Marty Stuart -Showing David Letterman How It's Done 

Here's the Letterman appearance that we were talking about. It's impossible for me to be in a bad mood while watching this video. Impossible! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Cx_l9kLxycw.html

Marty Stuart and Kenny Vaughn are SO great - they're unappreciated American National Music Treasures. Nuff sed.

Country Boy Rock & Roll, Kenny's guitar work on that one is superlative indeed.

Kenny Vaughn’s playing speaks for itself, always superlative. Besides Kenny’s great playing, he is one of the most humble, kindest individuals that you will ever meet.

Kenny Vaughn is an amazing guitar player and tremendous talent. I really enjoy watching him work with Marty Stuart. My favorite Marty Stuart song is “Porter Wagoner’s Grave”. The first time I heard it, it just left me in a pile on the floor. It’s tough for me to choose one favorite Marty Stuart song because I have really so many, but this one just tore my heart out. Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives are the best band in Country Music in my opinion. It’s a real shame that they are not played on country radio stations.

Kenny is one of the best guitarist I've ever seen. He's stuff is so tasteful.

Marty Stuart and The Fabulous Superlatives are the best band I’ve ever seen. They will tear off the roof of ANY joint!

Good stuff Otis, thanks for all the work you do. Peace from Texas ✌️

So glad i found this. I love Marty and the guys... i got to be a country session guitarist here in Argentina back in 2007 Yes here.. using B bender and G bender and his album Country Music from 2003 always keept me company on the road.. in good and bad gigs cause. Well . You know . Im into that wishfull thinking , im a fool for love and at that time always was too much month at the end of the money...

Kenny is such a cool dude and a truly spectacular musician. That performance was killer !!

I could go see this band every night and I’ll bet they could put a different show every night. National Treasure this band as is Marty’s Wife, Connie Smith. Well Done Otis..

I've said, for probably 15 to 20 years, that Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives are, in my opinion, the finest straight-up country music band in the world.

I'm glad to hear from Kenny. Once I discovered who he was about 3 years ago, I've been a fan ever since. "When The Sun Goes Down" is way up on my list of Marty Stuart songs.

I had met Marty Stuart at Merlefest in 2007, and among all the other exceptional musicians there he was by far the friendliest and most personable artist. He was happy to take the time to meet and talk with people, take photos, etc. it really made an impression on me. These guys are just doing what they do and having a good time on the way!

So enjoyed this interview! I'm amazed at how I've been playing listening to music for a lifetime and how at 65, I am still discovering musicians and bands that I never knew of before now. Probably, because I was too busy working, etc. But, in the last year I have been made aware of new to me musicians and music and I am such a Marty Stuart fan and love everyone in his Fabulous Superlatives band!

I love this man's Guitar tone and licks...off the chain

Kenny Friggin Vaughn... love that guy..what a pro

Kenny Vaughn is a monster guitar player. Playing harmony with Marty note for note. Shazam

I loved that story! I hope you got more on Marty and more from Kenny . :)

These guys are the real deal.

The first time I saw Marty Stuart he was playing mandolin with John Prine and Philip Donnelly was playing lead. I could not believe what a great talent Stuart was and how the camera loved him. There were only the three of them that night, I was also greatly impressed by Phillip Donnelly, he passed away in 2019. I am going to guess it was in maybe 1979 or so, of course Stuart had been performing professionally since he was about 13 or so but it was the first time I saw him. I worked a show as the electrician where he was there with Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence and George Jones, that would have been 94 or 95. Stuart came on stage and I kept watching him, he has that charisma. I cannot remember the first time I noticed Kenny Vaughan but as soon as he did one of the riffs I knew he was someone special. I sort of remember when it was but I can't remember who he was with, not that he pushed anyone out of the way it was just, wow that guy is some great guitarist.

Cool stories, Otis. Hearing a guitarist like Kenny talk shop is a privilege. He and Marty and the other two band members are indeed under-appreciated, but those who do know, know. I saw them in June ‘22 in Brown County, Indiana. Also, saw them open for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit in Cincinnati in late 2021. And I saw them backing Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman on the Byrds’ Sweetheart of the Rodeo 50th anniversary tour at the Ryman. I would go see them once a week if I could.

Best band musicianship-wise and best band showmanship-wise. They are simply the best band to see live. Amazing that Kenny Vaughn could refer to himself as “the lowly guitar player.” He’s a god!

It’s crazy after all these years. He’s been so good,and one of my favs all time. I watch him with my dad weekly on rfd. And the late night jams at the ryman. Know I know he likes the same stuff as me. We really are cousins!

I agree. I changed the speaker in my amp and since then all I need is my tuner and overdrive pedal. All my other pedals are sitting in a box.

I recently met Kenny on a trail in Colorado. Very humble, very human. He didn't take too much credit for himself, but he did tell me that I'd likely bump into Marty up ahead. I did. Guess they were making a music video in one of our state parks.

So glad to hear Mr. Vaughn give the credit that's due by hardly ever given to Don Reno as one of the best guitarists (10:17). Thanks for this video. Gonna have to go now to find that Letterman performance!

Love it! Marty was my guy back in high school and just keeps getting better. High On A Mountain Top easily my favorite. Marty is the ultimate purveyor of Epic Country music. "Road Hot" I know exactly what that means. 😂

Kenny is aces 👌. Right on Otis.

My band Hank Flamingo opened for Marty in Dauphin, Manitoba at a two day weekend festival. We got invited up to sit in with Marty and his band for the last song and played "Whole Lot a Shakin Goin On". They plugged me in to half of that Marty Twin 4 plex he was using at the time. It was forkin loud!!

I only came across this guy a few days ago and he has already changed the way I play guitar. I'm really glad I caught him while he's still going.

Howdy Otis I just discovered Kenny Vaughan knowing who Marty was of course. But my interest came from how he got that great tone from a silver face Princeton. They don't all sound that good. I love the little Princetons but then again Vaughan is so darn good just about anything is going to sound awesome. I love the old school guys and gear talk.

I first saw Kenny Vaughan play on RFD-TV's airings of the The Marty Stuart Show. I was blown away by "Cousin Kenny" and his musicianship. Fabulous Superlative is the right name! Thanks for the interview!

Otis,Its Always Cool ta Listen to Kenny,on your Show and Others as well,to Experience,like I was there,as I listen about the Cool Past that's Always Still,present in those stories.Take care,nah!Jcs

Just watched. Tall brother, jamming it hard. I know your back has to hurt, bending to sing with Marty. Worked Tucker band Guitars , at Rock the Smokies. Long ago, met your crew and Travis, folks!!

Love Kenny’s guitar playing

"2 little Fender amps our guitars and a tuner".....the simplicity and brilliance in 1 comment.

I Like the, they're not playin' through real amps" and I agree whole heartedly Real amps are tubes right through the signal train. I'm 70 but I didn't have a clue right from the beginning. Where was the Internet in 1966?

There's the public television show about country music. I don't believe it would have been any good at all without Marty Stuart . His repertoire of songs is earth shaking. He actually would reminisce about songs in that documentary and sing it out or play and be spot on. Wow. He is unbelievable and we are blessed to have his presence in music of all genres. His best song? Whatever Marty feels like playing at any given moment.

I saw Marty Stuart on Austin City Limits with his band and was blown away. Really, really good players and songs. Bought a few of his Albums after that. Toss up between King of Dixie and High on a Mountain Top as my favorites.

Cousin Kenny, monster guitar!

Never even listened to a Marty Stewart song (knowingly). But that was a great story. Letterman show had so many great musicians perform. Thanks for making this video.

I'd love to hear Kenny's thoughts about the tour with Chris Hillman and Roger McGuinn.

You know why Marty had to have that amp? ‘Cause Kenny went “ooooh”. Nuff said. ❤️

That performance is a classic. Somewhat unrelated, Way Out West is amazing, the entire album, and Kenny's tone on his Glaser Bender demo vid on the metalflake Tele...also wow.

One good thing about these days is before your video was over I opened another window and found the Letterman clip. Holy Shit, that was smokin'!

Kenny along with Dave Roe and Maxwell Schauf played on my first self-produced project in Nashville back in 2001 or so. He was a nice guy. We cut all the tracks in one day. Kenny used my Martin HD-28 for some rhythm tracks (and complimented me on it). And he did some quick solo work on one song that I still love to listen to. I always thought it would be a great Opry number….if I ever got invited. (I didn’t.) Really enjoyed this, Otis.

Round 1990 I was mixing monitors at a fair in S Florida, Kenny was with Sweethearts Of The Rodeo. His guitar cut out a few times he looked over and I ran out pushed in plugs in his pedal, sound came back! I ran back to my board, his guitar cut out again, I went out on stage, held that input cable into his pedal until the song ended and he removed it from chain. For this guy who had stage freight x100 it was a memorable moment for me. We were both young in our careers, so glad to see his done well, and I love his work with Marty.

I like you, Otis. I like Cousin Kenny. I like Marty and all the Superlatives. Watch them every Saturday night on RFD-TV! To answer your question...the Marty song I play most often is "High On A Mountain Top".

I've replayed that Letterman gig many times. They were so ON! It was so tight and self-assured to the last chord.

Hay Randy Rhoades got the Oz gig playing though a tiny fender tweed set to full Whack. Oh and no pedals lol

Marty has some great ones, but I gotta say, I still can't get enough of his "Way Out West" album - seriously, anything off of it (though in concert I LOVE when they cover Marty Robbins). Then again, how can you go wrong with Marty and the boys AND Mike Campbell...oh man to have been a fly on the wall for those sessions!

Thanks Otis I love Marty and the Superlatives Especially cousin Kenny! It's just too hard for me to pick favorite songs. Thanks again

First time I saw Kenny play was with Rodney Crowell. It was at the ‘Ace Of Clubs’ in Nashville. Rodney introduced him a ‘Buddy X’. Had to have been the early to mid 90s.

That was great. How can a "professional musician " make fun of those masters. That kinda pisses me off. But they got schooled. The Superlatives have the most musical firepower of any band in the world. They're so good.

Never forget the day Marty had Kenny launch into Pipeline at the Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival as their final encore after shouts from the audience requesting it. As usual, Kenny was awesome! Great show by Marty and the band.

How can I NOT say that this is my favorite Marty Stuart (AHFS) song? In fact, I think that this is now my favorite song in the world. Letterman had some cool musical guests and was obviously well acquainted with their virtuosity. I always appreciated that about his run.

I've had this Letterman appearance stashed in my favorites, for ages! I'm glad so many other folks were as blown away by this performance as I was!

I saw the Marty Party!in the day,with Tracy Lawrence,and the one and only double tough Chris Ledoux! I saw Chris three times,even towards the end,and he never disappointed,and Marty is simply a Legend.Tempted,is one of my favorites by my man Marty.

Great interview. I love Kenny and Marty and their band and the wonderful music they put out. Letterman gig couldn't have gone better. Thanks.

I'm not a guitar player, but I love hearing guitarists talk shop.

What's your favorite Marty Stuart song?

I made a playlist of Kenny Vaughan's appearances on this channel. Please feel free to spread it around. ru-vid.com/group/PLq77ejXzqZpnZMpkHMnGoHMF41taha_Xq

Don't know why she would be making fun of this guy and Marty Stuart, they can play circles around her

I don't think she was making fun.

Just watched the video. A four letter word for it.... OUCH !

Marty - and Steve Earle - are why I wanted to live in Nashville. I've loved him since Busy Bee Cafe. He only gets better. Treasures, indeed.

Yes Road Hotttt... and Cookin

I don't have a favorite song but I love " the pilgrim" album.

Otis, my favorite Marty Stuart song is any song off of The Pilgrim.

Thank you Mr. Otis sir for doing these! I look forward to each and every one. I first saw Marty and the Superlatives in Charlotte in I want to say ‘09. At that time they were sometimes doing full electric or full acoustic shows, I’d paid extra for the ‘gold circle’ seats- front and center in front of Marty, and was initially disappointed when I got to my seat and a mandolin and a few Martin’s in front of Harry’s kit (no Clarence). They got 3 tunes in and I realized Kenny didn’t need a telecaster and a Princeton and Marty didn’t need Clarence. What Kenny played on his Martin was every bit as rockin/jazzin/country’n as anything I’d ever seen or heard. Been blessed to see them multiple times since. Most recently with Kenny on his B-Paisley with Glaser bender and Marty playing Clarence. They are IMO simply the best band in America. I excitedly waited for Way Out West to drop in I think, March of 2017 and I literally listened to nothing else for the next 18 months. Please put up some more cousin Kenny interviews!!!

Fantastic. I'm a backline guy for most of my adult life (20 years at SIR in Miami and an bit in NY too), so it was really really cool for me to hear the chat about the amps! and I love the "where are the pedals?" part. So awesome. Also cool about the SIR LA amp Marty had to have. Big fan of Marty and Kenny!! And who knew Kenny was a Pig Pen era Deadhead? Wicked cool!!

I’d saw my foot off to play guitar like kenny

Cousin Kenny is truly amazing. I love his work and the Lucinda Williams stuff too. I’d give up my left foot to play like him. I’d be happier than hell to play like that. Great sound and he’s totally underrated.

Yes sir Princeton reverb blue light

i love everything Marty and the gang does,got to meet them in Bakersfield at Bucks Place they all signed my old guitar.

Just watched Letterman. Boys were hot!

Great amp, six strings, chops to play and a cowboy hat... now that's a formula for fun. Makes me want to toss my pedals, get a top vintage fender amp and spend a couple dozen lifetimes learning to play like Kenny. Thanks...

Thanks, Otis, another great video. Your channel originally attracted me because I would see some of my songwriting and performance favorites in the stills as I scrolled, but you've really turned me on to some with whom I wasn't familiar. You yourself being one. I knew who Kenny Vaughn was, but i really enjoy hearing his stories and exploring his catalog more in depth. Thanks, brother, I'm grateful.

I watch the Letterman performance every so often because it's perfection and pure quality. Harry Stinson rocks the drums and Paul Martin plays all of the right stuff.

Incredible musician . That clip on Letterman shows how COUNTRY should sound!

Love Kenny. One of the best musical storytellers on the site. Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives are so great, what talent. Howlin Wolf at 14! No wonder.

This is why they're my favorite country band working right now.

Thank goodness for Marty Stewart. He is a truly a musician’s musician. Ya gotta love his expertise and experience.

These stories are the best

Nice. Kenny is definitely one of my big guitar heroes. I got to meet him when he played in Winston Salem, NC a few years ago. We had a great conversation. Unpretentious indeed.

I have seen the Fabulous Superlatives live. The best show I ever saw, love these guys. They should be much bigger stars than they are. People don’t know what’s good, lackluster mediocre stuff is what many seem to go for today.

I saw Marty Stuart with Kenny Vaughan open up for Chris Stapleton in 2018. His backing band was superb. Great show! 🎵

Marty and Kenny are the most uplifting and inspiring players imaginable. Fortunately we don't have to.

"Tempted" is a great song, sounds a bit like Marshall Crenshaw.

Well Otis... never heard of Kenny or Marty until today and I'm 56 from the UK (so Bluegrass not so popular) but deeeyamn... that was some outstanding guitar playing from the top shelf. Love your music and thanks for introducing other great musicians and bands to folks across the world 😎😎👍👍

I really appreciate these videos, they are wonderful time capsule.

I believe Marty now owns Clarence Whites B-Bender Tele.

great footage ...thnxxxx

Time Waits for No One. Amazing that Kenny saw The Dead with Pigpen, and Jimi and Clapton live. His memoir will be amazing too.

Hearing Kenny talk about the people he saw live made me have a question that I had never considered before about Kenny,, but here it is,,, how damn old is Kenny?

Can’t get enough of this guy. That letterman appearance still gives me goosebumps. Total class, total fun, total showmen.

Really like Kenny's "V" album. Every track a gem.

I know this feeling. And Kenny is a reliable witness. Like him right off.

Marty Stuart is an amazing wealth of information about country music. He knows so many stories it is always a pleasure to listen to him share stories.