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.
Episode 16: Frank Zappa, Sandy Denny, Legendary Stardust Cowboy, Rosco Gordon
Host Ben Vaughn interviews guests about Frank Zappa's doo wop, Sandy Denny's New Jersey visit, Legendary Stardust Cowboy's stolen guns, and Rosco Gordon's ska invention.
24 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 15: The Stooges, Danny & The Juniors, Rip Torn, Hasil Adkins
Host Ben Vaughn shares stories of musical inspiration, rock and roll history, and unexpected encounters with artists like Rip Torn and Hasil Adkins.
9 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 14: Jerry Lee Lewis, Gamble & Huff, Reggie Young, Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon
Host Ben Vaughn shares stories of Jerry Lee Lewis, Gamble & Huff, Reggie Young, and Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon during his travels.
25 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 13 - Ringo Starr, Dee Dee Sharp, Bob Lind, Sonny Bono
Host Ben Vaughn interviews Ringo Starr, Dee Dee Sharp, Bob Lind, and Sonny Bono about their unique musical journeys and unexpected studio encounters.
11 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 12: Los Straitjackets, Johnny Otis, Charlie Gracie, Marshall Crenshaw
Host Ben Vaughn interviews Los Straitjackets, Johnny Otis, Charlie Gracie, and Marshall Crenshaw, exploring musical inspirations and songwriting breakthroughs.
28 May 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 11: Willie Nelson, Alan Vega, Sam Phillips
Host Ben Vaughn interviews music legends Willie Nelson, Alan Vega, and Sam Phillips, sharing intimate stories and creative insights.
14 May 2026
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 →
30 Apr 2026
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 →
16 Apr 2026
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 →
2 Apr 2026
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 →
19 Mar 2026
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 →
5 Mar 2026
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 →
19 Feb 2026
Episode 4 - Lenny White, The Geator
Unlikely musical worlds collide in an elevator ride with Lenny White.
Meet Ben's mentor, the legendary Philadelphia radio DJ Jerry Blavat a.k.a. The Geator With The Heater. Dive into the wild world of Doo Wop, Soul, and Dance music that The Geator enthusiastically shared with his loyal audiences for generations.
5 Feb 2026
Episode 3 - Lalo Schifrin, Jonathan Richman, Evie Sands
A chance encounter with iconic composer Lalo Schifrin comes while Ben worries if he’ll ever see his car again.
Ben reflects on his friendship with Jonathan Richman, including the night it almost ended with a philosophical disagreement about public address systems.
A commanding left-handed guitarist takes control of a dimly lit bar and is revealed to be the legendary Evie Sands.
22 Jan 2026
Episode 2 - Attila, 3rd Rock From The Sun
Finding himself in the 1970s counterculture scene, Ben learns to trust his instincts when faced with heavy rock group Attila.
Ben unexpectedly finds himself thrown into the world of mainstream Hollywood success while working on his first TV show, 3rd Rock From The Sun.
Ben’s time in blues harmonica bootcamp leads to a moment in the superstardom sun with Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Ben meets up with Gene Pitney backstage at Carnegie Hall to talk about new technology.
The sound of Duane Eddy’s guitar reaches Camden, New Jersey and changes a life forever.
7 Jan 2026
Straight From The Hat With Ben Vaughn Trailer
Straight From The Hat With Ben Vaughn: first episodes arrive January 22, 2026.
Inside a recent episode
Episode 16: Frank Zappa, Sandy Denny, Legendary Stardust Cowboy, Rosco Gordon
Published 6 Aug 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] So let's see who this next name is. Ooh, I don't know where this is going to go. Sandy Denny. Sandy Denny. The great, great Sandy Denny. One of the best singing voices ever. All the time. And who knows where the time goes. That song, every time I hear her version of that, Really, I don't know where the time goes because I go into a vortex. I mean, it's just there's something about that tune and her voice. Well, I do have a Sandy Denner. I met her. Did you really? Yeah, I actually met her. She was booked to play a show in South Jersey at a college in 1974 on a bill with Bruce Springsteen. And I couldn't believe my good luck. […]
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