Country music legend Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives — guitarist Kenny Vaughan, drummer Harry Stinson and bassist Paul Martin — will perform Friday, July 8, 2011 at 8 p.m. at the Strand Theatre, 345 Main St.

Stuart, a four-time Grammy winner, platinum recording artist and Grand Ole Opry star, started out singing gospel as a child; did a bluegrass stint with Lester Flatt in the '70s; played six years with Johnny Cash in the '80s; and became well known for his smash hillbilly rock hits of the '90s, which hit the charts regularly and largely defined his sound at the time. He has continued on in the country world with great success. His latest album was released this year and his song "Hummingbyrd" won a 2011 Grammy® Award for Best Country Instrumental.

Stuart, the leader of the extraordinary, versatile touring and recording band The Fabulous Superlatives, has shown a showman's zest for every conceivable flavor of country music during his long and varied career. His contributions to the country music genre have extended far beyond his legendary guitar playing and songwriting: he also is a country music memorabilia preservationist with a missionary's zeal for bringing the importance of the music and its themes home to long-time fans and newcomers alike.

In 2008, Stuart, who is also a photographer, published a book titled Country Music: The Masters, which features poignant photographs he has taken throughout his near four decades performing country music. In addition, he has become a TV star with a popular country music show on the RFD network, now in its 10th season, which is aimed at introducing country music to a new generation.

By Dagney Ernest