2019 @ 1:12 pm
I’m sure if you dig around bluegrass collections, you’ll find a photo or two of Marty playing the fiddle. He’d often play a tune working with Flatt and even Cash from time to time.
April 18, 2019 @ 9:31 am
I’ve left a handful of benign comments on here. Why did you censor them? I need you to be specific please.
April 18, 2019 @ 11:37 am
Honky,
Ad nauseum, and over and over, I have explained this situation to you. Look at this comments section. You train wrecked it, like you’ve done dozens of other comments sections. And I don’t give a shit if you think you were misunderstood. You have burned through so much social capital with your shitty remarks, it doesn’t matter what you say. Your sheer presence is a massive distraction. And half your comments are about comments. People leave and read comments here about the topics being discussed, not about other comments. I have tried as best I can to be explanative and understanding, and I remain committed to operating an open comments section. But no longer will you be allowed to train wreck comments sections with your bullshit. Figure it out, or move on. And ANY other comments you EVER leave about comments, or not understanding the rules, will immediately be deleted. Period.
April 19, 2019 @ 3:50 pm
I’ve seen Marty Stuart and his “superlative” band in concert a few times — it was awesome.
April 17, 2019 @ 11:47 am
“..with superstar country duo Brooks & Dunn being inducted via the Modern Era category, credible sources said that Marty Stuart, along with The Judds, Keith Whitley, Tanya Tucker, and The Gatlin Brothers were among the final ballot nominees being considered for the spot.”
Any word on the finalists for the Veteran’s Era spot?
April 17, 2019 @ 12:17 pm
I believe The Stanley Brothers and Linda Ronstadt were in the mix. No Hank Jr. or Jerry Lee Lewis consideration at all.
April 17, 2019 @ 2:59 pm
What about Ray Charles? The H-o-F blew a big opportunity in not inducting him while he was still alive. It would have done more for country music and the H-o-F than for Charles.
April 19, 2019 @ 9:01 am
Is this the same luckyoldsun that used to post on the smileshop BITD?
April 17, 2019 @ 12:02 pm
To me, Marty Stuart is country in its most idealistic form. To me he’s the equivalent of a group like Rush for country music.
April 17, 2019 @ 12:46 pm
Obligatory like for Rush reference.
April 17, 2019 @ 12:32 pm
Marty Stuart is a country music Renaissance Man. The Artist-in-Residence is well deserved, and I hope a future induction is in the cards for him.
April 17, 2019 @ 12:46 pm
Shout out to all the musicians out there: play Marty’s music. It’s country, it’s fun to play, and people enjoy it. Let’s make make some Marty tunes country standards.
April 17, 2019 @ 1:59 pm
we’ve never stopped playing HILLBILLY ROCK since the day it was released….
April 17, 2019 @ 6:08 pm
Country Boy Rock and Roll
April 17, 2019 @ 1:11 pm
I used to have this argument on a defunct website. I wrote at the time that when Kenny Rogers did the Ariist in Residence gig, that meant for certain that he was getting in. My theory is that when an artist who clearly has all the credentials to be in the H-o-F is invited to be Artist in Residence, that’s a sign that he’ll be inducted into the H-o-F. To invite a world superstar like Kenny Rogers to be Artist in Residence, have him accept and perform for the Hall and then to not induct him, would be an outrageous snub. I had the same idea with Ricky Skaggs, with all his #` hits and spectacular work in the ’80s.
Of course, if it’s a left-field artist like Buddy Miller, who lacks the commercial credentials to be in the H-o-F, doing the Artist in Residence thing is not going to result in him being inducted. I’d say Marty Stuart is somewhere between Ricky Skaggs and Buddy Miller. Being Artist in Residence improves his H-o-F chances immensely. Ditto for Rosanne Cash.
If Hank Jr. or Tanya Tucker were to the the Artist in Residence gig, I think they’d be elected to the H-o-F immediately. Like with Kenny Rogers. (I don’t know if Jerry Lee is in condition to do it.)
April 17, 2019 @ 7:54 pm
I get the feeling the CMA and the Hall of Fame don’t want to be associated with Jr. He’ll get inducted after he’s dead. He’s too loose of a canon to give any kind of platform.
April 17, 2019 @ 4:13 pm
Just saw him and the Fabulous Superlatives for, I think, the fourth time in the last 3-4 years.
If there’s somebody doing it better right now the list is pretty short. They can all play their asses off, Kenny Vaughn is a virtuoso, they can all sing, they’ve got some pizazz and personality.
He’s got a standard joke, after they come out and rake for 4 songs Marty says, “Thank you and good night!” To be honest, those 4 songs blow away a lot of pricier shows.
Seems like an HoF no brainer to be honest.
April 17, 2019 @ 4:41 pm
Marty Stuart is one of only five or six people whom I respect as having a knowledge of Country Music that surpasses my own. The man has truly “made country music his life’s work” and not just as a career.
April 17, 2019 @ 6:57 pm
Is Eddie Stubbs also among that 5 or 6?
April 18, 2019 @ 6:11 am
Yes, I would say Eddie Stubbs knows more than I do about Country Music
and I say that about very few people.
April 17, 2019 @ 5:43 pm
This announcement gives me more hope that he could very well be the 2020 Modern Era inductee. That hope started with him getting a stadium slot during CMA Fest.
Didn’t Ricky ramp up his Opry appearances and played more country than bluegrass the year or so before he was announced as a HoF inductee? If Marty ramps up his Opry appearances, he just might have the lock on 2020.
April 22, 2019 @ 8:54 am
A.B.,
These were supposedly the finalists for the Hall of Fame this year in the Veterans and Modern categories and there were 7 finalists in each category this year and they were:
Veterans Era: Crystal Gayle, Mickey Gilley, The Osborne Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, The Stanley Brothers, Ray Stevens and The Wilburn Brothers.
Modern Era: Brooks & Dunn, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, The Judds, Marty Stuart, Tanya Tucker, Steve Wariner and Keith Whitley.
What do you think?.
April 17, 2019 @ 7:37 pm
I listened to his badlands concept album a couple of weeks ago for the first time and I can’t stop listening to it, it’s incredible.
April 17, 2019 @ 7:43 pm
Late to the Marty Party here. I do not pretend to know the criteria for HOF inclusion, but if it is for an artist’s total body of work and contribution to the genre, I honestly do not think there is anyone who is not yet in the HOF that is more deserving than Marty.
In fact, there are some in the HOF already that are not as deserving as Marty.
Musician, composer, writer, entertainer, scoring films, singer, preservationist, ambassador, well-respected by peers in country and other genres, etc. etc.
And the BEST darn 4-piece band going. Hope he gets in.
April 17, 2019 @ 10:57 pm
I saw Marty and his band last October at Rupp Arena opening for Chris Stapleton. He and the fabulous superlatives were amazing. It was a great concert. He still can play the fire out of a mandolin. And of course he played Clarence White’s b bender tele. It doesn’t get much better folks.
April 17, 2019 @ 11:42 pm
I better see Marty in there or I’ll stop believing in
Country / Bluegrass music. HE, certainly deserves it.
Randy Price / A veteran picker
Odessa, TX.
April 18, 2019 @ 3:59 am
If you’ve never had the chance to see Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives perform live, then I recommend you do so the next time the opportunity rolls around. THE FINEST group of musicians I’ve ever seen on stage, country or otherwise. I’ve pretty much given up on seeing anyone else because at some point I inevitably compare them to the Superlatives and no one comes close. Kudos to Marty for this honor… Great musician, great ambassador and just an all-around nice dude. (& well deserving of Hall Of Fame)
April 18, 2019 @ 6:12 am
He’s in my neck of the woods in a few months unfortunately it’s part of that dumb duo tour with the Steve Miller Band.
I wouldn’t pay to see the Steve Miler Band
April 18, 2019 @ 4:30 am
He really has it in his soul,also he loves the old way of doing things an it’s sounds.great entertainment.
April 18, 2019 @ 5:38 am
Marty has been very good for Country Music for many years and in many ways, despite that Country Music hasn’t always been so good to him. Can’t imagine anyone who would cherish a HOF induction more than Marty. It would certainly help his bragging rights at home.
April 18, 2019 @ 7:12 am
RFD still airs The Marty Stuart Show with his Superlatives taped a few years back. Good stuff…..and an interesting mix of guests on it. Roger McGuinn was on a few weeks ago.
April 18, 2019 @ 9:48 am
Wonder if guys like Whitey Morgan and Cody Jinks will ever get into the Opry and such ?
April 18, 2019 @ 1:49 pm
Never understood the Hall’s (or the city of Nashville’s) fascination with him, other than an obvious appreciation for his knowledge of & desire to preserve country music artifacts. He was never a big “star,” he hasn’t had an overly impressive number of hits …. and yet he seems to have a lot of political importance in the country music world. But for him, everybody knows Connie Smith, as dear and talented a lady as she is, would have never been inducted into the Hall (as she, too, was never very commercially successful. She had ONE #1 country hit). Outside of hardcore fans of older country music, most don’t even know who Connie Smith is … .I don’t get it. I do get that his association and long-standing with the Cash family, etc., all weighs in his favor; however, that’s not what an induction is supposed to represent
April 19, 2019 @ 3:55 pm
Seriously? Connie Smith was never very commercially successful? I think, perhaps, you don’t know your country music history.
April 18, 2019 @ 2:06 pm
There’s a long list of country stars that should be inducted before Marty Stuart. Maybe at some point his day will come but think of the artists who have had a much more major impact on country music, some maybe before Marty was even born.
Think about The Wilburn Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lynn Anderson , The Judds, The Gatlin Brothers, Jeanie C. Riley, Mickey Gilley Crystal Gayle and several others.
April 18, 2019 @ 2:20 pm
Huh. Seeing a pattern with some of these comments.
The first thing everyone needs to understand is how Hall of Fame induction works. There are two categories: Modern Era and Veterans Era. As a modern Era candidate, that means that Stuart would not be competing with Jerry Lee Lewis, Lynn Anderson, Mickey Gilley, Crystal Gayle, and other names such as that. There is a full breakdown of how artists are chosen here:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/how-are-performers-elected-to-the-country-music-hall-of-fame/
Of course the process is political, and that’s probably how Connie Smith got in before others. But “impact” is in the eye of the beholder, and isn’t just resigned to hits.
April 18, 2019 @ 2:15 pm
If Marty goes in the Hall Of Fame before many older country stars that helped lay the foundation for country music then the HOF induction process will be a huge joke & lessen its influence even more than ever. Look at Marty’s hits, look at his tours , record sales etc. True he has done a lot to promote the tradition of country artists but is that part of the criteria for induction ? Maybe a few years down the road for Marty but certainly not now. If so politics in Nashville is still alive & well as it was with the induction of Connie Smith.
April 18, 2019 @ 3:09 pm
Nobody has certainly campaigned for HOF inclusion more than Marty did for Connie, with the exception of Dottie West supporters & rightfully so & more than Marty has for himself with his various connections around Music City. Sometimes the public campaigns have resulted in the HOF turning their backs on them seemingly suggesting they will not be influenced which is a good thing. With Dottie West it had to happen, unless the committee ignored her like they have The Stoneman’s, an early family group that were pioneers in country music in same era as The Carter Family & Jimmie Rodgers.
I like to see the HOF committee honor the quiet legends whose career speaks for itself such as Bobby Bare, Mac Wiseman with no campaigning or politics.
April 18, 2019 @ 8:11 pm
Bobby Bare and Mac Wiseman were both inducted into the H-o-F several years ago, so that doesn’t make sense.
And a very knowledgeable poster here a few weeks back suggested that internal politics got Wiseman in ahead of the better credentialed Stanley Brothers.
April 19, 2019 @ 4:38 am
My message didn’t say Bobby & Mac were not in the HOF. I very well know who is & is not in the HOF. The point was that it’s good to see the quiet legends honored for their work as opposed to those who campaign for it. So it makes perfect sense.
Marty’s work pales in comparison to the success of many other artists. I agree 100%
with comments made above by Country Junkie. That sums this issue up in one paragraph !!!
April 19, 2019 @ 8:27 am
I believe Mac Wiseman deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. But his induction was definitely a product of the same lobbying system that got in Connie Smith, and Ray Stevens for that matter. The Veterans Era is an absolute mess, and is almost solely based around who can figure out who is on the CMA secret committee, and bug them the most about it. With Wiseman’s association with the CMA for years, he had a distinct advantage.
April 18, 2019 @ 6:37 pm
Again, Marty’s overall volume of work cannot be ignored. He deserves it.
April 19, 2019 @ 6:45 am
Luckyoldsun : My comment makes perfect sense. I know well who is in the HOF. I work with them often as well as other Nashville stars. The point was it’s much better to see the quiet Legends honored when their career speaks for itself instead of having those artists who strive to be inducted & campaign for it.
Marty’s work is ok but it pales in comparison to many other much more deserving artists.
The comments by Country Junkie above sums this issue up very adequately!!
April 19, 2019 @ 8:23 am
The finalists for the Hall of Fame this year were supposedly:
Veterans Era: Crystal Gayle, Mickey Gilley, The Osborne Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, The Stanley Brothers, Ray Stevens and The Wilburn Brothers.
Modern Era: Brooks & Dunn, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, The Judds, Marty Stuart, Tanya Tucker, Steve Wariner and Keith Whitley.
April 19, 2019 @ 1:08 pm
Ray Stevens induction over the Stanley or Wilburn Bros. is unpardonable if this is correct.
April 19, 2019 @ 11:01 am
I don’t think I’ve ever seen or heard Crystal Gayle & The Osborne Brothers or Linda Ronstadt listed for Veterans or Steve Wariner listed for Modern.
Somehow, it seems Lynn Anderson should be nominated before any other veteran female. Not that the others aren’t deserving. It’s so interesting how some great record breaking country entertainers often get overlooked for too many years.
April 19, 2019 @ 1:10 pm
What about Rose Maddox and her brothers?
April 20, 2019 @ 6:28 pm
The problem we all make in considering one’s worthiness to be inducted is comparing them to others who have not yet been inducted. But if it were possible, we should just look at the artists themselves and their overall body of work and contribution. Of course Hank Jr. should have already been in and way before Ray Stevens. Does ole Ray deserve to be in? Probably if we were only looking at him.
Thus is the case with Marty. Regardless of who is not yet in, his work and contribution stands on its own. An easy decision.
July 27, 2019 @ 6:10 pm
Trigger,
The finalists for the Hall of Fame in the Veterans and Modern categories this past year actually were:
Veterans Era: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Crystal Gayle, Mickey Gilley, The Osborne Brothers, The Stanley Brothers, Ray Stevens and Hank Williams, Jr.
Modern Era: Brooks & Dunn, The Judds, Marty Stuart, Tanya Tucker, Steve Wariner and Keith Whitley.
What do you think?.
July 27, 2019 @ 6:26 pm
Hey Richie,
It seems like I’ve seen this comment multiple times on the site, and answered it a few times. I’m not really sure what I think about it. Once I get into Hall of Fame pontification mode next spring, I’m sure I’ll have more to add. Thanks for the interest.
September 11, 2019 @ 7:35 pm
Hall of Fame museums are tricky. As a huge sports and music fan, you learn that there will be differences of opinion on any candidate.
I can see how some would think Marty should wait until others are elected. I have artists I feel are forgotten and that should be in: my two favorites are Eddie Rabbitt and Earl Thomas Conley. That is just the tip of a huge iceberg of artists waiting for their turn.
However, the question should not be about who gets in first, but if Marty Stuart deserves to be in.
I admit I am biased: Johnny Cash and Charley Pride, Marty Stuart and The Mavericks. They are my favorites.
Marty’s contribution is his music, his experiences and his passion. He was President of the Country Music Foundation from 1994 to 2001 and was a major player in the building of the museum we are talking about here. He has been in the business for nearly 50 years. Marty has worked with the greats and many artists have asked for him to work with them.
He is one of the most under appreciated instrumentalists in music; a young mandolin prodigy who went from working with Lester Flatt to playing guitar with Johnny Cash. They saw the talent and passion. Go look for videos of Marty on TNN, especially the rockabilly show he did with Ricky Skaggs and Brian Setzer. See him in concert with the Fabulous Superlatives.
Since I mentioned TNN, let us not forget he had two successful television shows (TNN and RFD).
Go through his discography: Bluegrass, Country, Americana, Gospel… listen and you will find some folk, rockabilly and rock. Way Out West was the absolute vision of the California sound. You get Bakersfield, the beach (the music and the harmonies), and San Francisco (think folk rock).
He can pay homage to the music and his heroes while making it his own and making his own music. Marty can perform with any artist in any genre.
Back to the experiences-Marty truly has enjoyed his journey and has his vast collection of treasures and photos to show. His Congress of Country Music will be a showcase of musical history. Marty knows what it takes to get a museum together. Look at the books Marty has released with his photos. In some ways he is a walking history book of Country Music. I think his part in the new Ken Burns Country Music series makes that point as well.
I do understand the record sales and chart success argument. As a baseball fan, I was big into the numbers; home runs, wins, and so forth. I have a copy of both the Billboard Top 40 Country Hits and Top Country Albums. Marty may not have the “statistics” of George Strait or Loretta Lynn, but if you go through the Hall, you will find members that do not have a “strong chart presence.”. If you base the Hall on the numbers alone, there would be some major issues.
Again I am biased but Marty’s contributions as a musician, artist, historian and advocate make him worthy of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
If you want to play catch up on who gets in, let the Hall do something special in 2021. When the new hall opened in 2001, 12 were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Let us do something special on the 20th Anniversary of the move: Elect Marty then with a group of others for a major celebration. If Marty gets in next year though, no complaints here.