Marty Stuart has been chosen as the recipient of the Uncle Dave Macon Days' Heritage Award. Stuart joins an impressive list of noteworthy acts and singers who hold a strong commitment to the preservation of traditional style and old-time music.

Marty's biography quickly reveals that he has several interests: singer, songwriter, poet, theatrical composer, musician, photographer, collector, actor, producer, historian, executive, entertainer, Nashville's International Ambassador of Tourism, author, Bluegrass aficionado, commercial pitchman, TV host, even comic book hero.

Marty's music style cannot be pigeon-holed — the high spirited Mississippi native defies categorization. Even Marty himself can't pinpoint his "role" — and that's the way he likes it.

"I really don't know where I fit in the music business," he says. "I just love to work. There are so many things I enjoy doing . The bottom line for me is to make good music and be the best that I can. I don't worry about where my place is. Actually, for most of my life, I've not fit in, and that's fine by me."

As a young lad, Marty caught the attention of Carl Tipton of Murfreesboro who hosted a morning television show in Nashville. At 13, Marty joined Lester Flatt's band. When Lester died in 1979, Marty branched out playing a kind of Bluegrass fusion with fiddle player Vasser Clements and working with acoustic guitar virtuoso Doc Watson. He also began a six-year stint touring and recording with Johnny Cash.

In 1982, Marty produced his first solo album, Busy Bee Cafe, on the Sugar Hill label. In 1986 he made a major label debut.

A sought-after session player, Marty has studio and concert credits ranging from Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris to Neil Young and Bob Dylan. He has also played on sessions with Randy Travis, Mark O'Connor, the New Nashville Cats, Roy Rogers (vocals), Joy White and Travis Tritt. His songs have been recorded by Wynonna, George Strait, Emmylou Harris, Joy White and Travis Tritt. He wrote two songs that became award-winning duets with his friend Travis Tritt: "The Whiskey Ain't Workin" and "This One's Gonna Hurt You." The Country Music Association honored Marty and Travis with the vocal Event of the Year in 1992, and "Whiskey" won a Grammy in 1993.

One of his biggest moments came Nov. 28, 1992, when he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

1999 has proven to be one of the busiest years for Marty. In January, he finished recording his new album, The Pilgrim.

"I see three levels of this record," he says. "a journey through the sounds of country music's past, present and future. It's also a mirrored look into the last quarter of a century of my life. A pause in the midst of a three chord trip of dreams that's led me around the work and brought me face to face with some of the greatest singers, writers and musicians of our time. The Pilgrim is a literal journey based on a true story,"

The album was released in June.

Marty scored and produced the music for the upcoming Billy Bob Thornton movie, "Daddy and Them." Additionally he produced songs for the soundtrack album. One of the songs on the album, "Riding On A Dream," features performances by Dwight Yoakum, Sheryl Crow and Marty.

Marty also recently produced an album for Jerry and Tammy Sullivan, making this the third album which he has produced for them. The bluegrass Gospel album, Tomorrow, was featured in last month's issue of TGMN. Marty co-wrote several songs with Jerry.

He was recently honored by Martin Guitars with a limited edition signature series acoustic guitar. This year, Fender Guitar is honoring Marty by introducing a signature series Fender Telecaster.