In 1985, Curtis Allen produced up-and-coming country music star Marty Stuart’s first top-ten single, “Arlene.” On Oct. 10, Allen, now a Jacksonville Beach resident, reunited with Stuart backstage after his sold-out performance at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. Stuart is featured prominently in Ken Burns’ epic documentary
Country Music, currently streaming on PBS Television. And he and Curtis have remained friends through the years.
The last time the two saw each other was ten years ago, when they had lunch in Nashville. Allen said when he reunited with Stuart backstage, “I just had a feeling of intense brotherly love.” When Allen was Sturt’s record producer, “He was transitioning from being Johnny Cash’s guitar player to being a solo artist,” Allen said.
Shortly after that Allen changed careers and went into advertising. But he and Stuart kept in touch, and Stuart’s performance was just what Allen expected. “It included famous songs and some you’d never heard before,” he said. “The crowd was uproariously loud and enthusiastic.”
