Marty Stuart
Best known for
Guitar
Marty Stuart is a bluegrass prodigy turned country star turned preservationist — a Lester Flatt sideman at age 13, a Johnny Cash band member by age 21, a mainstream country star in the 1990s, and since 2002 the leader of the Fabulous Superlatives playing deeply traditional country music. His multiple careers cross-pollinate constantly, with his bluegrass roots informing his country work and vice versa.
- Born John Marty Stuart in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Showed musical prodigy from early childhood.
- Joined Lester Flatt's Nashville Grass in 1971 at age 13 as mandolinist and fiddler. Played with Flatt until Flatt's 1979 death — eight formative years that made Stuart an honorary elder statesman despite his youth.
- Joined Johnny Cash's touring band in 1979 after Flatt's death. Married Cash's daughter Cindy Cash in 1983 (divorced 1988).
- Solo country career launched in the late 1980s. Platinum-selling MCA albums in the early 1990s: Hillbilly Rock (1989), Tempted (1991), This One's Gonna Hurt You (1992).
- Duets with Travis Tritt (“The Whiskey Ain't Workin',” Grammy-winning 1991 single).
- Married Connie Smith in 1997. The couple have remained musical and marital partners since.
- Founded the Fabulous Superlatives in 2002 — lead guitarist Kenny Vaughan, steel guitarist Chris Scruggs (grandson of Earl), drummer Harry Stinson. The band has played exclusively traditional country, bluegrass, and gospel ever since.
- Host of The Marty Stuart Show on RFD-TV 2008–2014 — a throwback country variety show featuring bluegrass, traditional country, and gospel.
- Extensive collection of country music artifacts including Hank Williams's clothes, Johnny Cash's guitars, and more — the basis for the Congress of Country Music museum currently under development in his hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi.
- Six Grammy Awards across his career.
- Inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1992. Country Music Hall of Fame induction 2020.
- Continues to perform and tour with the Fabulous Superlatives. Based in Nashville.
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Lester Flatt and the Nashville GrassPlayed on recordings with Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass
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Doc and Merle WatsonPlayed on recordings with Doc and Merle Watson
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Red AllenPlayed on recordings with Red Allen
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Lester FlattPlayed on recordings with Lester Flatt
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Lester Flatt and Mac WisemanPlayed on recordings with Lester Flatt and Mac Wiseman
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Marty StuartPlayed on recordings with Marty Stuart
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Curly Seckler and the Nashville GrassPlayed on recordings with Curly Seckler and the Nashville Grass
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Kathy MatteaPlayed on recordings with Kathy Mattea
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June CarterPlayed on recording with June Carter
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Marty Stuart And His Fabulous SuperlativesPlayed on recording with Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives
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Ralph Stanley and FriendsPlayed on recording with Ralph Stanley and Friends