Bobby Karl Works The Room: Marty Stuart Marks Milestones
Marty Stuart. Photo: Chris Hollo
Chapter 660
It was quite a week for Country Music Hall of Fame member Marty Stuart, capped by his anniversary celebration at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night (Nov. 26).
Last Tuesday (Nov. 22), Marty and his Fabulous Superlatives—Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson and Chris Scruggs–were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. Marty first arrived in Music City as a teenage prodigy 50 years ago, so that was worth a celebration, too. He marked the release of a new record last week. And he was saluted at the Opry for his 30 years as a member of the show’s cast.
Backstage in the Green Room, an anniversary sheet cake with striking aqua-blue and black icing was presented. Marty personally cut and served 30 pieces of the confection to guests.
Storme Warren, George Gruhn, Dan Rogers, Don Schlitz, Riders in the Sky, Desi Smith, Jason Crabb, Connie Smith, Mike Terry and the Opry Square Dancers mingled, not to mention Hilda Stuart. Marty’s Mississippi mom had celebrated her 89th birthday the day before.
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives. Photo: Chris Hollo
On stage, Marty greeted a wildly enthusiastic Opry crowd. “Our job is to take the roof off this place,” he promised the throng. “We’re gonna fill it up with people I love.”
He showcased The Fabulous Superlatives on a rocking version of his 1991 smash “Tempted.” Fiddler Kenny Lovelace has been with the late Jerry Lee Lewis since 1967. Marty brought him out to play on the honky honking “Rough Around the Edges.”
Next, Marty introduced young Georgia bluesman Jontavious Willis. This was the artist’s debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage, and he made the most of it. After performing with Marty and the Superlatives, Willis confidently entertained solo.
The music of Jontavious Willis recalls the sounds of rural Black Southern performers of the 1920s through the 1950s. His feature at his Opry debut was “The World’s In a Tangle,” his reworking of a blues song recorded in 1951 by Atlanta’s Jimmy Rogers and in 1961 by Houston’s Lightnin’ Hopkins. It is also associated with Muddy Waters, whom Willis cites as a major influence. The 26-year-old Willis has been previously endorsed by Taj Mahal and Keb Mo. On Saturday, he got the ultimate country-music endorsement, a standing ovation at the Grand Ole Opry.
Show emcee Natalie Stovall squealed with delight at this Opry newcomer’s reception. When she interviewed Willis, he reminded her how close the blues and country music have always been.
Dan Rogers, Vice President and Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry, and Marty Stuart. Photo: Chris Hollo
With his sky-high hairdo, comedian Gary Mule Deer looks like a Marty Stuart relative. And that’s the way Marty introduced him. Again, he shared the stage with his guest, before turning him loose as a stand-up comic.
Marty also joined The Del McCoury Band after he announced the band as his next guests. Del dedicated “Nashville Cats” to Marty, calling the man of the hour “The Original Nashville Cat.” Marty first came to the Opry as a 13-year-old in Lester Flatt’s band in 1972, so he joined The Del McCoury Band in a spirited Flatt & Scruggs salute, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.”
The evening’s finale belonged to the show honoree. Marty cited Johnny Cash’s At Folsom Prison as his favorite country album. He performed that record’s gospel song “Greystone Chapel.” Then he created an ovation by introducing his new single, the Bakersfield-tinged rockabilly romp “Country Star.”
