NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Marty Stuart and Connie Smith gave a sweetheart gift to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, just in time for Valentine's Day.
The Grand Ole Opry stars, who are married, have donated Lester Flatt's 1950 Martin D-28 guitar. The instrument, which some have called "the Holy Grail of bluegrass guitars," was used on most of Flatt and Earl Scruggs' classic recordings and live performances.
Flatt & Scruggs are perhaps best known for their tunes "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and "The Ballad of Jed Clampett" from the 1960s TV show "The Beverly Hillbillies."
Flatt bought the guitar for $115 at a Charleston, W.Va., pawnshop in 1956.
In the 1970s he loaned it to Stuart, then a prodigy in his band.
Stuart fell in love with the guitar and often played it until Flatt retired and disbanded his group.
Stuart thought he'd never see it again, but after Flatt's death in 1979 he was able to buy it from Flatt's daughter, Brenda, and has had it ever since.
"It's possibly one of the greatest rhythm instruments ever made," said Stuart, an avid collector.
Stuart and Smith also donated some of their own stage costumes and instruments to the Hall of Fame on Wednesday, as well as items once belonging to Johnny Cash and Hank Williams.
- Country Music Hall of Fame:
http://www.countrymusichalloffame/site
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