Marty Stuart brings back live music to Hanford Fox for first time since pandemic started

Legendary country-bluegrass artist Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives will perform Saturday, April 16 at the Hanford Fox Theatre. 

The concert marks the first live-music act to perform at the downtown Hanford landmark since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"I can’t think of a better way to start it off again than to have Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives back on our stage," said Hanford Fox co-owner Dan Humason. "We are slowly getting back into the swing of things having barely survived the pandemic shutdown by selling popcorn to go."

The multi-instrumentalist best known for his mastery of the mandolin is including the San Joaquin Valley on his band’s most current tour in support of its 2021 release, "Songs I Sing In The Dark."

"Marty and his band are one of our favorites because you get a little bit of everything: country, rock, bluegrass, and even gospel," Humason said. 

Born Sept. 30, 1958, in Philadelphia, Mississippi, Stuart was covering country music with his band by the time he was 9. In the midst of pop’s “British Invasion,” he said he felt like the country stars of that era “needed a correspondent” in his town.

“I still feel like I'm a correspondent for Hank Sr., and Merle Haggard, and Johnny Cash and the culture of country music, because it's what I love.”

Stuart's love of the history of country music shined brightly recently on Ken Burns' acclaimed documentary "Country Music." 

"It’s obvious to me that Marty Stuart is not only a stellar musician but a walking historian and an ambassador to Nashville," Humanson said. 

Stuart began picking professionally at age 12, joining the Sullivan Family bluegrass band for a summer tour in 1972, and it wasn’t long before he began living out all of his country music dreams, piece by piece.

The first two records he ever owned, he said, were by Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash, and they later became the two artists who hired him for their bands. He saw country star Connie Smith in his hometown at age 11, and he told his mother he was going to marry her.

In 2021, Smith, Stuart’s wife of 24 years, tearfully inducted her husband into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

“My life was set,” he said. “It was just a matter of growing into it.”

Stuart’s celebrated journey — from a beyond-his-years talent to traditionalist star, fiercely independent artist and ambassador — was reflected in his tributes.

Hall of Fame CEO Kyle Young called Stuart “a flame-keeper, a spokesman and a chief,” and noted that he wasn’t just being inducted for his hit-making years, but the crucial work he’s done throughout the 21st century.

“Anybody that knows me knows that I love this building,” Stuart said after seeing his plaque. “I got to be a part of it coming up out of the ground, just a small part of it. But this is our living room. This is our spiritual home. This is our treasure chest. And this is where we belong. God has had his hand on this place.”

In addition to winning multiple Grammy awards, Stuart was inducted into the famous Grand Ole Opry in 1992, the highest of honors to be bestowed upon a country performer. Said Stuart: “They invited me to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry. If you are going to be a country musician, it’s an essential. It’s a milestone and a badge of honor.” 

How to attend 

Marty Stuart will perform at 8 p.m. Satuday, April 16 at the Hanford Fox. Tickets are  $200, $55, $45, $35 and are available at https://www.foxhanford.com/shows/202-marty-stuart-and-his-fabulous-superlatives