Straight From The Hat With Ben Vaughn

Season One Finale Episode!

A teenage Ben provides doo wop guidance to Frank Zappa.

Inspired by The Stooges, Ben refuses to take "no" for an answer at a record store.

Visit Ferriday, Louisiana with Ben to honor the town's native son, the iconic Jerry Lee Lewis.

Come along with Ben on his truck driving route where he makes routine deliveries to Philly legends Gamble & Huff.

Ben misses a chance to go fishing with legendary guitarist Reggie Young.

Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon teaches a lounge band to play real rock and roll.

Ringo Starr mistakes Ben for someone else in the recording studio.

Always pick up the phone, because you never know when Dee Dee Sharp will be on the other end.

What do “Elusive Butterfly” and Bat Boy have in common? One man: Bob Lind.

Finally, Ben and Laura discuss their shared obsession with America’s greatest musical genius, Sonny Bono.

For photos and more: Visit the Episode 13 Webpage →

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.

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 →

Winona Ryder mourns the loss of a counterculture icon at Ben’s airplane hangar studio.

For photos, videos, and more: Visit the Episode 10 Webpage →

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.

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.

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 →