Marty Stuart
b. 1958, Philadelphia, Mississippi, USA. Stuart learned the mandolin and played with the Sullivan Family Gospel Singers, and went on the road with Lester Flatt when only 13 years old. After Flatt's death in 1979, Stuart became part of Johnny Cash's band. He married Cash's daughter, Cindy, although they were soon divorced. Cash was among the guests on his BUSY BEE CAFE. Stuart had a US country hit with Arlene in l985. When his first album for US Columbia, MARTY STUART, did not sell they shelved plans to release a second, Let There Be Country, which featured Emmylou Harris and Mark O'Connor. He has appeared on many albums, including all-star gatherings such as WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN, VOL.2, CLASS OF '55 and HIGHWAYMEN. In 1988 he returned to playing mandolin for Jerry Sullivan's gospel group and he subsequently produced their highly acclaimed album, A JOYFUL NOISE. He revitalized his own career with a powerful mixture of country and rockabilly called HILLBILLY ROCK for MCA. His duet with Travis Tritt, The Whiskey Ain't Workin', was a US country hit and they worked together on the ‘No Hats’ tour. He was part of Mark O'Connor's influential 1991 album, THE NASHVILLE CATS. Stuart collects rhinestone suits, owns one of Hank Williams' guitars, tours in Ernest Tubb's bus and follows his dictum of ‘Hillbilly rules, OK?’