No matter how many millions of albums they may have sold in this first millennium, country stars are no different than you or I when it comes to celebrating the holidays. Home is where the heart is, and there is no better place to be than with the ones you love most.

Christmas came early for beloved country singer and picker Marty Stuart. An invitation to sing at the White House's annual Christmas tree lighting festivities on December 8 in Washington, D.C., was a career landmark for Stuart, as it was his first presidential performance. Stuart was thrilled at the opportunity to sing Bill Monroe's standard, "Christmas Time's a Comin'," penned by Tex Logan.

Stuart marks that performance as sure to be one of his fondest Christmas memories because, "I played at the White House and met the President!" Family is a big part of the Stuart Christmas celebration. Marty says, "We all stop long enough to enjoy each other's company."

By Fran Galloway