By Ken Paulson –
Throughout his performance last night at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Marty Stuart emphasized the unique nature of the concert, saying “This is never going to happen again.”
That’s true of course, because this was the final evening of Stuart’s Artist-in-Residence series, but it would be a shame if the Country Music Hall of Fame doesn’t find a way to create a new role for him, something along the lines of Ringmaster in Chief.
Stuart brought three rings of entertainment and insight to the Hall of Fame over the past three weeks, showcasing everyone from Chris Stapleton and Emmylou Harris to go-go dancers.
He and the Hall staff masterfully put together three distinct evenings and then populated them with extraordinarily talented people.
Last night was no exception. The theme was “Songs That Tell A Story” and Stuart’s guests included John Prine, songwriter Dallas Frazier, Brandy Clark and Doug Kershaw.
Among the highlights:
Stuart’s first guest was Dale Jett, the grandson of A.P. and Sara Carter of the Carter Family. Jett’s back-to-basics performance was a revelation, particularly welcome in a week in which America is caught up in the history of Country Music via Ken Burns’ documentary. Jett did one of his own songs about compassion, pulled out a rarely heard A.P. Carter song about a cyclone killing children at a local school and then joined Stuart for a robust “Sunny Side of Life.”
Stuart and the Superlatives performed a breathtaking rendition of Marty Robbin’s “El Paso,” a song the band worked up for Grady Martin’s (he played guitar on the record) induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Great harmonies and guitar work throughout.
- Legendary songwriter Dallas Frazier delivered his classic “There Goes My Everything” in fine voice. He explained that the song was inspired by Ferlin Husky’s divorce. Husky had the publishing rights on the song, so his pain was eased a bit when it became a hit, Frazier noted.
- In a night filled with music veterans, Brandy Clark was the newcomer and more than held her own. She told of seeing John Prine at the Americana Music Honors event at the Ryman a few years back, and how after he received an extended ovation, Prine said he wished he was “who you thought I was.” That led to Brandy’s song of the same name and a soaring, resonant performance.
- Prine received another warm welcome last night, with many audience members aware of this recent medical setback and grateful for his return to the stage. After his opening song “Egg and Daughter Night,” the always gracious Stuart complimented Prine’s guitar-playing. Prine, not known for his guitar work, seemed taken aback and said “I’ll show you if you have five seconds.”