When Vickie Vaughn took the stage at Nashville’s Station Inn before a sell-out crowd to celebrate the release of her new solo album Travel On, she said, “Wow! It feels like heaven. They say you’re gonna see everyone you know there.” Sure enough, she was joined by friends on and off stage, including a contingency of the California Bluegrass Association who made a special trip to Music City.
Vaughn said that some performers alternate new songs with the old at an album release, but she wanted to play the recording all the way through from top to bottom, kicking off with the title track, written by Nathan Blake Lynn, in the audience for the show. Mat MaGahan, who wrote “Still in Love,” was also in the crowd.
Remarking that she loves great background vocals, she welcomed Lillie Mae Rische and Justin Alexander to the stage in time to join on “Bottle of Wine,” which Vaughn co-wrote with veteran songwriter Thomm Jutz. Justin Hiltner also provided harmony vocals, including “She’s on My Mind,” the cheating song Vaughn co-wrote with Nora Struthers. One of the other early releases, “Leavin’” also evoked a rousing response from the Friday night audience.
Three-time IBMA bass player of the year, Vaughn was joined by fellow Della Mae bandmate Kimber Ludiker, herself a three-time Grand Master fiddle champion. Introducing Casey Campbell on mandolin, Vaughn noted that they had been celebrating together for fifteen year and added, “We feel and hear music pretty much the same. Dave Racine played drums, and Seth Taylor—recently touring with Post Malone, played guitar. Tray Wellington played banjo most of the evening, with Wes Corbett of Sam Bush Band joining on “Liza Jane.”
“Mama Took Her Ring Off,” one of the tracks from the album released in advanced, was a strong part of the night. The song, written after Vaughn lost her father, was co-written with Deanie Richardson (Sister Sadie), who produced the album. She also performed “The Pilot,” which she says she wrote about her faith, playing arco bass.
They also performed “Lone Pine Hill,” a Civil War love song written by Justin Townes Earle. The closing song from the album, “When Love Comes Knockin,’” which Vaughn called “everybody’s favorite we didn’t release first,” was written by Dani Flowers and Adam Wright.
The band took a break after playing through Travel On, with merch than included “I’m Friends with Vickie” tee shirts and hats. Vaughn returned to the stage for a solo “just me and my bass” rendition of Heart’s “Straight On.” She went on to play duets with some of her special music friends—“Kentucky” with Campbell, Avril Smith (Della Mae) Jack McKeon, and more. She also shared the spotlight with Rische, Alexander, and Hiltner before bringing the full band back for “Wild and Blue,” closing out with “King of the Road.”
And she was right: the night did feel a little bit like Heaven.
