FROM the age of 11, Marty Stuart was influenced by the music of Lester Flatt, little knowing as a self-taught musician that years later he would be playing in his band.

From 12, Stuart became part of a bluegrass band called The Sullivans, and was asked, by one of Flatts’ band members, to gig with them.

From 1978, he has worked with some of the musical greats including Doc Watson and Vassar Clements and, in 1980, joined Johnny Cash’s backing band and married Cash’s daughter Cindy.

He says: “I would like to think I have eclectic tastes and as much as I love Rockabilly and Honkytonk my true feelings are for the traditional sounds of country music.”

Those traditional sounds can be heard when he appears with his band, The Superlatives, appear at The Sage Gateshead on January 29, Box Office 0191-443-4661. Now married to the legendary Connie Smith, fans can catch up with both of them on The Marty Stuart Show (Rural TV).

On his memorabilia collections, Stuart says: “I think the most precious must be the piece of paper I have on which Hank Williams wrote the words to Your Cheatin’ Heart.”

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