WHOC To Host 'Marty Stuart Hour'
This appeared in The Neshoba Democrat - August 14, 2013
Fans of Country Music Star Marty Stuart can tune into radio station WHOC later this month to hear highlights of his music from the beginning of his career until present.

"The Marty Stuart Radio Hour" will debut on the 1490AM station on Saturday, August 31 and will coincide with the airing of Stuart's RFD-TV show, taped earlier this summer in the historic Ellis Theater, later that same night.

The first 30-minute weekly WHOC episode will air at 7:30 a.m. That same day, The "Marty Stuart Show, taped at the Ellis, will air at 7 p.m. on RFD-TV.

Vines said his radio hour would also feature music by those associated with Stuart, including his wife, Country Music Legend Connie Smith, and members of Stuart's band, The Fabulous Superlatives.

While Stuart will not be a regular on the show, Vines said he might make an appearance when he's in town. "Marty is the best ambassador we've had for the town and we wanted to do something to spotlight him," Vines said.

WHOC holds a special place in Stuart's heart, Vines said, noting that he would call in and request songs when he was growing up in Philadelphia. "That's how we became friends," Vines said.

The idea for the radio show came after a conversation Vines had about ways to further promote Stuart in the Country Music industry. "He's not on the current charts," Vines said.

Each 30-minute show will have a theme, like Stuart's early years and his time with Lester Flatt, among others. "He has worked with a lot of people and produced a lot of music," Vines said. "We'll spotlight him and his work."

The live show will feature the talents of Vines and Doug Johnson, a 20-year veteran of WHOC.

Vines said he it's no coincidence that the first radio hour is on the same date that Stuart's RFD-TV show airs.
"We picked that date for the first show because Marty left here for Nashville on Labor Day weekend all those years ago," Vines said.

The show will start out with a few words from Vines followed by Marty and Connie's music. An update on the projects Marty is working on and more music will follow. The show will end with either a Marty or Connie gospel song, Vines said. "People enjoy his music and his fan base loves him," he said.

Vines said the radio show would not be taped for rebroadcast so the only time to catch it will be on Saturday mornings.

A sold-out crowd packed the Ellis Theater for the taping of Stuart's RFD-TV show, which was filled with music, laughter and a few special presentations. The show at the Ellis ended its fifth season with the two-hour performance.

The show included performances by Stuart and his band, The Fabulous Superlatives; his wife, Connie Smith; WSM-AM DJ, fiddle player and Grand Ole Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs as the master of ceremonies; and banjo virtuoso and humorist Leroy Troy.

The night also featured three presentations: two to Peggy Webb of the famed Peggy's restaurant and another to Stuart.
By Steven Thomas
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