Marty Stuart photo courtesy of The Greenroom PR.

"In reality," Marty recalls, "our band started on this record years ago when we first formed. In the beginning, we'd listen to blues giants like Muddy Waters and Little Walter and then go play traditional country music. We'd watch Jimmie Rodgers films -and then go play bluegrass. Or we'd listen to Buck Trent, who played electric banjo with Porter Wagoner, and then go sing gospel songs. All music mattered to us. Everyone's music seemed to contribute to the founding of the Superlatives. We were encouraged and inspired by so many people when we were gathering our power and locking in our own identity. Those influences continue to follow us to the bandstand. One of our main goals has always been to bring the bandstand along with us to the recording studio, every time we go."

That live onstage, alive on records presence is also seen regularly by TV viewers these days, on RFD-TV's "The Marty Stuart Show," which adds a new chapter each week to the tradition of simple, electrifying country TV with varied live sounds, and top level guests. "The Marty Stuart Show" is currently the number one program on the network, as it has been for the last two years. "It gives me a good feeling to know that country music is alive and well on television on any given Saturday night," states Stuart. "After people work hard and cope with the pressures of life throughout the week, going out to a show or tuning in to watch some characters in cowboy clothes, singing and playing songs about real life is something I relate to. The show is not only a staging ground for legends and icons, but it especially welcomes a new wave of kids coming along in need of a place to sing and play authentic country music. Personally, it's been helpful to have that show to go to as I developed Ghost Train. Most of the songs on this record were presented on the air before they were recorded. I'd invite the audience to respond and they did."

"Developing Ghost Train (The Studio B Sessions) was a life changing experience in many ways," Marty adds while strumming on a guitar from his celebrated, lovingly assembled collection of country music treasures (a flat top that once belonged to Hank Williams Sr. no less). "These songs have been lived through and this project comes from the heart. I've said it many times, it's amazing what happens when you fearlessly follow your heart, whatever the cost. It always leads you to the right place. This time, it led me home to traditional country music and the result is the music of Ghost Train (The Studio B Sessions). I'm comfortable with that, as a matter of fact, I'm very proud of it, it's truly who I am."

By Barry Mazor
Nashville