Marty's 'Rested, Tan, Ready To Rock'

It's nice to be back on the air," Stuart says, about the radio play the single is getting just weeks after its release. "I hadn't been on the air in a couple of years. Hadn't made a record. I feel like it's a 'rested and tanned' album--he's rested, he's tanned, he's back, ready to rock."

MCA president Tony Brown and studio whiz Justin Niebank co-produced the album, which includes nine of 11 songs written by Stuart.

Tritt and Stuart will hit the road together this summer as the "Double Trouble Tour." The name comes from a duet on Tritt's album. By the time they reach Starwood Amphitheatre September 27, the show should be well-oiled and kink-free.

"It's an issue that never would die," says Stuart of the decision to reunite with his buddy from Georgia. Stuart and Tritt scored hits with The Whiskey Ain't Workin' and This One's Gonna Hurt You (For A Long, Long Time).

"Everywhere I'd go for the last couple or three years, it was 'When are you and Travis getting back together?' He heard the same thing. The answer always was, 'When we get some more music to go with it.' "

Stuart also is slated to produce a new record with his friend, Grand Ole Opry star Connie Smith, beginning this week. "I think Connie is one of the consummate singers in this town. I have every record she ever made."

Smith's '60s-era hits include Once a Day, Ain't Had No Lovin' and Cincinnati, Ohio. At Minnie Pearl's request, Smith sang at the comedienne's recent funeral with Stuart accompanying her.

The Nashville Network plans three more Marty Party specials this year, he says, and in the fall the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will open a new exhibit, The Treasures of Hank Williams, featuring personal items that belonged to Hank Williams Sr., now owned by Stuart. The singer recently purchased a 350-item collection, most belonging to Williams' late sister, Irene Williams Smith.

Proceeds from Tuesday's dinner go to the TSU Foundation which funds honors scholarships at the university. Stuart has special place in his heart for TSU, he says, having worked recently with the school's famous marching band in a video promoting Nashville.

Tickets for the event are $125 per person.

"They've made an incredible contribution to our community," Stuart says of the TSU band, "and I love the college. I thought the event was right."

By Jay Orr