I was aware of Marty Stuart from his single Arlene on Columbia Records, but my first encounter with him was new year's eve 1986 in Atlanta, Georgia when he shared a show with Steve Earle. Tony Brown and I watched from the wings as Marty swaggered his way through the opening set. Tony, then vice-president of A&R at MCA Records in Nashville and on his way to becoming the top producer in town, whispered to me, 'I'm thinking of signing Marty, would you want to co-produce him with me?' Yes, of course I would. It's not that I was sold on what Marty was doing as much as how he was doing it. The guy had miles of charisma and presence like Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow, Lester Flatt, Porter Wagoner, Cash and so many others... all rolled up in one. Marty Stuart was a young, old pro. As we began pre-production and choosing songs for that first album, I got to know Marty and learned of his coming up in the business playing with Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash. Marty knew everybody and we shared a serious love affair with country music, it's history, tradition and artists from an earlier time. I very quickly came to have a deep regard and respect for Marty Stuart that continues to this day. As a musician, songwriter, historian, collector, photographer, author, television host and performer, Marty's a one-man army for the salvation of country music. 'd moved to Nashville with an eye to making records exactly like Hillbilly Rock and Tempted. Looking back nearly 25 years later I'm still very proud of them. Both albums reflect that tradition and history of country music. With this Bear Family vinyl re-issue they've gained a history of their own. I'm Blue I'm Lonesome, Paint the Town Tonight, Till I Found You, Tempted, Blue Train, Little Things, Half a Heart, I Want a Woman, Burn Me Down, Get Back to the Country
