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Kenny Vaughan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kenny Vaughan
Vaughan (second from left) playing with Marty Stuart (left) in 2022
Background information
Birth nameKenneth Vaughan
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1971–present
LabelsSugar Hill

Kenneth Vaughan is an American guitarist. He is best known as a long-time member of Marty Stuart’s supporting band, The Fabulous Superlatives.

Career

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Early life

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Vaughan was born in Oklahoma, but raised in Denver, Colorado. His guitar instructor was Bill Frisell. In the late 1960s, Vaughan played in a number of rock bands in the nearby Littleton, Colorado, area (where he lived), including a progressive rock group called Amos. Soon after, Vaughan joined a local progressive jazz band, and then began playing country music in local bars.[1]

Vaughan was a member of the Colorado punk band Jonny III in the late 1970s and early 80s. This band started Vaughan's partnership with his long-time songwriting partner Jeffrey Leroy Smith, better known as Leroy X.[2] He moved to Nashville in the 1980s, where he became known as a country music guitarist.[3]

Along with Greg Garing, Vaughan was in part responsible for the revitalization of Nashville's historic Lower Broadway district. They drew crowds of listeners while playing in the back room of Tootsie's.[4]

Vaughan was briefly a member of McBride & the Ride in 1994,[5] and later, of Trent Summar & the New Row Mob.[6]

Touring and recording

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Vaughan has been a member of Marty Stuart’s Fabulous Superlatives since its inception in 2002.[7][8] Previously, he toured with Lucinda Williams as she promoted Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. He also has supported Allison Moorer and Kim Richey.[9]

Vaughan's only solo album (so far) is V, made with members of The Fabulous Superlatives and Marty Stuart himself. The album, released in 2011, is a mix of country, rockabilly, and blues songs written by Vaughan, and includes three instrumental tracks.[10][11]

In addition to his session work and touring with the Fabulous Superlatives, Vaughan performs as part of his trio whenever he returns to Nashville. The Kenny Vaughan Trio also includes Jeffrey Clemens (G Love and Special Sauce) on drums and Dave Roe (Johnny Cash) on bass.[12]

Awards

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In 2002, Vaughan was inducted into the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame.[13]

In 2006, Vaughan received the Americana Music Association's Instrumentalist of the Year award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist.[14]

Music Equipment

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Vaughan primarily plays chambered-body guitars by Floyd Cassista with Lindy Fralin pickups. His amplifiers have been a Fender Princeton Reverb and a Valco 1x12 combo.[15]

Working with input from Vaughan, Marty Stuart, and Paul Martin, RS Guitarworks produced the Superlative series of guitars and basses.[16]

Discography

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Solo albums

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With Marty Stuart

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As primary contributor

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As supporting musician

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References

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  1. ^ "Kenny Vaughan". Music City Roots. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  2. ^ Icepick Phil. "Jonny III". Colorado New Wave/Punk Rock. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  3. ^ Mallernee Barnes, Ellen (1 December 2011). "Hillbilly Rock: With 'V,' Kenny Vaughan Takes the Mic". BMI News. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  4. ^ Tunis, Walter (29 November 2012). "Walter Tunis: Kenny Vaughan makes Willie's the place to be". Kentucky.com. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  5. ^ Mansfield, Brian (March 1994). "McBride & the Ride: Now They Are Six". New Country. 1 (1): 11.
  6. ^ "Trent Summar Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  7. ^ "Marty Stuart Fan Page: The Band". Sherry. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  8. ^ Jon Weisberger (August 31, 2005). "Marty Stuart - The party may come to an end, but the road goes on forever". No Depression. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  9. ^ Tunis, Walter (21 June 2012). "Country guitarist Kenny Vaughan steps out on his own". Lexington Herald Reader. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  10. ^ Ellis, Andy (18 October 2011). "CD Review: Kenny Vaughan - "V"". Premier Guitar. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  11. ^ Lines, Mando (13 September 2011). "Kenny Vaughan: V". No Depression. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  12. ^ Morrisey, Larry (24 October 2012). "Not Just a Country Picker". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  13. ^ "CCMHOF Inductees". Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  14. ^ staff writer (23 September 2006). "Neil Young, James McMurtry win Americana music awards". The Star Online. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  15. ^ Fox, Darrin (8 August 2006). "Marty Stuart: One of Country Music's New Traditionalists". Guitar Player. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  16. ^ "Superlative Series Guitars & Basses". RD Guitarworks. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
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