Letterman Books Country Greats for Final Shows
Over the last few years, David Letterman and The Late Show have become tireless supporters of many of the older country artists and up-and-comers that mainstream country so unfortunately pays little to no attention to. To giving artists like Ray Wylie Hubbard, Dale Watson, and Sturgill Simpson their first network debut, to being one of the few shows regularly willing to book Willie Nelson and other legends, Letterman has been one way for worthy artists to receive the recognition they deserve, and in many instances by the request of David Letterman himself.
“I don’t remember exactly if Dave heard Dale on Sirius XM or on “All Things Considered,” but it was one of the two, and they called us up and said, ‘We want Dale Watson on the show, and we want him to play “I Lie When I Drink.”‘ Beth Friend of Red House Records explained to Saving Country Music in June of 2013. “It was such a surprise because you try for years to get the attention of people, and then all of a sudden you receive a phone call from them.”
Ray Wylie Hubbard tells a similar story, “My booking agent receives a phone call and this girl said she was Jennifer from Worldwide Pants, and Dave would like to know if Ray would do his show.” Hubbard explains. “She didn’t know what Worldwide Pants was so she goes, “Dave who?” And Jennifer goes, “Dave Letterman, January 9th.” And the booking agent goes, “Well let me make sure he’s not playing a happy hour gig in Waco, those things are hard to re-schedule.”
READ: David Letterman Reaching Out To Support Roots Artists
When David Letterman announced his retirement, it meant not just the loss of the folksy humorist on television, but potentially less television opportunities for country and roots artists in the future. However it also meant a big opportunity to be showcase on one of his final shows.
On Monday (4-13), many of the performers for Letterman’s final shows were announced, and the majority of the lineup is made up of country and roots greats, including Asleep at the Wheel performing Monday night. Joining Dave on his final run will be:
”Emmylou Harris ”Ralph Stanley ”Chris Stapleton ”Asleep at the Wheel ”Brandi Carlile ”The Avett Brothers ”Tom Waits ”Amos Lee ”Elvis Costello ”Ben Bridwell ”Iron & Wine ”Mumford & Sons ”Norah Jones ”Tracy Chapman ”Dave Matthews Band
A few select special guests have yet to be announced for some of the very final shows. Might we see Willie Nelson, or late night favorite Elizabeth Cook? April 13th begins Letterman’s final month of shows, with only 28 episodes remaining.
April 13, 2015 @ 7:04 pm
This is great. Very cool of him. For some reason I haven’t watched his show in about 20 years – am an avid RedEye viewer these days – but I will definitely have to tune in to some of these.
April 13, 2015 @ 7:14 pm
What is RedEye?
April 13, 2015 @ 7:32 pm
Late night comedic look at the news, on Fox News… More libertarian viewpoint than republican. YouTube it. When it’s good it’s really funny.
April 13, 2015 @ 7:16 pm
That’s quite an impressive list of artists Dave has planned for the waning days of his show. Of course, Letterman is no roots-music-fan-come-lately, and has in fact been booking great music for a long while. The linked Johnny Cash-Waylon Jennings interview from 1985 stands as one of the show’s shining moments. Country music fans who’ve never seen it are advised to check it out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpOyyQXnqiQ
April 15, 2015 @ 6:21 am
Always loved that interview. No matter what the setting was, Johnny and Waylon always had such a great chemistry. As far as performances go, Earl Scruggs and friends doing Foggy Mountain Breakdown has to be my all-time favorite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icMTVV5Lwaw
April 13, 2015 @ 8:29 pm
I’m very sad about Letterman retiring. I’m surprised that Jason Isbell is not on the list since he’s one of Letterman’s all-time favorites.
April 14, 2015 @ 10:35 am
Lettermans last show is May 20 th and Isbell happens to be playing Port Chester that night just outside of the city. Since Dave tapes in the late afternoon my guess is that Isbell will be the musical guest on his last show.
April 13, 2015 @ 8:54 pm
And Sturgill’s on Conan in 5 minutes.
April 13, 2015 @ 9:34 pm
Anyway, good on Letterman.
Once he’s gone I’m afraid no one will take his place in hosting these kinds of artists on mainstream TV. His replacement, Colbert, typically had indie rock-style musical guests on his previous show, and although he will presumably have to pull from a wider variety of acts on Late Night, he doesn’t seem like the type to heavily feature country / roots music artists. It’s not part of his “brand,” as they say.
The unique thing about Letterman is that he’s an actual roots music fan. He also doesn’t give a damn if his show “skews old” by having on legendary and veteran artists.
April 14, 2015 @ 7:04 am
Colbert actually has some decent vocal chops too. He killed it in a duet with Elvis Costello on a cover of the Everly Bros “All I Have To Do Is Dream”. Worth a google if you’re interested. I think he’ll do just fine as host and with musical guests as well.
April 14, 2015 @ 8:33 am
I remember seeing on youtube that he had John Prine on once, so there’s some hope.
April 14, 2015 @ 4:04 am
Letterman hosting roots artists, and his frequently having Norm MacDonald as a guest, were the only good things about his show. Leno is/was by far the funnier stand up, the better host, and manged to have a good show without the clear agenda. Plus, Letterman is personally unlikable and has treated his family like shit.
April 14, 2015 @ 5:05 am
He was a lot edgier (and funnier) when he was on Late Night, on NBC, back in the day. It seemed like once he moved to CBS, he started to mellow out.
April 14, 2015 @ 4:49 am
Letterman’s farewell to Zevon is one of the greatest, most beautiful, most enjoyable hours of television viewing in my life.
April 14, 2015 @ 6:51 am
Amen to that!
April 14, 2015 @ 4:58 am
When I first read this headline I thought it said “Brooks” not “books” and I read the whole article more than once thinking it was about Garth and being confused.
April 14, 2015 @ 7:00 am
Great recent quote from Dave after Tony Joe White’s performance of Polk Salad Annie:
If I was this guy, you could all kiss my ass.
April 14, 2015 @ 7:04 am
Great Lineup. Dave has good taste. Awesome that Dale will get some exposure. BTW “I Lie when I drink” is one my favorite Dale Watson songs.
April 14, 2015 @ 8:57 am
So awesome to see Ralph Stanley on the list! More people need to see this legend before he goes on to be with the Lord.
April 14, 2015 @ 11:48 am
Travis, you are assuming Ralph Stanley isn’t going to outlive us all.
April 15, 2015 @ 7:20 am
He is going to pull an Enoch.
April 14, 2015 @ 2:53 pm
Not really relevant, but this reminded me of it. Years ago, probably mid-1990s or so, George Strait was scheduled to be on Letterman. One of the promos for the show had Strait standing in a doorway saying something like “Most people don’t know this, but when I’m performing I have a live chicken under my hat.” Just thought it was an odd, quirky thing.
April 15, 2015 @ 6:49 pm
Gotta think he’ll be booking Ryan Adams, those have a mutual admiration for each other over the years.
May 1, 2015 @ 8:15 pm
Sad to see Letterman go. Will miss his musical guests!