READ TODAY’S INTERVIEW IN THE TENNESSEAN
Today, The Country Music Association announced the induction of Marty Stuart into the Country Music Hall of Fame’s class of 2020 in the Modern Era Artist category. Stuart is inducted alongside Dean Dillon (Songwriter Category) and Hank Williams Jr. (Veterans Era Artist). “It is the ultimate honor in Country Music,” says Stuart. “I’m so honored to be included in this class and I’m honored to be included alongside Hank Jr. and Dean Dillon. I love those people. To be officially inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame is beyond words. I’m usually not at a loss for words.” Details regarding a formal induction ceremony for Dillon, Stuart and Williams will be released as information is available. Full information about the class of 2020 inductees is available on the CMA site.
Marty Stuart also spoke with The Tennessean about the induction, becoming a touring musician at age 13, and what tradition means to him, sharing: “The most important question Ken Burns asked me … ‘Tell me about tradition,’” Stuart said. “There’s two versions of tradition. One, it can imprison you. … Or, it can inspire you and inform as you take whatever it is you’re taking into the future. For me, it’s about moving country music into the future. But, at the same time, I know where my feet are planted. They are planted on the bedrock of tradition. And it’s a mighty tradition. A holy tradition. “And I feel perfectly at home there.” Read the full interview via the Tennessean here.
Marty Stuart is a five-time GRAMMY-winner, platinum recording artist, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from the Americana Music Association, Grand Ole Opry star, country music archivist, photographer, musician, and songwriter. Since starting out singing gospel as a child, Stuart has spent over four decades celebrating American roots music. His teenage years on tour with bluegrass legend Lester Flatt in the ’70s were followed by six years in Johnny Cash’s band in the ’80s, and a chart-topping tenure as a solo artist in the ’90s. Stuart hosts a Late Night Jam at The Ryman, a yearly tradition which kicks off the CMA Music Festival, with recent guests including Dolly Parton, Jerry Lee Lewis, Neko Case, Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris, Dan Auerbach and many more.