Although the Mason County Fair is still a few weeks away, plans are well underway for this year’s entertainment.

Country singer Marty Stuart will be the 2010 Mason County Fair’s headline performer. Brian Billings, fair board entertainment committee chairman, described Stuart as a “great performer.”

“He is a great artist of traditional country music,” Billings said.

Stuart broke into the music business when he played the mandolin in Lester Flatt’s band. After Flatt’s death in 1979, Stuart played with fiddler, Vassar Clements, and guitarist, Doc Waterson. He later began a six-year stint as guitarist with the late Johnny Cash. In 1982, Stuart landed his first solo album, Busy Bee Caf, on the independent Sugar Hill label. Eventually he struck a deal with Columbia Records as well as his first Top 20 hit in 1985 with the single, “Arlene.” In 1986, his self-titled album, Marty Stuart, followed.

In 1989, Stuart moved to MCA and eventually broke into the Top 10 in 1990 with a song and album entitled Hillbilly Rock, which according to his bio, described “not only Stuart himself but a new direction for country music.” His next album, Tempted, produced four hits, including the title song, “Little Things,” “Till I Found You,” and “Burn Me Down.” Stuart later traveled with country-star, Travis Tritt, and the two recorded the duets “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’” and the award-winning “This One’s Gonna Hurt You (For a Long, Long Time.)”

His career continued when he joined the Grand Ole Opry cast in 1992. Stuart’s other accomplishments include hosting TNN’s Marty Party series. Stuart also is a collector of country-related artifacts, and some of his collection is on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Stuart will take the fairgrounds main stage at 9 p.m. Saturday, August 14.

By Hope Roush