Making the Leap From Pop to Country

Dann Huff explains how he transitioned from being a first call session guitarist (for Pop and Rock) in Los Angeles to relocating to Nashville and reinventing himself as a Country session guitarist for artist like Martina McBride. This video is one part of our upcoming "The Guitarist Behind..." interview with Dann Huff - please subscribe and turn on notifications so you know when the full interview releases!
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CREDITS
Host/Producer: Mason Marangella
Guest: Dann Huff
Videographer: Travis Flynn
Video Editing: Mason Mejia
Co-Production/Design: Mason Mejia
Audio Editing: Hunter Harrison
#dannhuff #martinamcbride #sessionguitarist

[@ShawnTubbs]

Guitar playing, producing, composing and just being a good dude is not a struggle for Dann. He's brilliant!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

I know another great Nashville guitarist named Shawn Tubbs!

[@TomStrahle]

100% He's fine looking too! Haha.

[@aldonova71]

I have heard that everywhere.

[@My1957Stratocaster]

He helped destroy Nashville. When Grunge came in to Los Angeles, Huff could not find a job. What a shame, too. Between Huff and his buddy (who married Shania Twain) and crap like Big and Rich, Nashville took a big crap. Rap Country and click tracks. Thanks Dann. You suck.

[@chrislestermusic]

And…singing!

[@bryanmcdermott4204]

Mason is such a well-prepared interviewer. Great job getting this info from Dann.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks! I've been studying Geraldo Rivera ;)

[@Popsarocker1]

This has to be one of the coolest interviews I’ve seen in a long time!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks!

[@justsayin3784]

Not sure how, but the Glory of Love interview ended up on my feed. Holy cow…I could listen to Dann talk and pick all day long.

[@page29]

Mason's look off camera @8:50 is the whole ballgame right there. Pure joy and enthusiasm for the music.

[@ourlordsauron]

"Yeah man, this is really happening" kind of a look. I would have the same look!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes, that's exactly it! I'm looking over at my bud Benjamin Forehand in disbelief@@ourlordsauron

[@guitarandotherthings6090]

This guy is so good it’s unreal. Love his solos on “Place in this world” still trynna figure it out.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

One of the BEST to ever do it!

[@guitarandotherthings6090]

@@VertexEffectsInc He was the only one to do the solo? Or do you mean best to do solos?

[@marcelodesouza729]

By Michael w Smith?

[@guitarandotherthings6090]

@@marcelodesouza729 Yes that song

[@justsayin3784]

Best solo ever.

[@michaelmcgannon5588]

I still listen to that solo. Nothing like it! Such beautiful playing! And then.....Barefoot Jerry too! Big Love Dann!

[@JimmyD718]

Dann is fantastic! I could watch and hear him play all day 😀

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Me too, I'm still in a trance!

[@brianrobinson1259]

Same! I have all of the Giant albums as well as almost all session and country albums he’s been involved with! One of my all time favorites!

[@jeradatherton]

Total legend.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes!

[@andywoodmusic]

Dann. 👑

[@VertexEffectsInc]

The mann!

[@goswo]

What an true Gentleman. Wow… and musicality to highest level. Great interview Jason!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thank you 🙏 ~Mason

[@Wadey1960CS]

Dan...Brace yourself and proceeds to NAIL it!! Thanks again Mason. Another wonderful look into Dan Huff's legacy as a Player and musician.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Right!?

[@SeanPierceJohnson]

Give me all the Huff!!! Don’t care how long it is. Gimme hours and hours of Huff!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

You'll have it soon!

[@cemsarioglu5947]

Dan is a legend in modern guitar world. He has super human skills and incredible phrasing. So fun to watch him having a good time here. Thank you for sharing such good content.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Couldn't agree more!

[@ismaelserpa]

Rapaz... É um timbre melhor que o outro. Simplesmente fantástica a variedade de sons bonitos, em cada situação.

[@Marco007guitar]

Full session please 🥹🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Should be out by the end of the week!

[@southpaw335]

These interviews are SO GOOD. Take me back to the 80’s man, every song had killer parts somewhere in it, didn’t matter what genre.

[@toneydavis9802]

Anyone who lived on reading album covers and sleeves back in the day knew who Dann was and how great he is. More importantly you never saw or heard if him falling in to some crazy bad stuff. Always a great example. Blessed to share this planet with him.

[@FloridaManRacer]

Brent Mason and Dann Huff's tones are some of the most influential session tones I've ever experienced as someone who plays. Their tones are exactly what I want to be able to play with as someone who's just a home studio amateur that messes around. Those tones from Brent and Dann defined my childhood. They have layers of depth to them no one else has really equaled.

[@jeremylewis2171]

Great interview. Dann is such a nice guy who is grounded and a legend as well.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Dann is the Mann!!!

[@mikerattee56]

i am in earthly heaven watching you two have fun. Dann is the bomb!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe so you get notified when we release the full 2 hour interview!

[@mrchromaticable]

Dann seems like such a great guy. love this series of interviews.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Be sure to subscribe so you can join us for the full interview!

[@robertfoster1339]

One of my all time favorite guitarists

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Mine too!

[@BenjaminWong]

Nice to see Dann's love of guitar still there, fusing 80's rock and country 🤘😍🤘

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes!!!

[@Dodzee.44]

Fantastic guitar Fantastic guitarist🎸🙏

[@TomStrahle]

Anther great video Mason. You basically ask all the questions I would be too nervous to ask and later go, dang I should've asked x, y or z.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Hahaha, that can't be true!

[@geraldhinson]

This was a perfect first coffee and danish video this am. Brilliant.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Nice! Thanks for watching! Be sure to stay for the full 2 hour interview that will be dropping here in the next week! Subscribe so you get notified!

[@newtechgs7471]

Love that Dann mentions all his influences

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Be sure to subscribe so you get notified when we drop the full 2-hour interview in the next few days!

[@stevepelham9010]

What an good sounding Tele. Great fun! Broken Wing that Strat sound that is what I want from my guitars if I will get half the way with the one that I am tinkering with then I will jump of joy.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes, made me want to order one from Tom Anderson!

[@brookchivell]

I can’t wait to see this whole interview in its entirety. These little teasers kill me lol

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Should be out by the end of the week!

[@newtechgs7471]

Awesome set of interviews ❤

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thank you!

[@alexanderinore2136]

Esto es oro puro, muchas gracias por compartir esto!!

[@toploadtele]

I was turned on to Barefoot Jerry when I first moved to Nashville in 1975... fantastic stuff!

[@Bart-5150]

Dann can play many styles. Checkout his work with John Anderson, especially “Country to I Die” record, Blackhawk, Clay Walkers first album. Great playing.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes!!!

[@davidmerlin3344]

I would love to hang out like that with Dan. I became such a fan of his when that Giant CD hit record stores. He is such a great player but if you have never heard his vocals, go listen to that first Giant CD!!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Dann is a gem!

[@johnlambert8375]

The broken wing rythym is the greatest section I’ve ever heard.

[@robb4340]

What A Great Interview!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to stay for the full 2 hour interview that will be dropping here in the next week! Subscribe so you get notified!

[@robb4340]

@@VertexEffectsInc Great, Lookng Forward For The 2 Hour Interview. Awesome Channel By The Way, Subscribed.

[@sessionsolos]

Great interview, Mason. 🤘👍

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thank you sir! Thank you for your interview as well! I'm hoping that we can encourage Dann to continue to do more interviews and get more of his stories out there. I'm so glad to see that he's recently been more open to this type of content.

[@johanrautenbach]

Man that Evolution album of Martina shook my world. It was on repeat the whole time just for Dan;s playing and great production. Come on Mason. Post the whole interview 🤣🤣🤣.I am freaking out right now. To see him play Broken wing just made my decade. Thank you again for this interview Mason. Really inspiring

[@VertexEffectsInc]

I'm glad you like it. The intent of the teasers is to get some attention on some of the individual works deeper into the interview that some folks might not make it to. Typically, on a one-hour video, we might get 27 minutes or so average watch time, so someone might not make it to this section of the video. Releasing these as individual parts is the best way to ensure eye-on the content and that it doesn't get overlooked due to a viewers (limited) stamina.

[@johanrautenbach]

@@VertexEffectsInc I get it Makes perfect sense. I would give up my time for an hour Dan Huff video 🤣 He has had such an impact on my career. Thanks again for great content Mason. 👌👌👌

[@Bodyknowledge77]

When Mr Huff alluded to Waddy Wachtel and that vibrato arm thing I thought of Linda Ronstadt's cover of "Hurts So Bad". Sweet part inspired by another wammy attack.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Waddy’s a genius!

[@runningintohistory]

Absolutely fascinating. I was obsessed with obtaining Dan Huff's country sound for McBride. I was hired by a country band with a female vocalist back in the 90s, so I must have pulled it off because she has been my wife since...lol

[@funkemofo]

Groove is so deep💯🔥

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Absolutely!

[@secondtribe]

We can see here, how Dann still loves playing the guitar! :)

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes 👏

[@Smartyrdom]

Man that 2 More Bottles riff sounds greatly inspired by Van Halen’s “Feel Your Love Tonight”.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Sounds more like "Jamie's Cryin'" to me

[@Jakub88317]

Great video! What model of Matchless amplifier was Dann playing on? Regards

[@andywoodmusic]

I’d like to know this info as well

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It's a custom DC-30 that says "Dan Huff" on the back (missing an "N")

[@jaycareaga9929]

That Martina album was recorded at RCA Nashville and mostly produced by my friend Paul Worley.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for that! Thanks for watching Jay!

[@aldonova71]

I have just recently heard about this, from Buk. This guy is a monster!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Heard about Dann Huff from Buk or this video?

[@christopherkuefler9839]

Heard of him from Buk.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

He's there all the time apparently@@christopherkuefler9839

[@maxwrangler5788]

Dan Huff, the Nashville great. Brentwood native!

[@elnico135]

I'll wait until the full interview release. If I watch these videos is like watching spoilers for the full interview. Idk if you guys at Vertex like spoilers, I dont 😂

[@VertexEffectsInc]

The intent here is to get some of the parts of the interview that are deeper in some exposure. Generally the average watch time on a 1-hour video for us is about 27 minutes. So that means that the average viewer misses half the video and thereby might miss out on things they might actually like that they don't realize are there. This helps give some of songs more attention. It's not intended to ruin your experience.

[@elnico135]

@@VertexEffectsInc now I see and understand your point of view ❤

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Hope it makes sense. The idea is to get as many eyes on Dann as possible@@elnico135

[@floresnashvilledrummer]

Is that Dan Huff on the guitar solo for "Summer's Coming" by Clint Black?

[@Joe_Hunt_Music]

Yes it is. Killer guitar playing on that one

[@therealnashvillerock]

My fav Dan Huff works are with Clint Black and Jon Anderson. Dan came into his own.

[@AndyA1234]

What a great feel Dan has. I was trying to explain it to a non-.musician friend. The accents and playing on, before & ahead of the beat by a few milliseconds. Shredding doesn't do it for me. Give me something tasteful like what Dan does any day.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Rock on!

[@Donfleebie1]

And ‘Uncle Larry’ took up when Dann, and Brent slowed down.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Among others, yes!

[@TheScottWhyte]

🔥🔥🔥

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes!!!

[@philipptress6024]

What Gear did he use with the Tele? thanks

[@VertexEffectsInc]

We'll go into it in the full interview, for the original, he used a Matchless DC-30.

[@ReturnTheSanity]

You should try to get Vince Gill. His playing is great , and he has worked with so many artists, no doing The Eagles thing. It would be an amazing interview!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Working on it!

[@ReturnTheSanity]

@@VertexEffectsInc That would be awesome. For someone so accomplished and highly regarded in the guitar world, he is as humble as they come!

[@davidpenwell3432]

That riff at like 740 sounded like van halen feel your love tonight

[@BrianGilliamGuitar]

Believe the studio Dann refers to is The Money Pit……Eddie Bayers and Paul Worley’s studio

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, cool! Thank you for that!

[@tomcoryell]

Remember kids, on the recording you just have to nail it one time. Live, it’s every night.

[@jared8324]

Except live you can get away with almost bloody murder if there’s a crowd and everyone is drinking On a recording you are under laser focus

[@cmc2878]

The artist I currently play for had Dann play on her first couple records and I curse him every time I have to play one of his solos with the super clean sextuplets. Check out Jo Dee Messina “Dare to Dream”

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Will do! Thanks for watching!

[@jacobkincaid123]

what amp and drive??

[@VertexEffectsInc]

scuffhamamps.com/dann-huff-vertex

[@jacobkincaid123]

@@VertexEffectsInc what modeler is it?

[@BrettPalmer-t1p]

GIANT .... Last of the Runways!!!!!! That is all!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes!

[@davidpenwell3432]

All I had to do to make the transition was buying a telecaster and stopped playing my strat so much lol. Literally all I had to do to play pop rock to country

[@botisi]

Is the interview coming out this week?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes. End of the week!

[@rikshredder]

@@VertexEffectsInc OMG!!!!

[@botisi]

@@rikshredder im not even watching these small excerpts in order to savor it in its entirety when it comes out 😂😂😂

[@rikshredder]

@@botisi Haha that's a great idea!!

[@botisi]

@@VertexEffectsInc?

[@botisi]

The interview; When today? 😂

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It is live on our channel!

[@vhglenny]

My wet dre@m would be in the same stage, the prime time of Dann Huff, the prime time of Steve Lukather and the prime time of Andy Timmons, all of them the best super strat rock tone about this specifically feel.

[@senorgenio]

absolutely

[@denmar355]

Oh man! Goose bumps!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

That'd be one heck of a roundtable discussion!

[@GreenMeanie101]

If he is giving away any more Tylers tell him to give me a call LOL.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Hahaha, I think he gave it to Keith Urban.

[@ryandavidson8021]

I love your videos but the lighting really needs worked out. I have my brightness up and it’s still very dark. Thx.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It definitely has more of a moody look, but I think, if you’re looking at it in daylight, it may wash out some of the contrast, I’m looking at it on a phone right now, and it seems to be pretty solid. It’s all professionally lit and balanced. Out of the three teasers that we’ve published, this is the first I’ve heard anybody complain, so I’m presuming that if this were more widespread, we would’ve seen it come up in other instances.

[@michaelnilsson3103]

I really love the interviews you do with my great guitar heroes who have been my great inspiration and lifeline as a session guitarist in Sweden in the 80s. But I think KZbinrs who use Telegram AI bots for their communication should think again.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Huh? I don’t know what telegram is? Like western union?

[@michaelnilsson3103]

@@VertexEffectsInc Sorry must be spam sent so it looked like it was sent from your YT-channel.

[@missouriboy66]

Wrong Jimmy Bowen pic...

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for the correction, for the full video release we’ll make sure it’s fixed. I’m presuming this is the right Jimmy Bowen: ww1.namm.org/sites/www.namm.org/files_public/styles/800px/public/orh/img/Bowen_Jimmy_thumbnail.png?itok=eQi9Mlm-

[@blus3r]

It sounds thick and sticky, I think Boss GT100 can get that tone. Modern pedal i dont think so.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Uhhh 😬

[@blus3r]

@@VertexEffectsInc maybe I’m wrong. I know you could. 🫵🏻

[@rogerdat7807]

Tom Petty famously called THAT transition of country music: "Just bad rock & roll." 😂

[@VertexEffectsInc]

If that’s actually what he said, from a guy that didn’t play Country music and was dependent on Mike Campbell musically to bolster the Tom Petty name and sound, it sounds more like a cocaine fueled rant than actual wisdom.

[@rogerdat7807]

@VertexEffectsInc I appreciate your direct honesty, Mason. Also, thank you for your insights and teaching with all things gear. With Petty's comment, anyone who was a listener, or fan of country & western prior to the Def Leppard/Mutt Lang/Shania production evolution would wholeheartedly agree with Petty's statement - it was, and still can be horrible, cheesy rock & roll. As far as Petty's (and Mike Campbell's) pedigree and connection to "classic" country music, one need only hear/watch the live show of TP&H on Soundstage were they perform numerous classic country songs. Very nicely, I might add. Those songs were some of their favorites from childhood in rural panhandle, Florida, "aka the South." My comment wasn't a slam on anything, or anybody. OBVIOUSLY Dan Huff's contributions to modern country music helped it to suck less. Who controls the mainstream "formulas" ?!?!... It sure ain't the "artists" anymore. I think that was Petty's main point, being one of the original rebel artists to take on the formulas machine, and win.

[@rogerdat7807]

@VertexEffectsInc Just between us Bros, you might want to look into Petty's published works; other artists recorded HIS music. Campbell was instrumental to the sound and brought great melodic structure, but Petty was the songwriter - lyrics & music. You might be surprised to learn how Petty was the first modern day artist to take on the record machine. We're talking year's long fierce battles that culminated with his house being torched from the outside while he and his family were asleep inside. All the artists that followed in retaining their creative rights (like Prince) did so in Petty's giant footprints. Its actually quite fascinating as a seminal moment in recorded music history.

[@garykeller15]

have him explain what gave him the right to do what he did to Megadeth's Risk album. I believe he went behind the band, dave mustaine's back and made changes without dave mustaine and megadeth's knowledge and consent. then erased the original masters so Dave Mustaine had to go back and re-record that album probably other albums. Have Dann Huff explain himself for that. Also have him explain what gives the producer the idea thinking they have the right to go behind a band, artist, musicians back without their consent and change even one note or hire a sessions player to change whatever it is. Producer is paid only to produce, they are not there to go against the artists, bands, musicians wishes and consent and change things. Now Producers can offer ideas and show the ideas, but the artis, band, musician gets the final say. Me if dann huff or any producer did what dann huff did to Dave Mustaine/Megadeth on their Risk Album. Go behind my or my bands backs and without our consent changed even one note. that person would be fired on the spot and would not be paid. and if they did as Dann Huff erased the original masters of Risk to where Dave had to re-record the album Which that probably happened to more megadeth albums than risk If i not mistaken countdown to extinction and maybe another album that someone (Producer) destroyed or erased the original masters to just like what happened to RISK. So Dave had to re-record those albums. To go against and or behind the artist/band/musicians back and make changes is one thing but to erase/destroy the original masters also should lead to that producer or producers blacklisting from the entire music industry. So ask Dann Huff his side of the Megadeth. Why did he think he had the right to record over dave mustaine's parts, removed the lead solo marty friedman did. I want to know what Made Dann Huff think he has the right to go against his clients backs and change things and remove things without their knowledge and consent You want to give him Praise. But no producer who goes behind their clients back artists, band, musician, etc. whether they were told by the record label or they decided for themselves. They do not have a say. They have to obey the wishes of the band, artists, musician, if they want a crappy production after the producer shown them ideas that would make it better and they say no. That is their decision and their decision is final. The producer can not ever go against the wishes of the client, band, musician, artist. go behind their backs without knowledge or consent and change or hire session players to come in and change things. Oh worried about their work , they don't want to be known to have produced crappy stuff. well you can always say well sorry but you need to find another producer. So I want to know Why Dann huff when behind the backs of Megadeth and Dave Mustaine and changed stuff on the album risk when they were remastering i believe it was most if not the entire megadeth catalog was being remastered at the time. Also why did Dann huff erase or destroy the original masters so Dave Mustaine could not go back and just start back at remastering instead of having to totally re-record that album. and i believe he had to re-record Countdown to extinction or another album as well. what you can make a copy from the original master and use that to remaster and have the original master tape just in case you need to start from that point again. Why anybody gives producers credit or praise. who do this behind the artists/bands, musicians backs without their knowledge and consent . They do not deserve praise, they deserve to be blacklisted and shunned.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

No, I’m not going to ask him that. This is the wrong venue to air such a grievance. If you’re coming into my house, take off your shoes.

[@vhglenny]

@@VertexEffectsIncright, thnx for this extraordinary video.

[@Youreout]

Can someone please tell me what computer program he is using? Thanks!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Pro Tools?

[@Youreout]

@@VertexEffectsInc Thank you!