Marty Stuart began his career when he was just thirteen, in Lester Flatt's bluegrass band. After Flatt passed away in '79, he continued playing with fiddler Vassar Clements and guitarist Doc Watson. He then played the guitar with Johnny Cash for six years.
In 1982 he released his first album, Busy Bee Cafe on the Sugar Hill label. His band included Doc Watson, Merle Watson, Johnny Cash, Jerry Douglas, and Carl Jackson. His initiative landed him a deal with Columbia Records, the hit 'Arlene' in 1985, and a self-titled album a year later. Stuart then transferred to MCA in 1989 and released Hillbilly Rock in 1990, which hit top ten on the charts. Stuart used classic instruments on stage, including Clarence White's Fender Telecaster guitar, a D-45 owned by Hank Williams Sr., and a D-28 owned by Lester Flatt. His collection was a major exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 1996.
His sophomore album, Tempted, created hits 'Little Things', 'Till I Found You' and 'Burn Me Down'. Around the same time he collaborated with Travis Tritt to produce 'The Whiskey Ain't Workin'', which became a hit. The duo won a Vocal Event of the Year Award from CMA in 1992 and a Grammy the next year. The same year, Stuart joined the Grand Ole Opry. His third album, This One's Gonna Hurt You, was released under MCA and also included another track with Travis Tritt. The album went gold and sold over half a million albums.
Love & Luck was released in 1994, and Marty won a Grammy for his performance of 'Red Wing' in a tribute to Bob Wills. A year later, he released The Marty Party Hit Pack, which was not only a greatest hits release, but also an illustration of Stuart's genius. The Nashville Network produced numerous 'Marty Partys' where Marty and his friends played live on television. He married Connie Smith in 1997 and later composed the soundtrack album for All The Pretty Horses.
Before Stuart released his next album, he collaborated with many artists, including Steve Earle, Willie Nelson, George Jones, George Strait, Wade Hayes, Buck Owens, Travis Tritt, and Wyonna Judd. Stuart then released Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best, which included his greatest creations of the previous couple of years. Country Music was released in 2003, and Marty began to tour all over the nation with Merle Haggard.
Marty Stuart has won five BMI Awards for his creative songwriting talent. He has also hosted the TBS show 'Roots of Country Music' and is named the International Ambassador of Tourism for Nashville. He is involved in advertising media through Mazda truck commercials.
