Five time Grammy winner Marty Stuart began playing mandolin as a child and by twelve had joined a bluegrass band.At fourteen he joined Lester Flatt’s band, playing with him for six years, and then worked with Vasser Clements and Doc Watson, Finally landing in Johnny Cash’s band. Maybe this background with classic bluegrass and country music artists cultivated Stuarts deep appreciation for the culture of classic country and bluegrass music.

Marty Stuart began his solo career with his first album in 1985 and charted his first song on the country charts in 1986. 1991 was a big year for Stuart with several songs from his “Tempted” album reaching the charts, and a collaboration with Travis Tritt winning a Grammy for the pair.

Marty Stuarts dedication to classic country extends to his collection of music memorabilia, which has been displayed at the Tennessee State Museum and later at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum . When the Country Music Hall of Fame needed exhibit materials, they turned to Stuart for help.

Marty Stuart also hosts a weekly radio show modelled after the old Porter Wagoner musical variety show with his band the Fabulous Superlatives. This love of classic country will culminate with a museum and performance hall in his planned for his Mississippi hometown to display his collection of 20,000 country music artifacts, including handwritten lyrics from Hank Williams.

Mandy Barnett sang for the first time in public as a five year old at church. At eight her mother introduced her to the music of Patsy Cline which increased her interest in becoming a singer. As a ten year old, she entered a talent contest at Dollywood and won and by twelve a Nashville record label had signed her to a development contract.

On weekends her mother would drive her back and forth to Nashville from east Tennessee for voice lessons and to record demos. Finally at seventeen she moved to Nashville. Her love of Patsy Cline paid dividends when she was cast as Cline in “Always…Patsy Cline”  in which she has performed over 500 times.

Mandy Barnett is also a regular in the Grand Ole Opry where she has performed more than 400 times and she has taken her Nashville songbook, a collection of classic country songs into some unusual appearances including a New York cabaret and on tour with the Detroit Symphony.

On her most recent  release “Strange Conversation” Mandy Barnett has tapped into a different source for classic songs, choosing many pop and R&B composers including Neil Sedaka and Sonny & Cher. She says the album started falling in place after she chose the first song, a cover of an R&B classic from 1964.