Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Stuart chatted about his latest endeavors, which include being a part of “There’s No Place Like Hometowns” on TCM (Turner Classic Movies).
He also opened up about his Country Music Hall of Fame induction back in 2020, and being an artist in the digital age.
In his personal life, he is the husband of country music queen Connie Smith (“Once A Day”).
‘There’s No Place Like Hometowns’ on TCM
“I love Turner Classic Movies, it has been great. I am probably one of the biggest and most loyal fans. Hanging out with those people felt like hanging out with family. It was wonderful.”
“I dearly love the work that Turner Classic Movies does. It’s a parallel universe to what I do or try to do in the world of country music,” he added. “They are in their own universe, promoting, reminding, and presenting classic films in such a cool and profound way. The hosts just bring it to life in a way that makes it accessible and informative to anybody that is watching,” he elaborated.
“It doesn’t matter what Hollywood is doing because Turner Classic Movies is doing it in a much cooler way, and that’s what we are trying to do with classic country music. We are trying to create new sounds and songs but we are standing on the foundation of a lot of legacy,” he added.
He praised “Turner Classic Movies” host Alicia Malone for being a “total pro.” “Alicia is so easy to talk to and she does her homework. She does a lot of deep research before she does any interview, and it just felt like a natural conversation that went smoothly,” he said.
“Turner Classic Movies offers films that are quality,” he said. “You will see things there that will inspire you and that will enrich your life.”
“I love writing songs because you can look at the paper, and say ’30 minutes ago, this didn’t exist.’ That was the same with the ‘There’s No Place Like Hometowns’ idea. We dreamed it up, and it was just an idea a few months ago. Now, there are people who make videos and they are sending them to us, and they are telling us about their hometowns,” he acknowledged.
“It has been talked about on Turner Classic Movies, and it is headed to Washington to be presented to the president and Congress to try to become a national holiday, and all of that is truly happening. Just watching it happen is one of my favorite parts of this experience,” he elaborated.
“I still love Small Town America. I still love towns that are small, independent and don’t have any big box stores at the edge of their towns. I love small towns, I really do,” he added.
Country Music Hall of Fame induction in 2020
Stuart reflected on his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2020. “That was the ultimate honor in the country music world. It’s one of those honors that you get and then you grow into. I was pretty astounded,” he said.
The digital age
On being an artist in the digital age, Stuart said, “I think it’s great because it offers any artist more freedom and more control of their own music. I love how instant it is, you can press one button and get your song heard around the world, that is pretty amazing.”
Resurgence of vinyl
“I also love vinyl and for the past several years that I’ve released a project there has always been a vinyl component to it,” he said. “Vinyl is final, and forever.”
Future plans
On his future plans, he shared, “We are out on the road touring, and the summer is about to get very busy. We have a lot of solo concerts and we are playing shows with Chris Stapleton this year. We are always working on a new song or two, and life as usual.”
‘Love of Dogs’ benefit in Nashville
Stuart is looking forward to the “Love of Dogs” benefit concert in Nashville on May 17, which helps the Pedigree Foundation. “Everybody on my bus loves dogs, so that was a big reason we said ‘yes’ to do it,” he said with a chuckle. “We love dogs. My friend Emmylou Harris is the one who tuned me into that world. It’s a worthy cause and I am honored that they reached out to us,” he exclaimed.
Lynn Anderson
He also noted that this past week, he saw a photo of the late but great country queen Lynn Anderson when she came by and did their television show. He recalled fond memories of the “Great Lady of Country Music.”
“Lynn looked so cool in that pink hat and those sunglasses,” he said. “Lynn was a star, when she walked into the room, she was a star. Lynn had a great spirit; she was so vibrant and I truly miss her.”
In his hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi, he shared that they are doing a series of murals, where every mural is painted by a noted artist and it pertains to country music songs. “Of course, ‘Rose Garden’ was No. 2 on that list, and the Lynn Anderson rose will be memorialized on the wall of a building in Philadelphia, Mississippi,” he said.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Stuart said, “Altitude.” “That’s the name of the new record that is coming out on May 19. It’s a record that is really cool, it’s a cosmic country album. ‘Altitude’ is a good word for everything that is going on right now in my life… it is way up in the sky,” he said.
His new album “Altitude” is available for pre-order by clicking here.
Success
Regarding his definition of the word success, he said, “The freedom to do what you believe in and to leave the rest behind.”
Marty Stuart thanks the fans
For his dedicated fans, Stuart concluded, “Thank you, I appreciate those people. Some have been coming since my solo career in the 1980s, and some go beyond that, who have seen me play in Johnny Cash’s band and Lester Flatt’s Band in the ‘70s. We have loyal people.”
To learn more about Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Stuart, check out his official website and follow him on Instagram.
