When It Comes To Supporting Cool Roots Artists, Colbert Picks Up Where Letterman Left Off
In the final years of his tenure as the host of The Late Show on CBS, David Letterman became one of the most tireless supporters of independent country and roots artists on television. Dale Watson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Shovels & Rope, Elizabeth Cook, Jason Isbell, and many other performers that mainstream radio would never sniff found the stage at the Ed Sullivan Theater a welcoming place, and the one outlet that would consider them for a network television debut.
“About 4 months ago 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.” Ray Wylie Hubbard explained about his 2012 appearance on the show. “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’
Dale Watson also made his network television debut on Letterman, and it was also at the behest of 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.”‘ recalls Beth Friend of Red House Records.
With Letterman’s retirement, the concern was this once important roots music outlet on television would dry up. But since Stephen Colbert has taken the reigns at The Late Show, quite the opposite has happened.
One of Cobert’s first country music guests was Chris Stapleton—just 10 days after Colbert went on air in September of 2015, and way before Stapleton’s big coming out party at the CMA Awards in November.
Margo Price, a true country music artist from east Nashville whose debut album Midwest Farmer’s Daughter from Third Man Records isn’t even due out until March 25th, was bestowed the opportunity to play Colbert on January 19th.
“It’s gotta be a hard job to fill the shoes of a legend like Letterman, but Stephen Colbert is making it look way too easy,” Margo Price tells Saving Country Music. “He is not only exposing unknown musicians to his audience but he’s also supporting racial and political underdogs. Stephen and his staff treated us very kind and are all salt of the earth people. It was truly an honor to play his show.”
Lake Street Dive played Colbert on January 26th to promote their upcoming February 19th release Side Pony produced by Dave Cobb. “He is seriously the nicest, coolest dude,” the band posted as they posed with Colbert on Instagram. They also played The Late Show in 2014 when Letterman was still hosting. Then later that week, another unknown female artist from Nashville named Aubrie Sellers made her network television debut on Colbert on the eve of the release of her album New City Blues.
Monday night (2-1), critically-acclaimed songwriter John Moreland will be making his network television debut from the Ed Sullivan Theater courtesy of Stephen Colbert—something the fans of the Oklahoma native likely never thought they would see. But that is the opportunity The Late Show has bestowed to many deserving country and roots artists.
The reason that Letterman left, but the opportunity for independent artists remains is because the same booking agent for Letterman remained on staff after Colbert took over. “We invited her out to one of John’s shows in NYC,” says the publicist for John Moreland, and after seeing him perform live, The Late Show was sold on the idea of booking Moreland.
As the opportunities to reach the masses through media continue to dwindle for independent artists, and mainstream radio continues to macro serve the mass consumer, opportunities like appearances on The Late Show can make the difference between an artist continuing to struggle in obscurity, or finding the attention to forge a sustainable career.
February 1, 2016 @ 8:25 pm
I have really enjoyed Colbert taking over. I don’t catch it every night, but it sure beats Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel in terms of quality of show right down to the music. Plus, I really like how Colbert will go from interviewing Bradley Cooper about whatever his new movie is to interviewing some author or scientist or political guest or whatever. He has managed to pull off a nice mix of dumb fun (interviewing some celebrity) as well as bringing a more intellectual tone to late night.
I can see how some people would be turned off by some of it, but it works for me. Excited to see John Moreland get some mainstream attention, dude is one of the best songwriters going right now even if his music is generally best suited for a rainy day and a bottle of bourbon.
February 1, 2016 @ 10:48 pm
By contrast, Kimmel had Old Dominion on tonight.
February 2, 2016 @ 6:50 am
ick
February 3, 2016 @ 2:42 am
There are many reasons to like Colbert, but for me his choices of musical guests has been actually the most disappointing aspect of the show, especially when compared with Letterman. Between Don Henley in September and Kacey Musgraves in January, he did not invite a single country music guest. Instead, the music on his show has been thus far dominated by whiny and/or unmelodic modern music that completely falls flat emotionally as far as I am concerned.
I have actually been quite happy with Fallon’s musical choices. During the same long country drought on Colbert’s show, Fallon invited Charles Kelley (with Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay) to sing “The Driver”, Steve Martin/Edie Brickell, Tim McGraw, Jennifer Nettles (to sing her excellent new song “Unlove You”), Kenny Rogers, and Chris Stapleton.
The mainstream music on Fallon’s show is also a good mix of old and new. I especially loved the performances by Andrea Bocelli and Stephen Bishop. Basically, Fallon’s show features much more musical diversity than Colbert’s, and in that sense Fallon seems to be the one truly carrying on Letterman’s legacy.
February 1, 2016 @ 9:37 pm
As if I needed another reason to love Stephen Colbert!
February 2, 2016 @ 12:16 am
Dale Watson made his network television debut several years ago on NBC on Friday Night Lights as the ornery wrecking yard operator.
February 2, 2016 @ 12:26 am
That’s a little different, but an interesting footnote. Shakey Graves also appeared on Friday Night Lights.
February 2, 2016 @ 6:12 am
Colbert is the RFD–Real Fucking Deal.
February 2, 2016 @ 8:10 am
I’ve never been a follower of his old show or Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show but I do like how he’s adapted a “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” mentality by mixing his old show with his real self. Also give him credit for being bi-partisan with his political guests.
February 2, 2016 @ 10:36 am
I think my favorite part of Colbert is he refuses to just “back down” to politicians or pundits when he has them on his show. Fallon and the like are clearly out of their depth when discussing those kind of matters, but you can tell Colbert actually does some research before having them on. I still remember when he called out Bill Maher on his show over Maher’s anti-religious statements. You could tell Maher didn’t expect it, but Colbert refused to allow him to just rant for 5 minutes and go to break, instead challenging him a bit.
It’s sad/funny that guys like Colbert seem to do a better job of tackling political and social issues than some of the “real” journalists you will find on MSNBC, CNN or Fox News.
February 4, 2016 @ 8:44 pm
Bill Maher is such a detestable ass-hat. Any time he gets served is a good day.
February 2, 2016 @ 9:33 am
Hell yeah. This is something I had hoped to see with Colbert’s Late Show, and it seems to be coming to fruition.
By the way, Kacey Musgraves was also on a few weeks ago. And Don Henley, and Willie Nelson a while back.
Anyway, I don’t know much about Sheryl Zelikson (the talent booker lady), but she definitely seems to have an ear for real talent.
Somebody needs to turn her on to Whitey Morgan.
February 2, 2016 @ 9:58 am
That Moreland performance was stunning. So glad I have tix to see him later this month. Cannot wait for that one.
February 2, 2016 @ 10:18 am
By the way, cool graphic at the top.
February 2, 2016 @ 10:33 am
Conan is pretty good at pulling in some roots artists as well. Not on the level of bringing someone like John Moreland on, but he has had Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell numerous times.
February 2, 2016 @ 10:48 pm
Yeah, I seem to recall that Conan’s music booker is a Nashville native.
February 2, 2016 @ 10:40 am
Having caught quite a few Moreland shows over the years, from the Mercury Lounge when I lived in Tulsa to the upstairs room of Prospero’s Books here in KC, it was surreal to see him on Colbert.
I don’t know John. Never spoken to him. But it was like seeing a longtime friend make his national debut. His music has long been a welcome soundtrack to the tough days of life and it’s only getting better.
Here’s hoping Monday’s stellar performance brings even more good his way.
February 2, 2016 @ 11:07 am
Out of all the debuts on national television, that was certainly the one that was the most unexpected, if not special. And I like how Moreland changed nothing about himself. It was the same way you would see him if you went to one of his shows. He could have brought in a backing band, etc., but he just kept it real.
February 2, 2016 @ 12:04 pm
That’s a great point. I’d be surprised if he ever changes for anyone but himself.
I also picked up on how Colbert approached him after his performance. Maybe I’m off, but it seemed as if Colbert knew Moreland was a no-nonsense guy of few words and respected that. Instead of bounding up to him and praising him joyfully, he shook his hand, gave him a nod of approval and signed off.
February 2, 2016 @ 12:21 pm
I felt the same way on how Colbert approached him.
February 2, 2016 @ 12:06 pm
I am really not a fan of Colbert or his show and I wasn’t so big on Letterman but I always checked to see who Letterman was having on as a music guest and I’m very glad Colbert is carrying that torch.
February 2, 2016 @ 1:54 pm
I just saw a Rush documentary in which they said the band’s appearance on The Colbert Report played a huge role in their election to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The appearance was their first on US TV in decades. While I’m not the biggest Rush fan, I do like it when a long established band gets into the hall over some acts that put out one or two albums before breaking up. Longevity should not be assumed.
February 2, 2016 @ 2:06 pm
Fuck Moreland is so good. Goosebumps. So much realness to that whole performance. Nobody in the business better without a backing band. Stripped down John Morelands music is really something special and beautiful. Really exciting to see him finally get a shot on a bigger stage. Awesome performance
February 4, 2016 @ 8:55 pm
Although I completely agree with your assessment of Mr. Morelands performance (and as a Moreland fan myself) but I have to say that Chris Knight is every bit as good without a backing band.
February 2, 2016 @ 3:22 pm
Never heard of John Moreland,but I must say I’m impressed.Hell of a performance and a solid song.
February 2, 2016 @ 5:26 pm
I am stoked that Moreland got that big of an audience, he deserves it.
But I am very impressed by great American music acts that the Booking Agent and Colbert have been having on the show!
February 2, 2016 @ 7:27 pm
Trigger, I am a little late to post since I can’t while at work. But watched this video probably half a dozen times. Great song and incredible performance. Wondering if you had any thoughts on John playing a song from his previous record instead of the new one? Because this song is such a great representation of what he’s all about or maybe a way for new fans to delve into his back catalogue, too? Or, maybe the dude just wanted to do his own thing. Either way, God bless him for it.
Thanks.
February 2, 2016 @ 7:56 pm
Yeah, with the performance John laid down, it’s hard to second guess anything. He thought that was the best song to bring to that audience, and the results speak for themselves. I think John got a serious boost from this performance—much more than many of the other Late Show performances.
February 3, 2016 @ 8:09 am
I have enjoyed watching Colbert’s show evolve from glorifying reality stars to something more meaningful. Fallon is so busy talking over the top of everyone, he doesn’t really listen to his guests. He’s just so jacked up on his abilities to entertain and put on a one man show.
February 3, 2016 @ 1:16 pm
I really enjoyed how the folks from Colbert set the tone for his performance. The lighting was perfect, Stephen’s intro was subdued and simple. From the first seconds of the clip it invited people in to listen closely and pay attention to what was going on. It’s one thing to book him, but they did everything they could have to give him an engaged and captivated audience.
February 4, 2016 @ 12:21 pm
Your Twitter link – @the_triggerman – on your website no longer works. If you are now using @KyleCoroneos instead, you need to fix your web. 🙂
I love your site, btw.
February 4, 2016 @ 1:57 pm
Thanks for the heads up. The handle was changed a few weeks ago. It was re-directing previously but I guess Twitter put the kibosh on it.
Glad you found the site.
February 4, 2016 @ 4:40 pm
Been lurking for a few years, and I’ve Tweeted a few of your articles. All 3 Gatlin Bros. individually “Liked” my link to your Worst Songs of Country Music article month or so back.
Keep it up 🙂