The Grand Ole Opry will honor one of country music’s most beloved ambassadors, Marty Stuart, on his 20th anniversary as an Opry member on Sat., Dec. 8. Stuart will be celebrated during a one-hour segment on each of the night’s two shows with performances by his wife and fellow Opry member Connie Smith, along with Charley Pride, Old Crow Medicine Show, and songwriter Brandy Clark. Also appearing with Stuart will be Phyliss J. Anderson, Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, along with two Choctaw dancers.
The evening’s shows will be held at the Ryman Auditorium, where Stuart made his Opry debut alongside Lester Flatt in September of 1972 at age 13.
“Marty has won the love and respect of all of us at the Grand Ole Opry as well as friends and fans around the world,” said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. “Like the Grand Ole Opry itself, Marty celebrates and showcases all the styles under the country music umbrella. He has the utmost respect for our musical heritage while also working tirelessly to ensure country music’s future growth. We’re excited to celebrate his Opry anniversary at the Ryman, the stage on which his Opry career began when he was just a teenager.”
Since starting out singing gospel as a child, Stuart has shown a missionary’s zeal for every conceivable style of country music. From his bluegrass stint with Lester Flatt in the '70s, the six years with Johnny Cash in the '80s, the smash "hillbilly rock" hits of the '90s, to his current traditional style, the five-time Grammy-winner and platinum recording artist is one of country music’s greatest ambassadors. The self-proclaimed renaissance man is a country music memorabilia preservationist, stylist, designer,photographer, songwriter, and leader of the versatile touring and recording band The Fabulous Superlatives.
