He spoke passionately about his admiration for John Wayne and his values, singing a fun Willie Nelson song in his honor, “Come on Back Jesus…and Pick Up John Wayne on the Way.” Like Cash, Stuart has become a pastor on a never-ending mission, spreading the Gospel of country music, and bringing voice to those whose voices have been marginalized or forgotten. Like his mentor Johnny Cash, he dresses all in black, and speaks from the heart for his love of America, the underdog, family and God. During his two and a half hour show, Stuart, Smith and his band entertained the crowd with his roots-based songbook of American country, rockabilly, surf, honky-tonk and Gospel music. Stuart, who has been in the country music business since 1972, when at 14 he joined the Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs tour, graciously met with fans as he tuned his instruments, just as he has for four decades, before the show behind the stage. As the sun went down on Saturday night May 23, 2015, in Winterset, Iowa, Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives, with special guest star, Opry legend Connie Smith (and Stuart’s wife), celebrated one of the Nashville’s heroes, John Wayne, with a private concert for over 700 fans of the Duke-and the country star-to benefit the John Wayne Birthplace Museum that had been dedicated just hours-and less than a mile away adjacent to Wayne’s family home.

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