Marty Stuart Lends Vocals and Guitar to a Powerful New Americana Single
NASHVILLE, TN – Americana band Clarence Tilton will release their new single, “Fred’s Colt,” on October 11, featuring country music icon Marty Stuart on vocals and guitar. Stuart plays his famous “Clarence White” guitar, adding a layer of depth and historical resonance to a song that contemplates family legacies, the darker chapters of American history, and the tension between protection and violence.
Marty Stuart’s Connection to Clarence Tilton
The connection between Marty Stuart and Clarence Tilton began in 2019, when the band first opened for Stuart in Omaha. During this initial meeting, Clarence Tilton frontman Chris Weber had the chance to hold Stuart’s iconic Clarence White B-Bender Telecaster. “The elevator doors opened, and there was Marty Stuart, just sitting there,” recalls Weber. “I didn’t know what to say, so I pointed at his Tele and said, ‘There it is!’ Marty just handed it to me. Holding it felt akin to holding my family’s Colt Dragoon — powerful, mysterious, dangerous, and heavy.
“I didn’t mean to show more enthusiasm for the Clarence White tele than I did Marty … but we’re guitar nerds first!”
That moment marked the beginning of a lasting relationship between the two acts. Now, Stuart’s contribution to “Fred’s Colt” brings their connection full circle. His distinctive vocals and guitar work on the track complements the song’s themes of history and legacy.
“I loved this song the moment I heard it. It is a breath of fresh air, real writing,”
says Marty Stuart.
Weber says Stuart’s contribution to the song “really blew our minds. What he did was so cool — not just the solo but all the little parts in between. It was a real lesson for us from a real pro who gave our tune his undivided attention.
“There just ain’t anyone else like Marty Stuart,” Weber says.
A Song Rooted in Family and American History
Written and sung by Clarence Tilton frontman Chris Weber, “Fred’s Colt” explores the legacy of a Civil War-era Colt Dragoon passed down through his family. The piece, inherited from Chris and brother/bandmate Corey Weber’s great-great grandfather, Fred, skipped two generations of Tiltons — both cases where fathers outlived their sons. The song reflects on the possible role this heirloom played during westward expansion, with lyrics like “Side saddle cavalry, Comanche moon in ’53, on the wrong side of history” and “Maybe it kept them all alive.”
Through vivid Western imagery and personal reflections, “Fred’s Colt” weaves together family history and America’s past, offering a narrative-driven exploration that honors the legacy while carefully avoiding glorifying its darker elements.
A Defining Moment for Clarence Tilton
“Fred’s Colt” will also be featured on Clarence Tilton’s upcoming 2025 full-length album, Queen of the Brawl, positioning the Omaha-based band for national attention. With their ability to blend Americana, indie rock, and rich storytelling, they’ve carved out a space for themselves in a competitive music landscape. They’ve shared stages with acts like Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Lone Bellows and Stuart himself. This release of “Fred’s Colt” is set to propel them even further.
Clarence Tilton’s sound is rooted in influences like Neil Young, Son Volt, The Allman Brothers, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and James Gang. Their music blends alt-country grit, rich, melodic hooks, and evocative storytelling, offering a fresh take on the American experience. Defined by time-crafted three-part harmonies, dual songwriters, and roots-driven instrumentation, their sound resonates with both Americana purists and indie rock fans alike.