MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2021 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Branning, Chassaniol, Sparks, McCaughn, Suber, DeLano, Blackwell, England, Seymour, Fillingane, Jackson (32nd)

Senate Concurrent Resolution 521

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE INDUCTION OF MULTIPLE GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER-SONGWRITER MARTY STUART INTO THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

     WHEREAS, a native of Philadelphia, Mississippi, Marty Stuart is a multiple Grammy Award-Winning, American Country Music Singer-Songwriter, known for both his traditional style and eclectic merging of rockabilly, honky tonk and traditional country music; and

     WHEREAS, Marty received his first guitar at the age of three.  He began his professional career at the age of 12, playing mandolin at events and touring with the Sullivan Family Gospel Singers.  Stuart soon dropped out of school to play mandolin with Lester Flatt and his band, "The Nashville Grass."  During his time with Flatt, Stuart met a diverse group of musical greats, including Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Chick Corea, the Eagles, Emilylou Harris and Bob Dylan.  He played with the band until the group disbanded in 1978.  After Lester died, Marty toured with Johnny Cash's back-up band as a guitarist and married Cash's daughter, Cindy, which ended in divorce in 1988.  When he was 12 years old, Marty met country singer Connie Smith and literally fell in love.  On the way home, he told his mother that he was going to marry her, which he did in 1997; and

     WHEREAS, Marty began his solo career in 1985 and released a self-titled album in 1986 through Columbia Records.  He released several albums with MCA Records and an additional album with Columbia Records, releasing hits such as "Burn Me Down" and "Little Things."  Later, he formed his own label called Superlatone Records.  Stuart recorded duets with Steve Earle, Willie Nelson, B.B. King and Travis Tritt.  He also worked behind the scenes, serving as producer for songs by George Ducas, Pam Tillis, and Jerry and Tammy Sullivan.  Stuart worked on film soundtracks for a diverse range of movies from the Steven Seagal action flick Fire Down Below (1997) to the Western drama All The Pretty Horses (2000); and

     WHEREAS, working again with Earl Scruggs, Stuart earned a Grammy Award in 2001 for Best Country Instrumental Performance for their version of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown."  Legendary Banjo Player Earl Scruggs had recorded the song decades earlier when he teamed up with Lester Flatt.  In 2002, Marty formed a band called the Fabulous Superlatives.  The group recorded several albums and toured with the likes of Merle Haggard and the "Old Crow Medicine Show Band"; and

     WHEREAS, Marty earned a Golden Globe nomination for the score he wrote for the film, "All The Pretty Horses", in 2000.  He has earned five Grammys, the CMA Award for Vocal Event of the Year in 1992 with Travis Tritt, and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance in 2005 at the Americana Music Honors and Awards.  Dedicated to preserving country music history, Marty became an accomplished photographer, capturing images of country music stars.  His work and memorabilia have been displayed at exhibits around the country.  He also served as President of the Country Music Foundation from 1994 to 2002; and

     WHEREAS, Marty has demonstrated his commitment to his home state of Mississippi.  He is in the process of establishing the Marty Stuart Congress of Country Music in his hometown of Philadelphia, which will serve as a cultural and educational center, and is expected to draw people from all over the world to Mississippi in order to showcase the state's rich cultural heritage of country music through live performance and educational programming; and

     WHEREAS, through these efforts, Marty Stuart demonstrates the soul of country music, and we now honor his most recent achievement:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the multiple Grammy Award-Winning Country Music Singer-Songwriter Marty Stuart on his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Marty Stuart, forwarded to the Marty Stuart Congress of Country Music, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Philadelphia, Mississippi, and the Mississippi Arts Commission, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.