Interview
Marty Stuart
06 October 2017 (released)
06 October 2017
Marty Stuart is a country icon. However, by many in the UK he was one that was often overlooked in the UK in favour of earlier icons. All that changed earlier this year when he returned with a new studio album and an appearance at Country 2 Country that blew everyone away. As he returned to the UK for Country Music Week, we caught up with him to find out more about his new best of collection.
Hi Marty, are you enjoying your stay in the UK?
I am having a great time. I did Jools Holland in London, which was great.
You took a long break from the UK, was it Country 2 Country that prompted your return?
It was around this time last year that I was discussing their offer. I thought it might be a good chance to see where the market was at. It has been 10 years and a lot had changed. I look and sound very different. I have high hopes now, but I am also realistic. When I came over to do the shows I found it very inspiring, as it worked. When I came over and made the statement that I would be coming back at least once a year, I meant it.
We absolutely love the new collection of your great hits. Tell us about it.
It's volume 1 right now, but there is more coming. Jo Ashbridge at the record label over here decided to put the release out. I had no idea. I hadn't thought about looking back over my recordings. It was the first time I ever took a moment to stop and listen to everything I have ever done. There are still some awful and still some really great ones in there. It has really put me in touch with my musical legacy.
In the States there is a lot more variation to what I do than just the record. I have books, museum exhibitions, photography exhibits. Right now I have an exhibition at Grammy's Special Exhibits Museum in LA. We are talking about doing something similar over here. There are lots of different things we are planning.
What was the biggest lesson your learnt from compiling the album?
More than anything the collection showed me that in my early years on Columbia and MCA I was still really searching for my own style. Tempted was really my first step into finding my own sound and style. I also realised that it is when I don't care about the results and when I am not chasing a particular goal that I get my best results. You can never beat a great studio, great band and a great performance. Any time I have chased a particular goal I have had to compromise my own input.
You have had amazing success this last year, what is next?
My next step is to asses everything, to see what works and what I need to improve upon. Next year I hope to be back over for more festivals, headline shows and lots more.
Hi Marty, are you enjoying your stay in the UK?
I am having a great time. I did Jools Holland in London, which was great.
You took a long break from the UK, was it Country 2 Country that prompted your return?
It was around this time last year that I was discussing their offer. I thought it might be a good chance to see where the market was at. It has been 10 years and a lot had changed. I look and sound very different. I have high hopes now, but I am also realistic. When I came over to do the shows I found it very inspiring, as it worked. When I came over and made the statement that I would be coming back at least once a year, I meant it.
We absolutely love the new collection of your great hits. Tell us about it.
It's volume 1 right now, but there is more coming. Jo Ashbridge at the record label over here decided to put the release out. I had no idea. I hadn't thought about looking back over my recordings. It was the first time I ever took a moment to stop and listen to everything I have ever done. There are still some awful and still some really great ones in there. It has really put me in touch with my musical legacy.
In the States there is a lot more variation to what I do than just the record. I have books, museum exhibitions, photography exhibits. Right now I have an exhibition at Grammy's Special Exhibits Museum in LA. We are talking about doing something similar over here. There are lots of different things we are planning.
What was the biggest lesson your learnt from compiling the album?
More than anything the collection showed me that in my early years on Columbia and MCA I was still really searching for my own style. Tempted was really my first step into finding my own sound and style. I also realised that it is when I don't care about the results and when I am not chasing a particular goal that I get my best results. You can never beat a great studio, great band and a great performance. Any time I have chased a particular goal I have had to compromise my own input.
You have had amazing success this last year, what is next?
My next step is to asses everything, to see what works and what I need to improve upon. Next year I hope to be back over for more festivals, headline shows and lots more.