Putnam County Fair, Unionville, MO on September 11, 2004


First and foremost, one word sums up the weather AND the performances given by Marty and his Fabulous Superlatives: HOT!

The first show blasted off shortly after 4 p.m. with "Too Much Month At the End of the Money," followed by "The Whiskey Ain't Workin'," and "This One's Gonna Hurt You." "Mirrors Don't Lie" was next, followed by "Homesick."

Marty then paid homage to the events of September 11th, and mentioned that the following day, September 12th, was the first-year anniversary of the death of his friend and mentor, Johnny Cash. Marty and the band did "Luther Played the Boogie Woogie" in tribute to Johnny and his bass player, Luther Perkins, featuring Marty's own bass player, Brian Glenn.

"Tempted" followed the tribute, then "Cousin" Kenny Vaughan was featured on "Country Music's Got a Hold on Me." "Hillbilly Rock" was next, then the first show was closed with (appropriately enough!) "Burn Me Down." It was certainly a scorcher of a day -- Marty and the band had absolutely no shade during that first show, so they cut it (relatively) short to just under an hour.

The 8 p.m. show was much more pleasant weather-wise (it was dark by then and there was also a slight breeze), and drew a much larger -- and enthusiastic -- crowd. Marty and the guys opened with "Back To the Country," followed by "Too Much Month At the End of the Money," "The Whiskey Ain't Workin'," and "Cry My Lonesome Heart."

Marty once again paid homage to the events of September 11th, followed by a different tribute to Johnny. "Dark Bird" was one that Marty had written himself and is something I hope he will record! "Rock Island Line" was next, followed up with "Tempted," "Burn Me Down," "Farmer's Blues," Kenny's "Country Music's Got a Hold on Me," "Ain't Gonna Make No Fool Out of Me," a Brian Glenn solo of "I'll Just Keep On Falling in Love," and "This Time," a Waylon Jennings classic.

Marty then picked up his mandolin and performed an instrumental -- is he like a fine wine or WHAT?! (He just keeps getting better with age!) "Handsome" Harry Stinson was featured next, on a slow, gospel-flavored tune called "Slow Train," followed by "Hillbilly Rock." Marty then invited the crowd closer to the stage for the evening's closer, "Draggin' the Line."

This was definitely a day I will not soon forget, and -- as always -- I am much anticipating the next "Marty Party"!

Review and photos by Jennifer Clark, Des Moines, IA


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