Country music icon Marty Stuart continues to pay tribute to traditional music this year as he begins taping The Marty Stuart Show with episodes airing every Saturday at 8 p.m. on RFD-TV, a satellite and cable channel.

Performers set to appear as the new year unfolds include John Rich, Dierks Bentley, Gretchen Wilson, The SteelDrivers, Mel Tillis, Buck Trent, The Oak Ridge Boys, Chris Scruggs and Chuck Mead, Del McCoury, Connie Smith and The Sundowners, Wanda Jackson, Duane Eddy, Kathy Mattea and the Quebe Sisters.

“I love this show,” said Stuart. “It’s everything that country music was designed to be and it is such a joy to be a part of. As I suspected, there is a world of people out there waiting on this kind of entertainment and the response has been off the charts.”

Stuart’s other ventures include his renowned private country music memorabilia collection entitled Sparkle and Twang: Marty Stuart’s American Odyssey on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, through March 1, his recently-released second photography book titled Country Music: The Masters, and his weekly XM Radio show, Marty Stuart’s American Odyssey that explores music unique to the United States.

The show features music by Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, as well as his wife Country Queen Connie Smith and banjo pickin’ Leroy Troy. Radio personality Eddie Stubbs serves as the show’s announcer and Stuart’s sidekick on every episode.

“I’ve fallen head over heels all over again with rhinestones, love songs, train songs, gospel songs, fancy pickin’ and the steel guitar,” Stuart said last year when the show debuted. “I’ve always believed God made Saturday nights for country music. This show is a natural for Saturday night.”

By Dan Tackett