Kerry Alan Marx is an American guitarist and

studio musician A session musician (also known as studio musician or backing musician) is a musician hired to perform in a recording session or a live performance. The term sideman is also used in the case of live performances, such as accompanying a record ...

who has served as Music Director of the

Grand Ole Opry The ''Grand Ole Opry'' is a regular live country music, country-music Radio broadcasting, radio broadcast originating from Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, on WSM (AM), WSM, held between two and five nights per week, depending on the ...

since 2018. He is best known for his work with that organization, where he has been staff guitarist since 2000. He has been described as being among "Nashville's most in-demand musicians", and has played with many notable musicians including

Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter. Most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. ...

Taylor Swift Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. Known for her autobiographical songwriting, artistic versatility, and Cultural impact of Taylor Swift, cultural impact, Swift is one of the Best selling artists, w ...

John Legend John Roger Stephens (born December 28, 1978), known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He began his musical career working behind the scenes for other artists, playing piano on Lauryn Hill's " Every ...

James Taylor James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A six-time Grammy Award winner, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Taylor achieved his breakthrough in 1970 with the single "Fi ...

, and

Steven Tyler Steven Victor Tallarico (born March 26, 1948), known professionally as Steven Tyler, is an American singer and songwriter. Tyler is best known as the lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the keyboards, h ...

. He was guitarist for the CD "Songs From The Neighborhood," which received a Grammy award, the album '' Many Moods of Moses'' which received a Grammy nomination, and for the 2 time multi-platinum self-titled album by musical group Blackhawk. Marx was also a member of

The Johnny Cash Show ''The Johnny Cash Show'' is an American television music variety show that was hosted by Johnny Cash. The Screen Gems 58-episode series ran from June 7, 1969, to March 31, 1971, on American Broadcasting Company, ABC; it was taped at the Ryman A ...

band, and toured extensively with

Don McLean Donald McLean III (born October 2, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Known as the "American Troubadour" or "King of the Trail", he is best known for his 1971 hit "American Pie (song), American Pie", an eight-and-a-half-minut ...

. In June 2023, Marx was inducted into the South Carolina Entertainment & Music Hall of Fame.

Biography

Born in

Aiken, South Carolina Aiken is the most populous city in, and the county seat of, Aiken County, South Carolina, United States. According to 2020 census, the population was 32,025, making it the 15th-most populous city in South Carolina, and one of the two largest ci ...

, Marx studied music at the

University of South Carolina The University of South Carolina (USC, SC, or Carolina) is a Public university, public research university in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1801 as South Carolina College, It is the flagship of the University of South Car ...

; a 1971 article noted that he was a "stand-in bass guitarist" for a band called Wax Bean, the winning band in an Aiken Battle of the Bands. He then went on to concentrate in jazz guitar while attending North Texas State University in Denton, TX. He moved to Nashville in 1981 and has played a variety of jazz, pop, rock, and country music in the Nashville recording scene. Marx "broke into the demo scene gradually, in between road trips".Dan Daley, ''Nashville's Unwritten Rules-Inside The Business of Country Music'' (The Overlook Press, 1998)
p. 268-70
. Marx related the frustrations of working as a session musician during that time, noting that session producers often did not convey their thoughts about whether the session had gone well. On one song recorded by both

Mark Chesnutt Mark Nelson Chesnutt (born September 6, 1963) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Between 1990 and 1999, he had his greatest chart success recording for Universal Music Group Nashville's MCA and Decca branches, with a total of ei ...

and Chad Mullins, Marx "came up with a guitar line that the publisher said he wasn't crazy about", but that Marx then heard on the records, "played by a steel instead of a guitar"—an experience that Marx said "reassures me about my song sense and session sense". Marx toured with artists such as Ray Price (1979–1981),

Jerry Reed Jerry Reed Hubbard (March 20, 1937 – September 1, 2008), known professionally as Jerry Reed, was an American country singer, guitarist, composer, songwriter and actor who appeared in more than a dozen films. His signature songs included " Gui ...

(1981–1983), Razzy Bailey (1983–1984),

Ronnie Milsap Ronnie Lee Milsap (born Ronald Lee Millsaps; January 16, 1943) is an American country music singer and pianist. He was one of country music's most popular and influential performers of the 1970s and 1980s. Nearly completely blind from birth, h ...

(1984–1987),

(1989–1992),

Toby Keith Toby Keith Covel (July 8, 1961 – February 5, 2024) was an American country music singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and businessman. Keith released his chart-topping debut single, "Should've Been a Cowboy", in 1993. During the 1990s ...

and

Shania Twain Eilleen Regina "Shania" Twain ( ; born August 28, 1965) is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She has sold over 100 million records, making her one of the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists of all time and the best-sel ...

(1993),

(2001–2023),

Lee Ann Womack Lee Ann Womack (; born August 19, 1966) is an American singer and songwriter. She has charted 23 times on the American ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs charts; her highest peaking single there is her crossover signature song, " I Hope You Dance" ...

(2004),

Porter Wagoner Porter Wayne Wagoner (August 12, 1927 – October 28, 2007) was an American country music singer known for his flashy Nudie and Manuel suits and blond pompadour. In 1967, he introduced singer Dolly Parton on his television show, ''The Por ...

(2006),

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(2006–2007),

Lynda Carter Lynda Jean Carter (born July 24, 1951) is an American actress, singer, and beauty pageant contestant, best known for her portrayal of Wonder Woman in the television series ''Wonder Woman'', aired on ABC and later on CBS from 1975 to 1979. Befo ...

(2008–2022),

Olivia Newton-John Dame Olivia Newton-John (26 September 1948 – 8 August 2022) was a British and Australian singer and actress. With over 100 million records sold, Newton-John was one of the List of best-selling music artists#100 million to 119 million record ...

(2012–2018),

Johnny Mathis John Royce Mathis (born September 30, 1935) is an American singer. Starting his 69-year career with singles of standard (music), standard music, Mathis is one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century and became highly popular as ...

(2016-2024). A 1986 review of a Ronnie Milsap

benefit concert A benefit concert or charity concert is a type of musical benefit performance (e.g., concert, show, or gala) featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate h ...

Durham, North Carolina Durham ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the county seat of Durham County, North Carolina, Durham County. Small portions of the city limits extend into Orange County, North Carolina, Orange County and Wake County, North Carol ...

noted that despite the country tones of the show, "other aspects of the performance more closely resembled a rock concert, such as Kerry Marx's soaring lead guitar solo". He was noted for his contribution to Cash's song, "I'm an Easy Rider" from the 1991 album, '' The Mystery of Life'', described as "a road song featuring Kerry Marx's hard-edged and doubled-up baritone guitar". In 2000, he was lead guitarist in TNN's ''Prime Time Country'' band. A 2001 review of the ''Grand Ole Opry'' house band noted that "pianist Tim Atwood and guitarist Kerry Marx play with rare taste, feel, and soul". Marx has performed and composed for major networks, most notably for the Lionel Richie Special (2012),

Hannah Montana ''Hannah Montana'' is an American teen sitcom created by Michael Poryes, Rich Correll, and Barry O'Brien that aired on Disney Channel for four seasons between March2006 and January2011. The series centers on Miley Stewart (played by Miley Cy ...

American Music Awards The American Music Awards (AMAs) is an annual American music awards show produced by Dick Clark Productions since 1974. Nominees are selected on commercial performance such as sales and airplay. Winners are determined by a poll of the public and ...

(2005–2017),

Billboard Music Awards The ''Billboard'' Music Awards are honors given out annually by '' Billboard'', a publication covering the music business and a music popularity chart. The ''Billboard'' Music Awards show has been held annually since 1990, with the exception of ...

(20012–2022),

Academy of Country Music Awards The Academy of Country Music Awards, also known as the ACM Awards, were first held in 1966, honoring the industry's accomplishments during the previous year. It was the first country music awards program held by a major organization. The academy ...

(2003–2022), CMA Christmas (2012–2019), Country Music Association (CMA) Awards (2011-2021, 1992 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the 1985 Grammy Awards. Working with Lynda Carter, Marx also performed original music for the 2015 video game, ''

Fallout 4 ''Fallout 4'' is a 2015 action role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is the fourth main game in the ''Fallout'' series and was released worldwide on November 10, 2015, for Microsoft Windo ...

''. In 2020, he performed on a Christmas project for sisters Kandy Isley and Kim Johnson. In February 2021, Marx was one of four members of the Opry house band brought into Daywind Studios in

Hendersonville, Tennessee Hendersonville is the most populous city in Sumner County, Tennessee, on Old Hickory Lake. As of the 2020 census the city's population was 61,753. Hendersonville is the fourth-most populous city in the Nashville metropolitan area after Nas ...

, as an electric guitarist on the Darin & Brooke Aldridge song, "Grand Ole Circle". In March 2023, Marx was inducted into the South Carolina Entertainment & Music Hall of Fame for his music career, and in May 2023, Marx toured with

in Australia. In November 2024, Marx played with Josh Rawlings while sailing the Raja Ampat Archipelago in Indonesia. According to Joe Glaser, these performances included several improvisational moments that "changed music in ways that will not be understood for millennia".

Discography

* 1990, '' The Mystery of Life'', Johnny Cash, acoustic guitar, electric guitar * 1993, '' Bob Dylan – The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration'', guitar * 1995, '' Standing On The Edge'', Johnny Berry, electric guitar * 1997, ''Christmas Time'', Eddy Arnold, electric guitar * 1997, '' Many Moods of Moses'',

Beenie Man Moses Anthony Davis OD (born 22 August 1973), professionally known as Beenie Man, is a Jamaican dancehall deejay. His awards include DJ of the Year Award eight years in a row. His twelfth studio album '' Art and Life'' received a Grammy Award ...

, guitar * 1997, '' Butterfly Kisses'', Jeff Carson, guitar * 2000, ''

Greatest Hits A greatest hits album or best-of album is a type of compilation album that collects popular and commercially successful songs by a particular artist or band. While greatest hits albums are typically supported by the artist, they can also be creat ...

'', Blackhawk, electric guitar * 2002, '' American IV: The Man Comes Around'', Johnny Cash, acoustic guitar * 2003, ''O Mickey, Where Art Thou'', Disney, acoustic guitar * 2003, ''Comfort of Her Wings'', Charley Pride, main personnel, electric guitar * 2007, ''The Great Lost Performance'', Johnny Cash, main personnel, guitar * 2008, ''How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites from the Grand Ole Opry'', acoustic guitar, main personnel * 2008, ''Best of BJ Thomas'', BJ Thomas, acoustic guitar, electric guitar * 2009, '' Then Sings My Soul'', Ronnie Milsap, acoustic guitar * 2011, ''Choices'', Charley Pride, electric guitar * 2013, '' Sending You A Little Christmas'', Johnny Mathis (with Natalie Cole, Susan Boyle, Jim Brickman), electric guitar, acoustic guitar

Television

Guitarist and composer

Live TV credits

Film soundtracks

* ''

We Were Soldiers ''We Were Soldiers'' is a 2002 American war film written and directed by Randall Wallace and starring Mel Gibson. Based on the book '' We Were Soldiers Once… and Young'' (1992) by Lieutenant General (Ret.) Hal Moore and reporter Joseph L. ...

'' –

Mel Gibson Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson (born January 3, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker. The recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Mel Gibson, multiple accolades, he is known for directing historical films as well for his act ...

(w/

Dave Matthews David John Matthews (born January 9, 1967) is an American musician and the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band (DMB). Matthews was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and moved frequently between South Africa, ...

) * '' The Apostle'' –

Robert Duvall Robert Selden Duvall (; born January 5, 1931) is an American actor. With a career spanning seven decades, he is regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time. He has received an Academy Awards, Academy Award, a British Academy Film Awards ...

(w/ Wynonna & Gary Chapman) * '' Red Rocks West'' –

Nicolas Cage Nicolas Kim Coppola (born January 7, 1964), known professionally as Nicolas Cage, is an American actor and film producer. He is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Nicolas Cage, various accolades, including an Academy A ...

(w/

)

Jingles and commercial products

References

External links

Grand Ole Opry page for Kerry Marx

Kerry Marx Interview – Music Director, Grand Ole Opry
''Everyone Loves Guitar'' #292 (August 7, 2018) * {{DEFAULTSORT:Marx, Kerry Musicians from Nashville, Tennessee Living people Grand Ole Opry members Year of birth missing (living people) American country guitarists The Great Eighties Eight members