There’s not enough superlatives to describe Marty Stuart, who will never run out of singers.
Each member of Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives took turns at lead vocals during a 10-song set on Thursday at the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys. Their performance preceded Chris Stapleton.
“It’s good to be in the mountains tonight,” Stuart greeted the sellout crowd of more than 7,000. “Turn the hillbillies loose.”
The master of hillbilly rock wore his customary neck scarf and stand-up hairdo and played Clarence, his famous 1954 Fender Telecaster. His easygoing speaking delivery led the show and his singing voice inspired a jovial mood throughout the crowd.
“He could sing the telephone book and it would sound great,” a concertgoer exclaimed.
The Grand Ole Opry Hall of Fame member was happy to share the spotlight with His Fabulous Superlatives. Each member is a bandleader in his own right. Bassist Chris Scruggs (you might know of his grandfather) sang “Bull By the Horns,” guitarist “Cuzin” Kenny Vaughan sang “Country Music Got a Hold on Me” and drummer “Handsome” Harry Stinson sang the Woodie Guthrie standard “Pretty Boy Floyd.”
Even when they players didn’t sing, the music was superb. They performed a swell instrumental, “Torpedo.”
“Lake Tahoe is the surf capital of the world,” Stuart shouted.
An irreverent moment of a seriously great night of music.
Related story: Chris Stapleton thrills Tahoe with no props or country pop.
- Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
Harveys Outdoor Arena, Stateline, Nevada, July 27, 2018
1 – Lesson In Love
2 – Country Boy Rock & Roll
3 – The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’ (Travis Tritt cover)
4 – Torpedo
5 – Country Music Got a Hold On Me (with Cuzin Kenny Vaughan)
6 – Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash traditional)
7 – Bull by the Horns (Chris Scruggs)
8 – Orange Blossom Special
9 – Pretty Boy Floyd (Woodie Guthrie song sung by Handsome Harry Stinson)
10 – Time Don’t Wait
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