Looking back nearly 25 years later I'm still very proud of them. I'd moved to Nashville with an eye to making records exactly like Hillbilly Rock and Tempted. As a musician, songwriter, historian, collector, photographer, author, television host and performer, Marty's a one-man army for the salvation of country music. I very quickly came to have a deep regard and respect for Marty Stuart that continues to this day. Marty knew everybody and we shared a serious love affair with country music, it's history, tradition and artists from an earlier time. As we began pre-production and choosing songs for that first album, I got to know Marty and learned of his coming up in the business playing with Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash. The guy had miles of charisma and presence like Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow, Lester Flatt, Porter Wagoner, Cash and so many others. It's not that I was sold on what Marty was doing as much as how he was doing it. The whole place is shakin', there's a something goin' on.

The juke joint's jumpin', when that cat goes on. Take a ride down the river, you'll see just what I mean. So when the heat starts to risin' and you gotta blow some steam. Doin' a little thing called the hillbilly rock. Tony, then vice-president of A&R at MCA Records in Nashville and on his way to becoming the top producer in town, whispered to me, 'I'm thinking of signing Marty, would you want to co-produce him with me?' Yes, of course I would. Keepin' up the rhythm, steady as a clock. Tony Brown and I watched from the wings as Marty swaggered his way through the opening set. Was aware of Marty Stuart from his single Arlene on Columbia Records, but my first encounter with him was new year's eve 1986 in Atlanta, Georgia when he shared a show with Steve Earle.

Hillbilly rock marty stuart