On This Day in 1997, Marty Stuart’s Childhood Dream Came True When Connie Smith Said “I Do”

When it comes to country music power couples and their love stories, many fans point to Johnny and June, Tim and Faith, or Garth and Trisha. While all of those stories are beautiful, no doubt, they pale in comparison to the story behind Marty Stuart and Connie Smith’s marriage. They tied the knot on this day (July 8) in 1997 and have been going strong for 27 years.

Like any good story, Stuart and Smith’s love story started with a dream. Growing up, Smith was Stuart’s mother’s favorite country singer. The 11-year-old boy was enchanted by the singer’s beauty as well as the power of her voice. Though she was 17 years older than him and had reached fame before his career began, the “Hillbilly Rock” singer knew he’d one day marry her.

Connie Smith and Marty Stuart Meet for the First Time

No sparks flew when the eventual power couple met for the first time. Connie Smith came to play a concert in Marty Stuart’s hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi. Before the show, Stuart asked his mother to buy him a yellow shirt so Smith would notice him.

After the concert, Stuart and his sister met Smith and her band, took photos, and got autographs. Of course, the twenty-something-year-old singer didn’t have romantic feelings for the middle schooler with a massive crush. However, that didn’t take the wind from Stuart’s sales.

A Comeback Album Sparks the Fire

By the time the ’90s came around, Marty Stuart had toured with some of the biggest names in the genre including Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash. More than that, he was a successful solo artist. Top 10 hits like “Hillbilly Rock,” “Little Things,” “Tempted,” and “Burn Me Down” put him on the map.

As a result, when Connie Smith decided to end her long hiatus with her 1998 self-titled album, she tapped Stuart to help her with the project. The pair co-wrote most of the songs on the album and Stuart co-produced the project.

Connie Smith would be the country legend’s return to the Billboard charts and her first album of original songs in nearly two decades. However, it was much more than a career milestone.

Things Heat Up for Connie Smith and Marty Stuart

Connie Smith and Marty Stuart had musical chemistry and it shows on her comeback album. However, while working together, they found that their chemistry ran much deeper than that. As a result, the couple said “I do” a little more than a year before the record hit shelves in October 1998.

Their relationship is still going strong 27 years later. They’re also still working together. Smith released her most recent album titled Love, Prison, Wisdom, and Heartaches in April. Stuart produced the album and his band, The Fabulous Superlatives backed Smith on the record.

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