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Founded 05-05-05

Marty Stuart: An Original MerleFest Picker Returns

Story by David Brewer

“Several years ago I produced a Christmas album with Andy Griffith,” mused country legend Marty Stuart. “Everyone around was asking him Mayberry questions and I promised myself I wasn’t going to ask him anything.”

Unfortunately, even Stuart was star-struck and couldn’t resist prodding one of North Carolina’s favorite sons about the legendary sit-com that, even now, continues to live on in reruns. Toward the end of the sessions for the album, Stuart approached Griffith and asked him how it felt to work with Don Knots, Ron Howard and the others.

“He said it was the ‘perfect cast’ and that he looked forward to coming to work every day,” said Stuart. “That’s how it feels to work with the Fabulous Superlatives. It’s just the right combination of people.”

Since his appearance alongside banjo master Earl Scruggs at the very first MerleFest in 1988, it has not been uncommon to spy a mandolin-toting Stuart on stage during the last weekend in April in Wilkesboro. A professional musician since age 13, the Mississippi native ought to know a thing or two about his picking partners. Stuart has served time in the bands of Johnny Cash, Lester Flatt and Vassar Clements, just to name a few.

With his Fabulous Superlatives—guitarist Kenny Vaughn, drummer Harry Stinson and new bassist Paul Martin—Stuart has transitioned from hitmaker to critic’s darling with releases including the gospel roots project Soul’s Chapel and the bluegrass-oriented Live at the Ryman. The four-time Grammy winner’s solo releases such as Badlands and the 2007 duet compilation Compadres have also illustrated the veteran’s considerable musical versatility.

Stuart enjoyed his greatest commercial success in the early ‘90s with top-10 solo singles such as “Hillbilly Rock,” “Tempted” and “Burn Me Down." He also scored hits through a fruitful partnership with another young traditionalist, Travis Tritt. The pair had top-10 successes with such duets as “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’” and “This One’s Gonna Hurt You (For a Long, Long Time)."

Unfortunately, the longtime Nashville resident’s hits didn’t translate into live success at MerleFest for a time. According to Stuart, one particular appearance tested his ability to appeal to the festival audience at the height of what he called his “ass wigglin’ hits.”

“I had to really stretch it to make it even come close to working in front of that audience,” said Stuart.

A lover of mountain music since childhood, Stuart recalled both the first time he heard “Spike Driver Blues” and fell in love with the Strictly Instrumental album with Flatt & Scruggs, as well as the first time he saw Doc and Merle perform.

“It was in Bean Blossom, Indiana,” said Stuart. “When they walked out and did their thing, a hush fell over the crowd. It was like they were having church right there in the woods.”

Stuart heaped praise on Doc and Merle for their incredible music, wide-ranging repertoire and unconventional approach, all of which he feels are reflected in the festival’s eclectic nature.

“As time goes on, Doc just proves he’s really an American treasure,” said Stuart. “To be in Doc’s presence really inspires me.”

When asked whether he’d like to take the stage and pick a few songs with his friend Doc, Stuart’s reply was simple.

“Suits me,” he said.