Will There Ever Be Any New Episodes of “The Marty Stuart Show”?
Since its inception in 2008, The Marty Stuart Show airing on RFD-TV has been one of the few bright spots on the television dial for true country music fans. Featuring Marty’s backing band The Fabulous Superlatives, and regular appearances by Marty’s wife Connie Smith, as well as Leroy Troy, Eddie Stubbs as the announcer, and a host of others, it was one of the few places where you could find quality country music in a spirited and entertaining setting on television.
Though the audience for The Marty Stuart Show is not as big as with major network shows, some guest appearances on the show have gone on to become legendary, like the appearance by Brandy Clark early in her career, The Quebe Sisters, Hank Williams III, and so forth and so on, making past episodes of The Marty Stuart Show an excellent compendium of traditional country music for folks to sift through and discover something new, along with keeping the spotlight shining on those artists left behind by the mainstream that Marty would regularly invite on the show. From Willie Nelson to Merle Haggard, to newer stars such as Brad Paisley, artists love to play The Marty Stuart Show.
The Marty Stuart Show has logged a total of 174 episodes, but not a single new episode has aired since 2014. It’s been three years now, and fans of the RFD-TV program are getting restless for some fresh shows. So has the show been cancelled, put on indefinite hiatus? When can fans expect new episodes?
“Right now everything is up in the air,” says RFD-TV Program Director Jeremiah Davis. “There is nothing in the immediate future, but you never want to say never. It’s still a very highly-rated show on RFD-TV, even after all of these years.”
In other words, the show hasn’t been officially canceled, Marty Stuart hasn’t officially decided he won’t be taping any new episodes, but don’t hold your breath waiting on new stuff because it’s not likely to come in 2017, if it ever does.
Marty Stuart’s officially explanation of why there won’t be any new episodes in 2017 is because he wants to focus more on touring this year. Marty released his latest album Way Out West produced by Mike Campbell on March 10th, 2017, and has been on tour ever since. The conceptualized, West Coast-style country album was well-received by critics and the public for it’s expansive and forward-thinking approach.
Marty stated in numerous interviews in 2015 that he didn’t want The Marty Stuart Show to get stale from featuring the same guests each week, and left it up in the air if new episodes would ever be recorded, though stopped short of saying he was done.
“It’s standing the test of time,” says Jeremiah Davis of RFD. “It’s been a short time I suppose, but some of our most popular classic programming is ‘The Porter Wagoner Show,’ ‘Pop Goes The Country,’ those kinds of shows. And Marty, along with RFD-TV, has in some cases produced more episodes than some of those older series from the late 60’s, early 70’s, yet those shows are still going strong on RFD. So we know these shows stand the test of time, and there’s definitely and evergreen element to them, and they will remain popular.”
Episodes of The Marty Stuart Show are taped at Skyway Studios in Nashville, and everything that comprises the set is owned by Marty Stuart, much of which was part of his vast collection of vintage country memorabilia.
“I personally worked on the production of the first two seasons as the floor manager, and loved every minute of it. So I definitely feel a kinship to those shows,” says Jeremiah Davis. “Marty’s an incredible artist who is a fantastic individual and a great ambassador for music in general, not just bluegrass and country music. Typically speaking we would start shooting late October, and then take a break the third week of December for holiday reasons. Then after the New Year we would kick back into production. We would do shoots two days a week, and each day we would shoot two episodes. So we would get four done in a week.”
So like many of the classic television shows that withstand the test of time, perhaps new episodes are not needed to keep the legacy of The Marty Stuart Show going, though it sure would be nice to add to that legacy at some point if Marty is still up to it.
“We’d love nothing more than to have him back,” says Jeremiah Davis. “And I know our viewers would too.”
July 18, 2017 @ 10:37 am
I’m not necessarily a fan of Hank III’s mix of music, but the first time I heard him was when he put on one of Hank Sr.’s suits and played his songs. I showed it to my mama and papaw, and even they were impressed. Hank Sr. is my favorite songwriter, and that was pretty cool to see.
March 18, 2023 @ 5:24 pm
I Totally Agree, Hank William’s Jr., Isn’t Totally Country, & Never Been In My FAVORITE’S LIST
July 18, 2017 @ 10:42 am
Some of my best memories from Nashville… Haggard, Price, Emmylou… Sat across from Hank Cochran on the same row, in front of me were Mr. Les Leverett. Wonderful memories and music. Country sound with great steel and fiddle!
October 25, 2020 @ 2:19 am
The Marty Stuart show was flat out the best program on T V period not just music program but all programs.
July 18, 2017 @ 10:42 am
Hall of Fame
These guys are an institution. The more they record, the better, in any format.
July 18, 2017 @ 11:17 am
That’s where I first saw Tim O Brien play the fiddle and sing, one of my biggest inspirations in the past 10 years, I hope they start it back up
July 18, 2017 @ 11:23 am
So what do we have to do to get the message to Marty that we want more? It’s the ONLY show I can watch with my elderly parents that we ALL enjoy. I was just wondering the other day why we haven’t watched it in awhile.
February 19, 2023 @ 12:47 pm
I love his show. More shows will be great. Real country, super bluegrass.
July 18, 2017 @ 12:13 pm
I’ve definitely missed the show and lost all my recorded episodes on DVR when I moved. As far as I know, there were ever any episodes after Chris Scruggs took over for Paul. They’re such an amazing band full of multi-instrumentalists and had great guests. Leroy Troy would make you feel like you were watching something from another time. I always wished RFD would have younger people in the audience since you always see the older generation in the audience for the Marty Stuart Show and Larry’s Country Diner. These were the best music broadcasting shows (music and talent wise) in all of TV and I would love to see them embraced by people my age and younger as opposed to all the contest music competitions that are popular.
I’m sure Marty knows what he’s doing, but if he ever brings the show back, I’ve got a list a mile long of guests I would love to see have the opportunity to be on that show. Just a couple I thought would be great would be Jayke Orvis with the mandolin connection and I think Bob Wayne would also be awesome with the Hank 3 connection and also with Kenny having played on at least one of his albums. Kenny and Bob seem like such opposites on the surface that I’m curious how that worked out.
July 18, 2017 @ 7:03 pm
I went to many of the tapings and there were always a good mix of younger people. Very well balanced. Wish they would do more
March 23, 2019 @ 5:07 pm
Sure would like some new episodes, but also enjoy the reruns.
July 25, 2017 @ 9:39 pm
I was lucky enough to get to attend several tapings. The shows that I went to, were a mix of older and younger people. I’m in my early 40’s so maybe you would consider me old, but there were people there half my age. They taped in the day, during the mid week, so that maybe limited who could attend. My best memory was when I took my parents, and Sheryl Crow was a guest. My dad is a big fan of hers, so he broke the rules and went up to talk to her. She was so gracious and nice. I was able to snap a few pics of them talking.
July 27, 2017 @ 1:35 pm
Awesome. I’ve got to see Marty live a couple times but never made it to any recordings of the show. My only assessment of the age is based on the quick shots of the crowd. My wife (38) makes fun of me (36) for watching a show and being into music that she considers to be geared to a more senior audience. On a related note, I love going to see live music (blues, country, and metal) and I have always been one of the youngest guys at the blues and traditional country shows and am now becoming one of the oldest guys hanging out at the metal shows. I typically only go see metal bands that were big when I was younger (first wave of death and thrash metal from mid 80s to early 90s) but they are getting younger crowds which I guess is good.
July 27, 2017 @ 7:37 pm
I still like metal also.I saw Guns N’ Roses last year on the reunion tour, and it was a mix of people from 16-70. I am just a fan of great music and musicianship. I don’t care for bluegrass, but you have to respect the great players. I know many of the audience people where older “regulars” who lived close. One of them brought in Hank Snow’s toupee one time. He had it in a glass case. Pretty funny.
July 18, 2017 @ 12:39 pm
Does anybody know if this is on any streaming services
July 19, 2017 @ 4:34 am
RFD is on DirectTVNow. I’ve got it and it only cost me $35 a month.
July 18, 2017 @ 1:51 pm
Well. I didn’t know there weren’t any new episodes.
goes to show how often I watch.
It already became stale.
Connie Smith every week, doing the same basic type of song every week, yeah stale is a good word.
Porter Wagoner show went to bits when they moved to Opryland and started featuring pathetic half-talents like Nat Stuckey and Linda Moore.
Connie Smith every week? yeah I can understand why that would get stale.
Pop Goes the Country had it’s best episodes when Tom T. Hall was the host.
at least that’s my opinion. not that I dislike Ralph Emery I just found Tom T. to be more spirited and engaging and creative.
It’s tough for a peformer to sell the same format time and time again.
same stage, same band, same number of tunes, same routine
“open with a classic Country song, guest performs, connie sings, Marty does an original, leroy sings, hymn time, guest performs”
it’s the same routine every episode.
at least shake it up, have multiple guests come in and jam, improv, have leroy open with marty then have eddie stubbs fiddle more.
it’s not hard to come up with a few new ideas.
maybe one episode can be four or five guests all in a row performing George Jones duets with marty or with connie.
I still watch hee-haw every week though
July 18, 2017 @ 2:20 pm
I am perfectly fine with them repeating the format when they at least incorporate a guest every episode that performs at the beginning and end of the show like they do. That being said, I think that’s a fair critique, especially incorporating more Eddie Stubbs! If it helps keep the attention of more people, it couldn’t hurt. Also as you noted, and no disrespect to Connie, but I do find myself fast forwarding through her part often when I’m re-watching an episode. I see why they would want to include her every show though. I’m sure there is a portion of the audience that looks forward to her.
July 18, 2017 @ 2:33 pm
Connie is beyond stale. Everything she sings sounds the same. Leroy Troy is awful as well.
Marty had some great guests and collaborations on his show. I always tuned in for that.
Speaking of Marty, what is with all this talk recently of him being such a “legend”? Marty’s heyday was in the 90s. I was alive in the 90s, and he was never a big deal unless he was riding the coat tails of more popular artists.
July 18, 2017 @ 4:19 pm
I personally love Leroy Troy because he showcases what country music was built on the old clawhammer style of banjo playing and old time mountain music. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but nothing will ever please everyone. As far as Marty being a legend if you know anything about him you know he has the largest private (soon to be public) country music memorabilia collection there is. If you’ve never seen any of it or heard about it you should check it out it’s absolutely amazing! He’s a photographer who has photos from the time he was 13 starting with Lester Flatt of so many legendary stars, he’s worked with tons of them and has some awesome photos. We hear so many people talking about how the ‘new’ country isn’t country anymore but he keeps it real. Go to one of his shows what a great mixture of bluegrass, country, gospel legendary country, and his new album Way Out West has some surf music thrown in. He hasn’t had the most country hits and such but he keeps it real and remembers the masters and the legends so that those who come after us will remember them as well.
July 18, 2017 @ 8:23 pm
I’ll agree that Marty has a great collection of memorabilia and is a good photographer. This does not make a country legend.
I saw the memorabilia collection when it was on display in Nashville, and it is impressive. More so than the lackluster Country Music Hall of Fame.
I’m not a Marty-hater. I’ve seen him live several times, although I’ve been less than impressed. The man only has a handful of hits, yet he only seems to do one or two in his live show. I’ve not enjoyed a full project of his since 2003’s “Country Music.”
July 18, 2017 @ 4:27 pm
your nuts. his last few albums have been the best country out there. Connie and Leroy are great too
July 18, 2017 @ 8:42 pm
I meant this to be for your comment below, but since I couldn’t reply directly to that, I’ll write it up here. I have no authority whatsoever on Marty Stuart being a legend, but Way out West is a killer album, and Saturday Night/Sunday Morning is great too. I am currently working my way through his albums just based on the strength of Way Out West, so those are the only two full ones I can comment on so far, although I’ve heard some songs from others, but they were both albums released well after 2003, and I am thoroughly impressed and saddened that I haven’t been a Marty Stuart fan sooner. Again, I no this is in a reply to the legend comment, but I have no comment there because I really couldn’t make a case either way 🙂
July 19, 2017 @ 6:18 am
Marty is a great curator and preserver of his heros. Everything from his outfit to his stars is an homage to these people. I am sure he doesn’t have a big budget for this show. It’s short and enjoyable. I love Connie Smith – big voice even at an older age. Leroy Troy harkens back to the Uncle Dave Macon era of the Opry. If the show were an hour long, they could do more of a mix up. I would say an Eddie Stubbs fiddle tune each week would be very welcome. Anyway, my .02.
July 19, 2017 @ 11:45 am
I like Marty and I love his band, but he is definitely a mixed bag in my book. I like his latest stuff with the Fabulous Superlatives the best, but I think the songs and his voice are just a tad below legend status.
July 20, 2017 @ 3:34 pm
Although I somewhat agree with your Connie comments, You couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to Marty and his career. He has played with some of the biggest Country greats and has always preserved the history of Country Music. Who the fuck cares about the “Hits” he is so true to his craft and true to the music he loves, has always had a great band and has proven his staying power a lot better than most of the 90’s performers. Marty is still in his heyday and probably as popular if not more now then ever and has legions of fans now that probably didn’t listen to his music in the 90’s. Everybody has the right to their opinion but yours is clearly wrong, remember this website is Saving Country Music, not knocking the greats that are trying to save it.
July 23, 2017 @ 12:34 pm
IMO, Connie Smith is the main reason to watch the show. She’s one of the dozen or so greatest female country singers and Marty, well, he’s a good showman but not particularly one of my favorites. I can see why some would definitely prefer one over the other – Connie is one of the “pure” vocalists like Kitty Wells, George Jones, and George Strait who is all about the singing and while Marty is more in the “glitz” category with Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, and Dwight Yoakam. Nothing wrong with either group but most people prefer one over the other. My main problem with the show is it’s a brazenly low budgeted affair like everything else musical on RFD. I look forward to Marty Stuart – and Connie – doing something on another network.
July 24, 2017 @ 10:44 am
I agree with your comment about Ralph Emery. While he’s done a lot for country music, I’m just not interested in watching or listening to him for some reason. Now that Tom T Hall is gone I can’t get enough of him.
July 18, 2017 @ 3:54 pm
How about a bluray or dvd release? I have seen where it was on dvd supposedly but have never seen copies for sale, even second hand on ebay. Streami g would also be nice on Netflix.
July 18, 2017 @ 5:10 pm
Marty is a major player and a walking musical encyclopedia. The golden chain runs through him. He has gold standard taste in players and music, cutting across every possible division. I could easily see him featuring all the young talent noticed by SCM. Throw in a skit or cornfield and give Trig himself a cameo. Marty is in a position to be the forum through which the next generation of country music gets noticed. He (and some others) are the new wooden circle, because he and they are the players that KNOW. Not corporate types. Not bandwagoners. Not “bro’s.”
Marty is a whole lot more than his “hits.” At this point, he’s a roots music institution.
July 18, 2017 @ 5:23 pm
With so many things going on in Nashville, why doesn’t CMT pick up the show instead of showing “Steel Magnolias” for the millionth time? Marty is one of Nashville’s best ambassadors for traditional music. CMT does not have to be only videos, countdown shows and new episodes of “Nashville.” It would be great to see a modern take on the show that was once hosted by Ralph Emery and also Crook and Chase. How about a show about Americana music? How about a weekly show that features entertainment venues? I heard Kellie Pickler/Faith Hill were developing a show, but have not heard anything recently.
July 18, 2017 @ 6:00 pm
Amen Brother Ray.. CMT should move the show to the Ryman, call it Marty’s Late Night Jam, and film on hi def six 45 minute specials full of clasaic and rising country artists. Have Elizabeth Cook as guest host in place of Ernie Stubbs (who could be a guest player instead). That way, it could be cross promoted on Sirius XM Outlaw Country.
July 18, 2017 @ 8:26 pm
CMT doesn’t seem to have much interest in the Country Music aspect of Country Music Television. Although, at least Steel Magnolias actually has a country icon starring in it. I can’t say the same for the majority of the films they show.
Kellie Pickler currently has an awful reality show airing on the network. Faith Hill is developing a daytime Oprah-like chat show for syndication. I think it’s supposed to begin airing later this year.
I’d LOVE to see a revival of Nashville Now/Prime Time Country, but I can’t see it happening. Crook & Chase tried to revive their show a decade or so ago, and it just didn’t work out.
July 19, 2017 @ 8:16 pm
Don’t hold your breath on that one.
Country music awards are the only music awards shows with no Alternative categories. These people have very strict guidelines for what is and isn’t acceptable and they’ve made it very clear that insurgent Outlaw Country artists don’t fit their idea of ideal programming.e
July 18, 2017 @ 5:42 pm
I pay extra to get RFD channel. I am not going to continue to pay to watch old shows that I have seen many times. I am tired of old shows. If you aren’t going to have new shows I will cancel RFD.
July 18, 2017 @ 11:04 pm
It took 6 years to get the 9th season of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
July 20, 2017 @ 5:41 am
And I can’t wait!
July 19, 2017 @ 6:25 am
No new episodes in 3 years doesn’t sound promising to say the least.
Looks like the Marty Stuart Show is the TV equivalent of a Josh Turner album. Infinitely delayed.
July 19, 2017 @ 7:21 am
People are sick to death of what CMT pushes as country Marty will go down in history as someone who embraced tradition and the older artists. Marty and the guests on his show also are responsible for inspiring many young artists in the traditional realm.
July 19, 2017 @ 9:09 am
Larry’s Country Diner doesn’t do it for me, so this is about my only slim hope of decent music on TV going forward. Marty needs to think about the aspect of preserving musical heritage vis-à-vis the performances he would be able to continue to record for posterity. C’mon Marty–cinch that scarf up and get in the studio!
Connie and Leroy can share a slot of more traditional or comedy acts to feature each week. Rodney Carrington comes to mind. etc.
July 19, 2017 @ 9:26 am
Larry’s Country Diner was most enjoyable when Larry was recovering from his accident and had guest hosts (Jeannie Seely, Bill Anderson, etc). Larry Black doesn’t know shit about country music, and it’s quite embarrassing. He should just let Keith Bilbrey take over.
July 23, 2017 @ 12:41 pm
I don’t consider Larry’s Country Diner a real show. It appears to be an infomercial masquerading as a country music program. You get two songs from a decades off the charts singer (or someone who has never had national success) who usually sings just accompanied by a guitarist. I suspect they are not being paid (hence no full band) and are there usually to hawk their self-released cd. Then there’s about three minutes of pretty good comedy from the woman playing “Nadine” – after that it appears to be little more than an endless plugs for boots, chicken, and whatever other product a representive of the company just so happens to be hawking. Larry Black knows country music – it’s just apparently not his top priority here. Selling cruise ship tickets, dvds of his specials, and the various sponsors stuff is.
July 19, 2017 @ 6:39 pm
I didn’t realize there was that many episodes. I wish RFD would cycle through them in reruns a little better. Seems like the channel always airs the same few.
July 19, 2017 @ 7:06 pm
I love the show just the way it is. Hate that he isn’t making any more presently , but appreciate him having the great guest that he has had. His love of traditional music dating back to the Original Carter Family and having their grandchildren guest was classic as Hank III was. Seeing Buck Trent was special. I grew up watching The Porter Wagoner Show, The Johnny Cash Show And Hee Haw. Out of those three…Cash showcased many country and non country artist but he had who HE wanted on there. Same with Marty. He chose who he wanted on the shows. They both made excellent choices in my opinion. Kept me watching every time they aired. Thank God we have Marty Stuart. He keeps it real and has more talent than some are giving him credit for. His band is second to none. We want you back!!
July 20, 2017 @ 2:39 pm
I understand Marty wanting to tour more. But if they were to produce it like they did Hee Haw, he could tape a season of shows in a couple of weeks. And he could break those two weeks up where they didn’t run consecutively. Seems like the show isn’t much of a priority to Marty right now.
September 30, 2017 @ 2:28 pm
I like and agree with a lot of what has been said here except for the knocks on Larry Black and Larry’s Diner. That is the only show I know of where I even love the commercials. It is a very enjoyable show
that I can sit back and enjoy from beginning to end. I am booked on the next cruise and hope that they are as entertaining in person as they are on television. I have never done this sort of thing before but I am looking forward to this.
Nolan
December 2, 2017 @ 1:32 am
Hi, I first saw The Marty Stuart show here on Foxtel a few years ago here in Melbourne Australia. My wife and I loved it so much and now it’s gone. Seeing all the old legends perform was awesome. That was the best half hour entertainment you could wish for. Marty and the band had such great sound. I wish it could could back, Mark.
December 25, 2017 @ 9:53 am
Please come back , I’ve been a fan for over twenty years. This old Vietnam veteran needs some good old country music, not the stuff they call country now a days
January 29, 2020 @ 10:18 pm
Can’t change from Direct to Dish, we would lose all our recorded Marty shows.
One of the first we saw featured Dierks Bentley. It also had Marty and the Superlatives turnin’ the bear loose on “Runnin Down a Dream.” We leave it cued up at .11 to play three or four times when we feel like a lift in the spirits.
Just think, what if we could not record these shows to enjoy at any time.
Viva Marty and Viva RFD-TV!
February 1, 2020 @ 10:10 am
In my opinion, the show was perfect in concept and execution. I never get tired of hearing Connie sing – truly a legend. Leroy was a great link to the distant past with his song selections. The guests were always varied and entertaining. And Marty’s and Kenny’s guitar work puts the vast majority of today’s 6-string slingers to shame. True country music is getting as hard to find as an honest politician…
March 25, 2020 @ 11:44 am
The Marty Stuart show was the best show on T V period.
August 22, 2020 @ 5:20 pm
Please have Connie sing “I TOUCHED THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT”
September 5, 2020 @ 5:56 pm
I watch the Marty Stuart show just to see Connie Smith. Connie is my favorite Singer.
December 18, 2020 @ 10:03 am
I could get watch marty Stewart with all the singer’s Connie Smith. Marty and his band best show on tv
December 25, 2020 @ 7:26 am
My husband and I still watch each week and dream of the day Marty starts to record again. Still our favorite show ♥️
January 9, 2021 @ 6:20 pm
Seems to me that this is not a time to tour. Seems perfect for live TV shows to take the place of live venues. Where are all the televised concerts given that there are no live ones?
Marty! Come back to RFDTV!
January 18, 2022 @ 3:31 pm
Marty is one of the best guitar/mandolin players in the world. I saw him perform at Cotter, AR
a few years back and he was great. He brings many great musicians on his show and some of the older ones with dignity & respect. I would like to see some new shows.
December 29, 2023 @ 12:12 pm
I got to be an audience guest with my Dad in the RFD Marty Stuart Show for 2 Episodes taped the same day. It was at North Star Studios -Dickerson Pike in Nashville, same plaza where all the RFD Country Shows are taped-Larry’s Country Diner,etc. I got a Motel across from the Studio,so next day just drove across the street. Charley Pride taped 1st Show,break for lunch,Brad Paisley taped 2nd Show. Even had Marty shout out to me on another Show for being a faithful viewer. I loved this Show.
Kitty Wells made an appearance but her 97yr old singer husband cancelled last minute.
George Jones made an appearance but couldn’t sing because of his throat. Jerry Lee Lewis didn’t show up for a taping because he was sick to his stomach,But his Guitar/Fiddler Kenny Lovelace showed up and performed with Marty. Marty said he wanted to take a 10year break but will do another Show,but will be different and different format. Marty did 6 seasons of the RFD Show.