No pre-planning. No filter.
Just telling it like it was, 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.
BEN VAUGHN
Parts Unknown, USA
LAURA POCHODYLO
Nashville, TN
Latest Episodes:
Episode 1: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gene Pitney, Duane Eddy
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.
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.
COMING FEB 5: 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.
What People Are Saying:
“A must-listen music podcast for both casual fans and knowledgeable obsessives.
In an illustrious career, Ben Vaughn has crossed paths with an amazing cast of rock & roll characters– from massive artists to the influential anti-heroes that shaped the sound of modern music.
Slide into the booth at the all-night diner and join Ben and Laura for amazing insider stories about the surprise guests they pull Straight From the Hat.”
— Greg Harris, President & CEO,
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame & Museum“Ben has lived 9 lives in this insane business of music. Somehow he continues to have a deep love for the music and weird characters who populate the industry. His stories are wild…and full of heart & soul.
I adore this podcast!”
— Adam Weiner,
Low Cut Connie“Ben Vaughn, always a colorful raconteur, has been stockpiling his amazing and humorous music biz war stories for decades, just waiting for the perfect medium to finally spill his beans.
The Straight From The Hat With Ben Vaughn podcast is simply too good, too entertaining, and too engaging for a music geek like me to keep under my hat."
— Jeff Feuerzeig, Director,
The Devil And Daniel Johnston
“OMG, I love this podcast.
Ben has worked with some of the coolest people in the biz and hearing the behind-the-scenes stories are both informative and mind blowing! It felt like I was hearing my record collection come to life. A fantastic listening experience!”
— Palmyra Delran, Musician, Radio host on
Little Steven’s Underground Garage, SiriusXMGet Updates:
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