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Between his run as a solo artist to his collaborations with Lester Flatt, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash to his signature puff of gray speckled hair, Marty Stuart is one of the most recognized and revered country artists of the past quarter century. While he's traveled mostly in mainstream circles, Christianity has always been a vital component to his life, His recent Souls' Chapel CD includes several Bible belt standards and original hymns cut in country, bluegrass or Southern gospel styles. While making that album, Stuart was actually arrested for drinking and driving, which he now sees as a "wake-up call" from God—and Stuart's been on the straight-and-narrow ever since. We caught up with Stuart to talk about that incident, his new album, his start-up record label, his music memorabilia collection, and much more.

Country legend Marty Stuart (second from right) revisits his gospel roots with the help of his Fabulous Superlatives.

What inspired you to craft Souls' Chapel?

Marty Stuart It's something I've been wanting to do for 15 years. Like so many other performers, the first place I ever sang was church. I was raised there and it was my natural habitat throughout the week. My first job was in a Pentecostal bluegrass band. When I got a record deal, the natural thing in my mind was to do a gospel record, but mainstream country had changed drastically. They wanted me to cut radio hits and nothing else, so I had to write gospel music for others.

But when I was creatively pardoned [by starting his own label], I was able to do exactly what I wanted. I was at a point in my career where I was wondering what to do creatively. I always depend on God to send music through me, so I simply asked him, "What do you got for me?"

Who were your primary gospel music influences?

Stuart Mainly The Staple Singers and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. I ran into the Staples by way of The Last Waltz film; they did a song with The Band called "The Weight." I also got into their music from Chicago throughout the '40s and '50s when they seemed like ghosts singing in a cotton field. I never got to meet Rosetta and I've only seen two pieces of footage on her, but they're both flawless.

What was it like working with Mavis Staples in the studio for "Move Along Train?"

Stuart Mavis is like one of the bedrock sounds in my soul. Her voice is so powerful and as a presence she's so powerful. It's like having mother earth in the studio.

What has the new record meant to fans who don't typically listen to Christian music?

Stuart That record really found its mark with most people outside the church that don't like having the finger pointed at them—the hipsters, the young kids, the rock and rollers. I think it's a great testimony to the record. It's great to preach to the choir, but when the message and words go to places where it wouldn't have otherwise been heard, that's even better. My favorite review was written by an atheist who wrote, "I am an atheist, but I can't quit listening to this record!"

How has the church responded?

Stuart The church hasn't been ringing so much. I went to several churches when I was researching, from a little black church in Mississippi to cathedrals in New York and France, where I prayed about it. I created from within the church and my local church was very supportive, so I'm ready to go in whenever those doors open.

Country music went huge in the '90s with so much commercialization. What did you make of that?

Stuart It makes me sad that not just country music, but in all styles it's become so homogenized. I've always believed that you don't have to force roots and traditions just to get to where you're headed, but that the future is so much richer when you carry traditions with you. When I first started traveling, you could go in a store with a dirt floor and every town had character. Now our nation has become homogenized and we have all the same stores everywhere. I believe in taking character along, and it serves me well.

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