Marty and Connie's letters to Country Music Magazine honoring their 25th Anniversary

"Congratulations on 25 years. Consider this note an IOU. As promised, I will reassume my former job as a field correspondent for Country Music Magazine later this month. You have my hillbilly handshake as a guarantee that I'll have a story for you for your next issue.

Meanwhile, you're still pretty as the paint on a new tractor, welcome as a new field of corn, all the while reminding me that it was, in fact none other than, Roger Miller who observed, 'Did you ever notice that a chicken can gain 40 pounds and never show it in the face.' All this leads me to understand how much I love you.

Here's to many more years."

Connie Smith:

"Dear Russ and Helen,

Thanks for providing country music such a wonderful way to express its heart for the past 25 years. Congratulations!"