Country music icon, historian and artist Marty Stuart is in the process of signing with Universal South Records in a project development role that may include his own imprint, BillboardRadioMonitor.com has learned. Some of the first projects he is expected to develop will be his own works.

Stuart, a member of the Grand Ole Opry, was most recently signed to Columbia Records, where he did two tours of duty interrupted by a long stint at MCA Nashville in the ’90s.

Among the non-mainstream projects Stuart is developing are a themed record about the Sioux tribe and a gospel CD.

Stuart is managed by Marc Dottore, who recently joined the company to head its new management division, Universal South Artists.

By Phillis Stark