I Was Wrong... HE is ACTUALLY The BEST Celebrity Guitarist (sorry Conan)

[@MusicisWin]

Well, did I get it right this time? Is he the best? Check my last video on the 10 best celeb guitarists: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmSaXnSCfdmGg68si=Zhjl3VLYEOJnT9oZ

[@Typical.Anomaly]

Conan rocks and Jay Leno sucks. That's all I know.

[@ericmills9839]

Does Bernie Williams count as a celebrity? Famous baseball player, excellent guitarist.

[@gfunkk]

Jerry Reed bro. c'mon now.

[@ronhutcherson9845]

Thank you. I really appreciate the love and work you gave to share that beautiful music.

[@rogerdaly6326]

This song is from an album he released in 2010 so he played this song for over a decade. That helps the ability the sing & play , by now this song is second nature to him. He tours quite often , you should go see him. Has a lot of humorous songs that are entertaining.

[@positivelybobby]

I was Jeff’s tour photographer back 15 years ago - and he amazed me every evening. The guy is absolutely fantastic. I’m so happy you have recognized his talents. His writing is fantastic as well, and his shows are wonderful. Not to mention - he’s as kind and as genuine a man as I’ve ever known. Truly.

[@johnosborne3187]

His song writing ability shows why he is such a great actor. He is good at finding the thing at the core of an emotion and simply and perfectly expressing it. As a guitar player and Luthier, I must admit that I was also moved to tears:)

[@BobDorfman]

What has become one of my favorites is a song that his daughter-in-law sings on one of the Jeff & Ben Daniels Band albums - “Back When You Were in to Me”.

[@doyourownresearch7297]

as a baker, I agree.

[@johnosborne3187]

@@BobDorfman I looked it up. Wow! So beautiful. Thanks for sharing:)

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

What a laugh, that after all the time spent honing this and that, it comes down to being in touch with yourself. Letting yourself find the real stuff is half the battle, then there's the honest expression of it. All the best y'all, keep on truckin'.

[@leonard-paulkuiper9068]

I commented about Jeff Daniels on the previous video. I'm glad to see him get some love. He has described himself as a guitarist who does acting on the side.

[@bakontrackz]

I did it also

[@bakontrackz]

He is just a real musiscian, there is vídeos of him playin with his son at Normans rare guitars

[@ogelsmogel]

So did I.

[@melchiando]

Jeff bridges will play circles around him

[@ogelsmogel]

@@melchiando The Dude can play the guitar?

[@ey870]

Very cool - also Steve Martin on Banjo holy crap he can play too

[@daniele7621]

Was going to add this, Steve is legendary

[@OmniphonProductions]

With a Grammy to show for it. I would _love_ to hear those two play together!

[@adamprice3466]

Jeff Bridges too, he played a lot of those songs from Crazy Heart

[@stephaniewade2973]

​@@daniele7621Steve is actually playing the banjo on the track I Hate Love on Kelly Clarkson's latest album Chemistry

[@yeahjoshb9396]

Facts, he actually shreds

[@danieloleary4560]

Saw him live. An evening with Jeff Daniel's. It was a great show. Had know idea how talented he was.

[@nedcramdon1306]

Better than an evening with Jack Daniel's.

[@yourdaddy9622]

So you did in fact “know”? Or you had “no” idea…?

[@pihermoso11]

Conan's best guitar bit was an episode of Chicago Blues where he visited children in a school, he made up a song on the spot titled No Chocolate on a Monday, you need to watch that episode

[@placebo5466]

"it is when you live it!"

[@uniqdzign2]

Just found it on YT, great video! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@FlightMan96-rk7wt]

No chocolate on a Monday is a blues classic 😂

[@mrtanica]

“Whats up with softballs?”

[@stevenjohannesson316]

Jeff is an extremely talented individual and artist. It shows in everything he does. He has most of his songs up on his website including this one, which when I heard for the first time actually made me tear up.

[@autographedcat]

If you missed out on HBO's "The Newsroom", go and check out the scene in the series finale where Daniels, in character, leads a garage full of people at a friend's funeral in a jam of Tom T. Hall's "How I Got To Mephis." He's put out like five or six albums too, over the years. Really amazing guy, and both smart and humble. I admire the heck out of him.

[@Revelatus]

Loved that show

[@wadew3623]

Samuel L Jackson also learned how to play guitar for a movie role, and he's actually pretty good.

[@michaelolz]

“Black Cat Bone”. It was great!

[@BarrySwords]

Pretty sure it was called 'Black Snake Moan'

[@thermovag]

Black snake moan and it was an amazing performance by all the actors including Justin Timberlake another musician..

[@unclestubs8377]

He named his guitar "motherf....."

[@questfortruth665]

I also happened to see that video this week and was mind blown! Had to watch it a few times to get my fill! Not only is he a really good picker, but he has a nice voice, and I really liked his song! AND, I later found out that he's written over 450 songs!

[@DookieSh0es]

The pride of Michigan right there. Jeff is a legend!

[@jackjorgensen8825]

damn bro, hell of a songwriter/musician

[@tomi-jon8798]

"i dont finger pick" behind him sets a Murial Anderson harp guitar made for picking lol

[@Emceekaz57]

Jerry Reed played alongside Chet Atkins and held his own. Legendary player and actor. He should be on this list. Likely in the top spot.

[@wraith_1171]

Jerry was a musician first, 50 albums out…….heck of a guitar player!

[@fartonpico3387]

Yes. Reed is probably the king.

[@Hahnsoulo]

That's a different thing. Jerry Reed was a musician that also happened to be an actor, not the other way around. (His primary career was music)

[@ecrecords615]

lol Jerry reed is a musician. He is a world class guitarist

[@ReignDropsStudio]

Awesome song! He’s fantastic. I think Jerry Reed deserves this title though imo

[@steveyoho1076]

I saw Jeff Daniels perform live nearly 20 years ago, “An Evening with Jeff Daniels” and I was floored. I have admired him as an actor and fellow Michigander for years, but his ability to entertain us with nothing but a stool, microphone and guitar for well over an hour elevated him to a new level with me. If you ever have the opportunity to see him, do it, you will not be disappointed.

[@calvinh208]

Are we ignoring Steve Martin because he's mainly banjo and not guitar?

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

Umm, in a word, yes.

[@toddsmods.623]

Well ya when it's best celebrity banjo player I'm sure Steve Martin will get his flowers.

[@calvinh208]

I'm sure Steve regrets his choice in instrument after being left off such a prestigious list. Hindsight is 20/20...

[@ORagnar]

He might as well be a pro, but it is at five string banjo. o

[@Ottophil]

Yep

[@Bethos1247-Arne]

his performance got everything. Getting an full band out of one accousic guitar, his singing, the lyrics, his looks. His laid-back-still-serious attitude.

[@geetarboy33]

Oscar Issac is a pretty solid player as well. He played all the parts in Inside Llewlyn Davis and was in bands prior to becoming an actor.

[@CatFire-e7w]

30 years ago, I heard Jeff was getting up and joining guitar players at his hometown Irish pub. The sports pub I worked in was on the same player circuit back then. They were so tickled that he did that. We are quite proud of our Mr Daniel's .

[@fenderfox5080]

Jeff Daniel's makes me nostalgic and he's so humble, it warms my heart to see him come out of nowhere and humbly play the guitar the way he does and this song is so good 😊 cool to see you give Jeff a video, well deserved 👏 Tyler

[@ibji]

Two words. Charo. Malaguena. Sorry, you'll just have to make another video.

[@HollowFaith666]

What no love for Roy Clark?

[@ibji]

@@frankoniko8158 Segovia, but yeah, she's technically well taught.

[@Bleaksigilkeep]

Charo is a guitarist that acted, this is for actors that play guitar

[@pl33]

​@@HollowFaith666Roy Clark is a towering genius..just check out his three performances on th Odd Couple to see real talent...Jerry Reed is absolutely amazing as well...but both and even Charo were guitarists first..

[@MrPointy75]

@@Bleaksigilkeep Agreed, same with Roy Clark, a guitarist who happened to get on a variety show. I think Hendrix called Clark the greatest guitar player alive, high praise.

[@cliffcastle9808]

I"m glad to see that you picked up on this and your approach to your review is excellent. I was equally blown away when I saw this video last week. He makes it look easy which means that he put in A LOT of work into this. Great song, great vocal, great playing. What else can you say?

[@guyleffel5674]

Thanks for posting this wonderful video highlighting Jeff Daniel’s finger style proficiency.. I got a chance to speak with Jeff during the filming of “Escanaba in da Moonlight” while being in the crowd during the stadium scene segment, . He’s a true life’s hero as he’ll do whatever it takes to help others who want to succeed succeed (ex. Purple Rose Theatre highlighting local talent). He stops by to the famed Lumberjack Tavern in Big Bay from time to time as he has family members from there

[@alexshadowfax1119]

Ive always sucked at finger picking but I find I can play things with a pick that others have to finger pick to play. Using my fingers is intimidating and Im just not fast enough.

[@sjmaguirepdx]

Hahaha! I was the one who sent the link to that clip! The KZbin algorithm saw that I watched your previous video and that showed up in my feed a few minutes later. Spooky!

[@PK_Mega_Awesome]

Not sure how everyone in the comments has missed this but Jeff is using banjo picks on his thumb index and middle fingers scruggs style, that's why it sounds so clear and you can keep up without digging in and dulling the sound. genius

[@Robby102509]

You can find the song he performed on Spotify. The album came out in 2010. It is called Keep it Right Here.

[@TheDevnul]

If you ever look at The Newsroom, Jeff says several times during the show something like, “I’m a musician with an anchor man side hustle” I think it’s the last episode of the series, he plays how I got to Memphis. You can just KZbin that. It’s quite excellent. The way I learned Travis picking was lying on my bed, my eyes closed and just kept on playing C, Am, G, F over and over until I didn’t have to think about it. All of that just to learn Dust in the Wind. (Livgren does not really do a Travis patter but it’s close enough and no one but a die hard Kansas fan who plays guitar will know) Thumb/major, thumb, index, thumb , major, thumb, index.

[@yoshimitsushredhead]

Does anybody know what model of taylor that tyler is using here?

[@Bercho7]

3:20 you've been playing to much John Mayer songs 🤣

[@johndorian2670]

In the HBO show The Newsroom, Jeff Daniels' character is a news anchor who describes himself as a guitarist who is a newsman on the side, and I've always thought that was just something Daniels said on set near a writer that they put into the script because it sounds really cool.

[@Jach28]

I took your music program at the Maryland music hall online and i tune in as often as possible or when it seems to really catch my attention. Thanks for everything* when i can afford it, I'll buy your super system.

[@LD10000]

Thank you. I got to see Conan jamming with his stage band back when I worked at Warner Bros. I got to visit the Conan set/stage on the lot. He was on the set and I was behind a glass window like a sound room I was really taken back, they were jamming on "Bobby McGee" at Conan was shredding a lead with the band. Of course he had a whole band to jam with everyday for decades... Jeff Daniels... WHO KNEW? Wow! Thank you for sharing this.

[@anthonyw5261]

I cried like a little kid when I heard this song 🥹 because the lyrics were on point for me . Bless you that had the same reaction or feeling.

[@michaelsicowitz362]

That's the Donovan thumb method. In 67 Donovan showed Lennon and Paul, and George how to thumb alternating, 4th, 6th strings. Classic examples are on Beatles White LP. Lennon's Across the Universe, several others, all Donovan influenced. Don't forget Dear Prudence, not positive but Blackbird borrows from Donovan Thumb also. In a week you'll master it.

[@didamnesia3575]

Too many interruptions.

[@jamesrussell6663]

I’ve been listening to Jeff as a singer and guitarist for years

[@kitano0]

Jeff played guitar quite a bit on "the Newsroom" (excellent show). He does a great "That's How I Got to Memphis" and "Sunshine" on some episodes

[@vasocreta]

One thing I loved most about Jeff's little performance was that he just owned the not quite perfect moments, which just backs up he thought process that he expresses at the beginning about not needing to be good. And even though he is, objectively, good, not all of his execution was, and that was ok.

[@Mephilis78]

I think what really got her was that she was listening to the lyrics and he kept making actual eye contact with her, as if she was the subject of the song. It's kind of a way to personalize a performance. I know you look down on people who consider live performance to be something special, but.... I guess you only know if you know.

[@elenbrandt290]

Your humility is delightful

[@jason9176]

I grew up in the same town as Jeff and went to school with his son. While they were certainly the "rich celebrity" people in a small Michigan town, they are relatively down to earth. The one or two times I ended up at their house for a party (definitely the "popular kid" hangout spot, not my crowd), Jeff was upstairs playing a Martin hanging out with his wife and said hello to us on the way in. I know he used to tour around local Michigan venues with his elder son's band as well.

[@jackblack1675]

Jeff's playing is great on this. The composition, marvelous, even without the missing bridge; but his VOCALS and the guitar TOGETHER make this an eye-watering experience. It has the X-factor. Even if you don't like country music, you can easily FEEL this song in your heart and soul. He messes up some of the ending, but you can still see EXACTLY what he meant to play, and, in sense, it only humanizes this incredible performance. I love this performance of this wonderful song, and I've shared with many of the people I love. I'm sure glad I'm not the only one who was moved by this beautiful song. Be Goode, all you guitar players, and all you lovers of music. I'll be learning this one note for note, and my life will be better for it. Many thanks ...

[@kevinwatkins3856]

Having been playing fingerstyle for 50+ yrs, I have no problem playing this exactly. What I was so impressed with is the melody of the song with lyrics that could make an old guitarist like me, get tears in my eyes. It was a surprise to find out such a talented actor was this great a musician.

[@EbonyPope]

It isn't super complicated but very clean and fluid. He really seems to have quite some experience. I'm learned classical guitar and his thumb is really solid. Most guitarists have trouble with developing a really solid thumb technique but it's the bassline that keeps it together and creates the impression of being really in the pocket.

[@scottgarvy]

What about Roy Clark from Hee Haw show? No one is even close.

[@freshelfpie]

My one and only guitar teacher in another life taught me Travis picking for Dust in the Wind by Kansas. It's very slowed down Travis picking. But over time it got really fast and fluid where no thought is needed, you just worry about your left hand.

[@daniele7621]

Jeff joined his son, Ben, on a small tour a few years ago and it was amazing. I got to watch him front row in a fairly small venue and he brought us on stage to dance. He's fantastic

[@brownieboy69101]

He does a song called "Mile 416" that is my favorite song he does. It isn't flashy on the guitar, but it is a really great song everyone should check out.

[@13ratchet]

Just found out he is a musician , i have been listening to Jeff for the last week , he's great as i love delta blues , fantastic .

[@MrJasdog107]

Thanks for your reaction Jeff sure has sweet sound and style.

[@jfo3000]

Conan playing Aqualung, right out of the blue on an award show that he was hosting was so off-the-wall and amazing. Totally Conan.

[@NeonRadarMusic]

My mom watched Jeff act on Broadway and said he was (unsurprisingly) spectacular but this proves hes an all-round performing powerhouse. And he WROTE that song too. Mad respect.

[@powder0119]

Man, you’re awesome! From working for Fapple, the company who fires blind people with 3 kids to support for going above and beyond to assist customers, to making these great videos and creating your guitar courses who have helped so many… you’re an inspiration, Tyler! Keep rocking!

[@casualgamer370]

There’s a few scenes throughout the News Room where they sneak some guitar playing in for his character and he’s fantastic in those as well

[@mistermajimoto9374]

Gonna have to make this a series now. So many great guitarists out there to inspire us to just sit down and relax and maybe your second best skill can be the one to make you win the hearts of the people around you over again

[@nsc217]

Tyler’s so talented… He listens to this and is playing it on the spot

[@johnkochen7264]

I first saw/heard Jeff Daniels on Newsroom playing That’s How I Got To Memphis. That was all I needed. He is phenomenally good.

[@chrisvarva9847]

Anyone else hearing a little Guy Clark or Billy Joe Shaver influence here? Excellent performance.

[@kristopherk5454]

One verse in I thought of Guy Clark, both vocally and guitar.

[@johnengelmusic]

Very glad you were so reactive and did this piece about Jeff!! Thank you

[@robertfuller2196]

You weren't aware? I kind of thought it was known, but I live in my own little bubble. He tours the country playing. I've seen him a few times. Glad he's hit your radar 😊

[@kneegloc]

Short story on how I learned "Travis Picking": I got a hold of a thin Tablature book of Harry Chapin songs when I was 18 or so. "Corey's Coming" was in it. I looked at the notes, the beats, the strings, and saw where they all fell together, and apart, at the same time. I think I had it within an hour. Not bragging! (I'd been playing guitar for 2 years or so before that so, that may have helped.)

[@JayceAllanGuitar]

My wife and I saw him perform with his son's band, Ben Daniels, I think it was back in 2018 or so. They were amazing. Great folk rock-ish type sound. I'm not surprised at all that he's a good player. I think most people just associate him with acting. He's a very down to earth, humble guy. That's why he doesn't brag about being a great guitar player. I live in Michigan and he grew up in Chelsea Michigan and owns a small theatre there. Not sure if he lives in Michigan or not. We went to Central Michigan University for college which is well known for theatre in the state.

[@BobDorfman]

He was raised and still lives in Chelsea, MI. A small town of about 5,000.

[@caivsivlivs]

4:23 why is guitar headstock doubled like a green screen or something here?

[@Tony-gz1vm]

You Should check out Bernie Williams He was a NY Yankees star center fielder in the 90s and early 2000s he is also an amazing guitarist .

[@averagejoe8213]

I watched this video a few weeks ago and was taken aback as well! His song has a Guy Clark feel to the lyrics. I really liked it.

[@jeffreykipperman6894]

I saw this video of Jeff Daniels last week, and was also amazed not just of his guitar playing, but of his songwriting.

[@thesnowylinenland]

Jeff Daniels is a fantastic songwriter and storyteller! Just listen to his songs like Mile 416, The Michigan in Me, Are You As Excited (About Me As I Am), Dirty Harry Blues, he's a whole package! I've discovered him accidentally almost decade ago and was hooked immediately, am sure glad he's finally getting the recognition he deserves. BTW, This Old Guitar by John Denver is also a very lovely song about the instrument. :)

[@AZVIDS]

Guy has many talents. Saw him in Detroit years after he was really famous in a play called “Moonlight in Escanaba” it was hilarious!

[@papotaino]

I saw this when it was aired , loved the song and his playing.I’ve been fingerpicking since the late 60,s

[@44dean44]

There’s a reason why he has his own signature Martin. Check out Emoji of a Wave by John Mayer, is that travis picking too?

[@reubenrozeyt5716]

Never stop making these videos Tyler

[@MattyK-USA]

Glad to be of service, Tyler 🙂

[@dangroce82]

I saw this clip a few days ago and it is absolutely worth watching and listening to multiple times. My friend wrote a song about his son when his son was a toddler. His son is now at least 40+ and I still love hearing that song. I would tell you a few of the key lyrics, but he would be upset with me if he found out. He won’t let me record him playing it, because he’s afraid someone will steal the song and record it. I’d buy it.

[@kazanscki1]

look for a video of him playing in "The Newsroom."

[@phillipgriego4675]

Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham are both great guitarists too. I got to jam with them during the wrap party on Hell or High Water. Gil especially is an excellent guitarist.

[@Ironworthstriking]

"Turned my never evers into maybe i just might" is legitimately a world-class lyric.

[@Baldorgalvozi]

The best new song I’ve heard in a long time, this popped up on my channel and it brought a tear to my eye also. I knew Jeff could play but didn’t know he wrote his own songs. Kelly’s right it should be on every radio station.

[@bwyou812]

He has a few more videos on youtube. Plus a visit to Norm's Guitar with his son who also plays.

[@schit4brainz]

I can't really tell in the video but it looks like he does like I do and anchors his pinky to the body of the guitar which I saw you do at the end.

[@nohbodyhughno1121]

That's honestly some slick finger pickin when you talking and singing

[@pliesj]

Michael McKean? Christopher Guest? They played their own instruments for Spinal Tap.

[@paulapplewhite6135]

Great video Sir! (Possibly ignoring the Christopher-Guest-shaped elephant in the room 😂)

[@snoproblem]

Jeff's song is kinda like the Travis picking version of 'JukeBox Hero '. "You were there when I was four, you were there when I fell in love..." "Standing in the rain, with my head hung low..." Both songs describe what it feels like when someone's heart and spirit gets captured by THAT SOUND.

[@matthewdeheus3124]

He plays around Michigan and even has been known to show up at open mics. I've seen him live and he is every bit this great.

[@warthogA10]

My uncle could play like Jeff. He's the reason I became fascinated with guitar playing as a child. He would let me play his guitar (an old Martin from WW2 era, he got before he went off to Korea) my cousin has it now. He showed me the basics, and by the time I was 12 I was playing in "garage bands" and I've played basically since I was around 4 or 5. I still regret never asking my uncle how to play like this.. I was too busy wanting to be a rock star (which burned out of me by the time I was 17)

[@kenzenikari]

Ok the one thing others haven't notice is that. If you do look closely, he does have picks on his finger tips. And it does show him taking it off. I didn't know Jeff Daniels played guitar either and wrote songs. Its great to see this.

[@OEG85]

Used to see him around MI every now and then when I was playing ball. His son played and he’d pull up in big ole camper and watch from the outfield.

[@RobTackettCovers]

Pretty sure Dear Prudence from The Beatles was a "Travis Picking" thing...I think the story goes that they were in India, and Donavan was there with The Beatles and other folks as well, and Donavan worked with John, showing how "Travis Picking" was done, and then John took it from there...wrote Dear Prudence...so after typing all that up, I pulled up Dear Prudence, and it sounds like a variation of T Picking to me: it sounds like, with the thumb doing the bass notes, he's doing a 1 5 1 8 (octave up from low 1), then going to 1 7b 1 8, then 1 6 1 8, then down again on the second number of the sequence to a 6b (?)...and then moving around with chords in the upper register of the guitar...ok, so I just looked up to find someone doing an acoustic version of it, and it's done in drop D...that's how he pulls off getting a low D and the octave up D in the progression, and then doing the descending thing in the middle. Anyway, cool to see Jeff Daniels plays guitar...and is no slouch at it, for sure...and maybe even a better song writer than a guitar player, as demonstrated in this...pretty sure I would have never guessed it. Hey man, thanks for the video, and hope you and yours are doing great, and congratulations, Jeff, for winning nothing, hahahaha!

[@kdhansome]

Music is win do you you do live one on ones? I need help.

[@BobDorfman]

You need to listen to his albums. He has recorded several and they are excellent. Also listen to the live album with the Jeff and Ben Daniels Band (Ben is one of Jeff’s sons). Very good. Jeff has been playing guitar since near the beginning of his acting career - something to do when in NY, trying to break into acting.

[@papacapp6855]

I love Jeff Daniels and had no idea he played guitar. I have been playing almost 60 years myself and am very familiar with Travis picking (I am not great at it) but my Dad was. Merle Travis once told my dad "you are the best Travis picker I have ever heard" lol true story. Great video, thank you sir.

[@davidappleby7214]

I just saw this video the other day for the first time as well, he is a very accomplished songwriter and musician. So are you, man!

[@sonnyperry9447]

Jerry Reed is also an amazing picker. He's an older actor from the 50's-70's

[@AndyMorris-L666]

I would like to have heard Jeff play, then the breakdown .. but will now go check him out ..

[@blue92blue92]

I've known about Jeff Daniels for a long time. He would come on my fav morning radio show called "the bob and tom show" and he would play. When they said Jeff Daniels I had to look him up and I was like 'oh that guy' that is cool. Dude sounds good. It is nice to see him start to get recognized for all his talents.

[@graymine2949]

so funny - I was literally about to tag Music is Win on a clip of this (just saw this morning, then yours!)

[@stevengagnon5661]

Other thing I haven't seen you mention is the fact that he can talk doing his travis picking; I find I can sing, but not just randomly talk playing the guitar and was always impressed by those who can.

[@imaginaryfriend9655]

Ok so, the best Love letter to Guitar or just Music Overall is the Film "August Rush..." Starring Robin Williams and the child actor Freddie Highmore who, would go on to become "The Good Doctor" Also Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers The Music was Provided by Actress and Composer "Kaki King"

[@DarthCalculus]

Now Jeff Daniels needs to go on Conan's podcast and they can have a guitar battle