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Straight From The Hat With Ben Vaughn: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Straight From The Hat
He’s had a career filled with twists and turns as a performer, songwriter, composer for film and TV, and record producer. For Ben Vaughn, the best part of the journey has been the colorful characters he’s encountered along the way. His friend Laura Pochodylo, who works for Sun Records in Nashville, wrote the names of those characters down and placed them in a hat. Each episode, she’ll select several names at random and let Ben relive the stories—no pre-planning, no filter—just telling it like it was, straight from the hat.
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- 5 days ago45 min
Episode 12: Los Straitjackets, Johnny Otis, Charlie Gracie, Marshall Crenshaw
Loitering backstage at the Grand Ole Opry leads to Ben working with America’s favorite musical masked men, Los Straitjackets. Ben accompanies Johnny Otis to the Capitol Records vault and discovers the secret sauce behind “Willie And The Hand Jive.” Philly music legend Charlie Gracie inspires a young teenage dishwasher to reach for the brass ring of rock and roll. Daydreaming while landscaping inspires Ben’s breakthrough hit as a songwriter with Marshall Crenshaw.
- 2 weeks ago42 min
Episode 11: Willie Nelson, Alan Vega, Sam Phillips
Ben joins Willie Nelson on Willie’s tour bus, and discovers a mysterious briefcase with a surprise inside. A creative force and a true artist’s artist, Ben remembers his friend and collaborator Alan Vega and the years they spent creating music together. Sometimes even the man who invented rock and roll still needs to do everyday chores, which is when Ben encountered Sam Phillips. For photos, videos, and more: Visit the Episode 11 Webpage →
- May 14, 202637 min
Episode 10: Winona Ryder, The Cramps, Rambler 65
Winona Ryder mourns the loss of a counterculture icon at Ben’s airplane hangar studio. Learn the backstory of Rambler 65, the album Ben recorded entirely in his car— a document of a man and his dream. Ben revisits his punk roots and collaboration with The Cramps. For photos, videos, and more: Visit the Episode 10 Webpage →
- Apr 30, 202648 min
Episode 9: That '70s Show, Pig Robbins, Allen Ginsberg, Charlie Feathers
That 70s Show enlists Ben, his guitar, and his cowbell to build a musical time machine and provide the soundtrack to a well-loved sitcom. Country boy Pig Robbins gives his Nashville nod of approval to Ben’s work as a producer. In pursuit of knowledge, Ben attends an all-night rap session with Allen Ginsberg, who won’t be the last Beat Generation icon he comes across in his journey. Down in Memphis, Ben splits time between the studio and the Waffle House with rockabilly innovator Charlie Feathers. For photos, a playlist, and more: Visit the Episode 9 Webpage →
- Apr 16, 202636 min
Episode 8 - The Jordanaires, Rod McKuen, Laura Nyro
Ben recalls the explosive experience of working with legendary country vocal group The Jordanaires. Take a deep breath and listen to the warm: Ben fondly remembers poet and musician Rod McKuen. Ben is in the right place at the right time in an encounter with Laura Nyro. Touring in the 1980s can be a grind until you find yourself witnessing the second most famous incident that ever occurred at Kent State. For photos, a playlist, and more: Visit the Episode 8 Webpage →
- Apr 2, 202640 min
Episode 7 - Norma Tanega, Roy Head, Arthur Alexander
Learn about Norma Tanega and the story behind one of the oddest hit records of the 1960s. Down in New Orleans, Ben meets up with rockabilly wild man Roy Head. Ben tells the poignant tale of his collaboration with the inimitable Arthur Alexander. For photos, an interview with Norma, and more: Visit the Episode 7 Webpage →
- Mar 19, 202639 min
Episode 6 - Roky Erickson, Ruthann Friedman, Alex Chilton
Ben and friends pay a visit to Roky Erickson and assist with an important mission. Meet Ruthann Friedman, author of one of the biggest pop hits of the 1960s, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Ben remembers the colorful Alex Chilton, one of his close friends and frequent collaborators. For photos, a playlist, and more: Visit the Episode 6 Webpage →
- Mar 5, 202644 min
Episode 5 - Ween, Nancy Sinatra, The Berlin Wall
Ben saves country music by bringing Ween to Nashville. Hollywood dreams come true when Ben’s work as a film composer leads to producing Nancy Sinatra. Drafted as a goodwill ambassador, Ben takes American rock and roll behind the Iron Curtain during the fall of The Berlin Wall. For photos, a playlist, and more: Visit the Episode 5 Webpage →
About Straight From The Hat With Ben Vaughn
He’s had a career filled with twists and turns as a performer, songwriter, composer for film and TV, and record producer. For Ben Vaughn, the best part of the journey has been the colorful characters he’s encountered along the way. His friend Laura Pochodylo, who works for Sun Records in Nashville, wrote the names of those characters down and placed them in a hat. Each episode, she’ll select several names at random and let Ben relive the stories—no pre-planning, no filter—just telling it like it was, straight from the hat.
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