Levon Helm Gave Me A Contact High -Kenny Vaughan

[@woodytfc]

These Kenny Vaughan stories are great.....he is such a cool dude

[@ThomasT-l8p]

And one helluva guitar player!

[@whatsnottohike]

I love how Kenny always finishes with a funny story or quote about the person in question. I'd love to sit at a bar with him for an evening.

[@kmajor44]

Agreed!! His giggly-snickering laugh is the icing on top of his stories for me.

[@zendixie]

There can be no doubt that Kenny would be a great hang.

[@billfog393]

Kenny is truly a dude among dudes.❤

[@twoshirtman7096]

Agreed. Kenny has the unique ability of using just a few and very direct words, to describe the essential thing about an artist. Other writers needs a whole book, to describe what Kenny says with a few words.

[@JacquesTreehorn]

Kenny is the best. Great story teller.

[@landlinesandpercolators8822]

That last Levon line is a classic. And he mentioned some diverse, all great, drummers. Love all these interviews.

[@zendixie]

I’ve probably told this before but back in the 80’s The Band played at a great venue in Charlotte NC. We went around back after the show and hung out with them. I’ve never been an interviewer but I must have asked Levon the right question. I asked what it was like to make The Right Stuff movie and he did about 30 minutes about it. A very personable cat. What an unforgettable night. I had a Polaroid camera with me so I took some shots and they autographed them.

[@marklawrence8518]

So what did Levon say about his time on The Right Stuff? I, for one, would love to know!

[@zendixie]

@@marklawrence8518 He got a look in his eye that told me he loved the chance to talk about it. Like I said he went on for quite a while about how much fun he had but we’re talking close to forty years ago. There’s no way I can recall everything he said. Rick Danko asked me about a bar he’d heard of south of the venue. It was well known but not in a good way. I told him he really didn’t want to go there and he asked why. I said it was a biker bar and full of hookers. He says “ Hell, I got a bike and I like hookers!” We all laughed pretty hard. I wish I could post the pictures.

[@garymccoy6564]

I asked Levon about his favorite of the movies he'd worked on. Without hesitation, he said The Dollmaker with Jane Fonda.

[@ericcrawford3453]

Anytime Kenny V. Is on its pure gold, thanks Otis. T.C.B. ⚡🤟

[@twoshirtman7096]

Big Thanks Otis for posting this. I really love everything about Kenny Vaughan, he's the King of story telling, always acting in the role of himself. No matter which artist Kenny is talking about, he's always breaking a new world record.

[@estevangriffin4826]

Kenny's got a great & distinct laugh..😅

[@ronaldsimmonds1002]

Ronnie Tutt… had a sound. Never hear him talked about much. But Elvis sure did like him. And so did I.

[@zendixie]

Jerry Garcia liked him too.

[@HootNightowl]

I agree. I mentioned Ronnie in the comments of another Otis video, awhile back. Can't remember which video. But, yeah, Ronnie Tutt is great.

[@johngolden4468]

Thanks Brother Otis for this. I wanted to especially thank you for the Dave Roe interviews. What a great guy and talk about living the dream. Hope all is well with you.

[@johncopeland3826]

I can't remember the name of the music critic who said that playing drums and singing lead on a song is like flying 2 jets at the same time ! Levon Helm did it with consummate ease and class ,every time . He always gave the impression that the enjoyment of performance was everything . As Robbie said ..'amongst all drummers ,they all had this tremendous respect for him !' They knew that this guy was the real item . Mr Levon Helm ....no one comes close in my opinion !

[@johncopeland3826]

​@@trevorbramich4849might have been Robert Christgau?

[@robbie5984]

More Kenny Vaughan gold. Thank you so much. 🥹🥹🥹

[@rivett310]

When Marty Stuart and the Superlatives toured Florida this year, my guitarist husband was so taken back by KV while seeing the band in Clearwater that before we were in for the night I booked a 2nd show in Jacksonville front row so “he” could watch Kenny’s work🌺❤️

[@richardfinlayson1524]

Right on, when he drums and sings its magic, the Band were just fabulous. Talented guys.

[@tfodthogtmfof7644]

I can just imagine the awesome and chill of Kenny Vaughn kicking back with Levon Helm. Otis your interviews with all these people, that should be recognized more, about their experiences is like a look through the back door into a secret club of musicians.

[@avanti6058]

I don't usually have band t-shirts or t-shirts with inscriptions on them but I do have a Levon t-shirt. What I can say is that where I live nobody knows him but a couple of times I've been told "hey I like your shirt!" so you know you have something in common with someone you don't know. A good way to meet interesting people.

[@joeyspinks]

Thanks Otis! Kenny is one of my heroes. I got to talk with him a few weeks ago at the CMHoF and, like him talking about his contact with Levon Helm, I had that feeling of, "This is Kenny Vaughan you are talking with!" He is such a wonderful soul.

[@jmylar6981]

I read levons book while at the hospital for my daughter’s birth. First song I played for her on the way home was tears of rage. ❤

[@jcmacmusic]

I grew up in Toronto in the 60s and 70s and the Hawks were a mainstay downtown on Young Street. What a great band, thanks Otis we love Kenny...

[@dogpaw775]

i'd tune in just to listen to Kenny Vaughan read his grocery list, that guy can tell an anecdote.

[@charliehadley6193]

Levon is the greatest

[@TwangThang57]

More Levon!

[@travissmith9451]

I second that motion!

[@jryan2313]

Kenny and Otis are great, Levon was as well.

[@drummingwithjeff]

Great story! Was lucky to attend a Midnight Ramble and watch Levon play up close. My brother and Ialso got to meet him before the show! Great guy!

[@sevenmileridgeband]

Cool. Always cool when these two cats sit and talk!!! love it. thanks for posting. when I was pretty young kid my "Uncle Jack" one of my mom's brothers, gave me The Band's Cahoots record for Christmas, maybe I was 12 or 13? I listened to it first with my mom, who I think wanted to check it out before I was able to play it whenever I wanted. It passed her scrutiny, and I became a fan of the Band, but kept it to myself pretty much, as the kids in my neighborhood were into harder rock, and so was I, but it stuck with me. My Uncle Jack was a pretty cool guy.

[@danford7918]

I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to Kenny years ago. He is a very kind person and knows so much about music.

[@armandogarza6181]

Another great post Otis. I really enjoy Kenny's take on things.

[@stevie6423]

I could listen to Kenny reciting the phone book. Such a relaxing demeanour

[@TheOldYellers]

One of my favorite drummers for sure.

[@rylieriley]

I always love hearing these stories from Kenny Vaughan.

[@terryallard1918]

Kenny is a great guy man. I dig all of your conversations with him. Been around for a good while and so talented. Always a great story from Kenny when you talk with him. Thanks Otis !!

[@keithwood574]

Soooo cool ,Otis and Kenny

[@garymccoy6564]

Great stuff. I have a similar Levon experience, recording with him at Levon's Barn at about the same time Kenny is describing. Levon was a fine country gent, very warm and welcoming. When not playing, he had a joint in one hand and a 6oz bottle of Coke in the other. ALWAYS. Recording with him and Garth was magical.

[@davenewton4862]

Kenny is my favorite interview guy...always super interesting and entertaining.

[@ish474]

1.8k views in an hour. The world wants Kenny Vaughan!!!

[@frothin]

Looking forward to the book, Kenny

[@Raughwe]

Nobody embodied “thud” like Levon. He had some old-school country backbeat. It was very revolutionary, too. Levon is just as technical as any drummer, but he puts it “in a way”. Low key, but pure storm. Perfect rolls. His snare on “Drove Ole Dixie Down” is miraculous. And, of course, he’s singing, too. He comes off as subtle, but it’s a Cajun sound that will break your speakers!

[@earring1]

Great times as always with Kenny! Thanks, Otis. He's right, that Levon book is awesome.

[@otisgibbs]

Ways to support this channel. www.patreon.com/otisgibbs kzbin.info/door/YX2MTovE0vYjD8touqRH7Qjoin Tip jar for anyone who wants to help support this channel. paypal.me/otisgibbs?locale.x=... www.venmo.com/OtisGibbs Paypal: @otisgibbs Venmo: @OtisGibbs

[@jimmanire3646]

Great episode! Al Jackson Jr. is another drummer who had his own identifiable sound.

[@darmun1134]

Love Kenny's stories! Thanks Otis

[@RyanHayes-sk6ie]

I wish Kenny would write a book

[@Thurston86]

Kenny Vaughan Returns! 🤘👀👽👽👽

[@artemisXsidecross]

Thank you for the interviews and new 'transcript feature. ☮

[@kyleboehner535]

Always the best

[@jryan2313]

You guys have some great stories!

[@SeeCSeesCC]

Kenny❤❤ see you in Napa❤❤

[@charliehadley6193]

Thanks Otis! These interviews are so great. Have you ever heard of Jim Halsey? He’s been around since the early 50s. Still manages the oak ridge boys I believe. He would be a great interview. He discovered Wanda Jackson and Hank Thompson.

[@MrBluoct]

“…. he had a sound…. “ Amen

[@fivehead6675]

He definitely had a sound.

[@nevereverville]

Kenny is the absolute coolest!

[@janetrobinson8925]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@Rushscored4]

Great genuine guy , just like you Otis.

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

I grew up in Louisiana in the 70s/80s, and the Levon Helm song "Hurricane" has been a favourite since i was 4 or 5 years old. We drove over Lake Ponchartrain every Saturday to go visit my grandma, and i was already quite familiar with hurricanes as such, so the lyrics felt like they'd been written for me or about my life... that way things can feel like they're "magically about you" when you're a kid, y'know? :) I've thought about doing a cover of it, just to see how it feels under my hands. Maybe I'll get a round tuit sometime.

[@julesotis13]

Laaaaavon....lol...one of your bets title ever...love kenny vaughan.....i wanna meet that dude....great show

[@rickypierce1028]

Kenny tells the best stories. I have a good Kenny story you need to hear.

[@guitarguru4492]

Hope you do a video on Dave Roe soon!

[@ronaldsimmonds1002]

Make rock ‘n’ roll great again✝️🇺🇸👍🏻

[@melodymakermark]

Kenny has that speaking ability to put you in a “fly on the wall” position, plus he can mimic people. I think I must’ve watched the Jerry Lee Lewis video a million times by now. “Son, I needtah bary ya fiddle”. 🤣

[@ussexeter4601]

Levon referring to “The Last Waltz”… I never really thought it was a good idea to have a going out of business concert. 😂

[@sambassil]

Lol

[@h-minus5537]

The records that you are keeping will go on without you Otis, thank you

[@VintageLivin33]

Levon Helm at Floyd Fest changed my life!

[@blackrainbowfiresword177]

Man, I wanna be Kenny Vaughn when I grow up 😅

[@kevinkelly9956]

Kenny your Levon is right on !! LOL

[@rddavies]

That transformation that Kenny talks about you see over and over. Think maybe Johnny Winter when he couldn't even stand up but as soon as he starts playing something comes over him. Or Mississippi John Hurt. Or so many others.

[@williamparrish673]

Hey Kenny, did you ever see the New Starlight Ramblers in Denver. Say 77-79. They were a swell bunce.

[@rutledgeleland2538]

Talking great drummers who compliments the work Jeff Sipe / Playing with Darrel Scot and its sounding GReat !

[@castanzes]

Great stories as always! I'd be interested in hearing Kenny's opinion on the Levon vs Robbie controversy...

[@jimmygarlon750]

One cool dude with the coolest name.

[@TheVeryPantsIWasReturning]

I think he's talking about an album called Seaworthy from 2001. I cant find it anywhere. I'm dying to hear it. Any help out there?

[@travissmith9451]

Levon had a propensity for smoking pot in public. He not only thought there was nothing wrong with smoking pot, he thought there would be no consequences. He was playing in Fayetteville, Arkansas once and he and the promoter were walking down the street where the venue was located and Levon lights a joint. The promoter tells Levon that couldn't do that out there that he could be arrested. Levon replied, " no, it's okay. It's like I'm invisible, nobody's going to care." That would've been especially true in Fayetteville ( The Hawks old stomping ground) where the same promoter said, " Levon made people sparkle just by being in the same room as him."

[@unclekrud]

RS just published their top 250 guitarists and Kenny Vaughn is not on the list. wtf? But Marty made the cut which is cool. That jacket though. Where can I get one? Who else didn't make the list? Roy Clark.

[@Ilovemusic793]

Anyone know what album this is?

[@Bill-cv1xu]

👍✊️

[@julesotis13]

how much for that Otis inthe mirooooooor! i love that btw.....

[@petersheely7246]

👌👌😎

[@ish474]

The problem with drummers is those guys didn't have a lot of influences to draw from they were the foundation of rock/country drummer. Now any drummer coming up has decades of influences that its hard to hide. I imagine that shaping the modern sounds of rock and country with jazz or folk influences left more room to stamp out their own sound.

[@protoplasmic-v9m]

I think you're right...but I would say that it's not that they didn't have influences but the direction they had to go necessitated a new style and approach and they created that.

[@ish474]

@@protoplasmic-v9m absolutely, I would imagine they would have been the Jazz blues big band and country guys that came before them but I am not that educated on their particular influences.

[@homebeforedaylight1925]

Stan Lynch had a sound

[@jrw8341]

John Densmore had a sound; it was based on having no tempo but sure he had a sound.

[@SrFelouniusMonk]

Willy D -- hope you find yourself here.