10/29/2007 Stephen L. Betts Marty Stuart and Porter Wagoner had been scheduled to play several concert dates together in early 2008, in support of Porter’s Wagonmaster CD, which Marty produced. While fans will unfortunately not get to witness what would have no doubt been a special night, Marty feels the loss most intensely, and recalls the past year with both sadness and fondness: “Losing Porter is going to take a whole lot of getting used to as he’s been a part of my life for so long. I grew up watching his television show in Mississippi and it was as if he were a member of our family. After I got to know him, he was. He was a masterful showman, who understood the art of the final act. He left the world on top. "Some of the things that soften the blow of his passing are all the memories from the past year. We made a wonderful record together that got him lots of acclaim, he celebrated his 50th anniversary with the Grand Ole Opry, he had a new generation of kids in love with him and his music, the awards were coming, the Martin Guitar Company had named a guitar in his honor, and he was asked to light the nation’s Christmas tree at the Pageant of Peace celebration in Washington, DC next month. One of the last things he said to me was, “You’re gonna’ have to call the President and tell him I won’t be able to sing him any Christmas songs this year. Maybe next year.”
