The Drive-By Truckers salute Stephen Colbert

The Drive-By Truckers reunited with guitarist Jason Isbell for their final appearance on The Late Show on December 2, 2025. 

From Patterson Hood...

"To say that DBT are massive fans of Stephen Colbert is an understatement in the league of saying I kind of like The Beatles, The Stones, Zeppelin or The Clash. Mr. Colbert is not only the best at what he does on TV, he is among The BEST of what America has to offer itself and the world. A true class act, top to bottom. Smart (another understatement), kind, caring, full of love and joy. And funny as hell. Truly sidesplitting hilarious, always punching up and never punching down, speaking truth to power and the ridiculousness that so often accompanies it. 

"We were honored to play Hell No, I Ain’t Happy (with Jason Isbell sitting in) on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert this past winter. We did it knowing that it would be the last time. To say it was joyful would be another understatement. DBT has been doing late night TV for nearly 25 years, having done so numerous times for hosts ranging from Craig Kilborn, Conan O’Brien (numerous times on two of his shows), Jimmy Fallon and David Letterman, but this was a next level experience. The joy we witnessed backstage was moving and infectious. The staff was next-level wonderful to us and Mr. Colbert himself came back to personally greet us. It was truly one of my favorite experiences of the 30 years DBT has been a band.  

"I’d like to thank Stephen Colbert for being the man you are. A man of rare intelligence and grace, a source of joy and light in these dark times, a man of wisdom and humor when we needed it most. Thank you for what you’ve done and especially for how you’ve gone about doing it."

Much Love and Respect,

Patterson Hood and Drive-By Truckers

Watch The Drive-By Truckers with Jason Isbell perform "Hell No, I Ain't Happy" from the Definitive Decoration Day box set below. 

Sir Paul McCartney joins Stephen Colbert for the Last Show

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ended it's run at the Ed Sullivan Theatre appropriately with guest Sir Paul McCartney.

Watch Bruce Springsteen sing "Streets of Minneapolis" on The Late Show

The Boss powerfully reprised "Streets of Minneapolis" for the second last episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.  

David Letterman gives Late Show host Stephen Colbert proper send off

With one week to go on The Late Show, host Stephen Colbert joined David Letterman on the roof of NYC's Ed Sullivan Theatre. 

John Fogerty rips through medley of his CCR classics on The Late Show

After a short chat with host Stephen Colbert, John Fogerty got down to the business of rockin' out Creedence style. 

See Mavis Staples perform "Human Mind" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

"Human Mind" (co-written by Allison Russell & Hozier) is off Mavis Staples' new album Sad and Beautiful World which is out now.

Here's the scoop from Mavis...

“Human Mind,” the final single off my new album Sad and Beautiful World, is out today. Thank you to Hozier and Allison Russell for writing this with me in their hearts. It’s a song about keeping faith in humanity.

I’ll be performing “Human Mind” tonight live on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Tune in at 11:35 Eastern / 10:35 Central to catch the show.

Listen to "Human Mind" - https://mavisstaples.ffm.to/sadandbeautifulworld

Watch Mavis Staples perform "Human Mind" on The Late Show below. 

Get a copy of Mavis Staples' new Brad Cook-produced album "Sad and Beautiful World" via Bandcamp right here.

Fred Armisen promotes new sound effects album on late night talk shows

Fred Armisen – who plays Uncle Fester on the Wednesday series – has a new sound effects album coming out via Drag City on September 26th.

Here's the scoop...

Fred Armisen, long known as one of the most curious actor/comedian/musician/ producer/ author/all-round good guys in the business, likes unusual ways of entertaining people. Like this one: 100 Sound Effects – slated for release September 26 via Drag City – is an album that that can be used as a library, an industrial tool for your own entertainment projects, or simply for brain-stimulating deep listening. 

From basic sounds ("Tent Zipper," "Wine Glass Breaking in Sink," "Basketball on Carpet)"  to more abstract scenarios ("Music Venue Employee Kicking Everyone Out While Throwing Away Bottles," "Disappointed Crowd – Dublin," "Thrift Store Perfunctory Search for Halloween Costume," "Haunted House Ghost Going Upstairs but the Door is Locked"), 100 Sound Effects is an album like no other! Note: It actually contains 101 sound effects. 

You can get a vinyl copy of Fred Armisen's 100 Sound Effects album via Bandcamp right here. Check out Fred Armisen talking about 100 Sound Effects with Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert – who both seem to be blissfully unaware of the concept of sound effects albums – followed by Fred's zoom chat briefly about the album (and other stuff) with Charles Brownstein for the Records In My Life podcast. Listen to Fred talk about 100 Sound Effects on The New Yorker's Radio Hour podcast right here.  

LINKS

Drag City Fred Armisen

Late Show sleighs incoming US administration with "It's A Worm-Derful Life" cartoon

Just in time for the holidays, Team Colbert delivered a Christmas cartoon miracle, "It's A Worm-Derful Life" Have a look. 

Nick Cave sees the folly in "disgraceful self-indulgence"

Watch Nick Cave's revealing 30-minute chat on the Australian Story followed by his entire discussion with Stephen Colbert. 

André 3000 talks about his divisive New Blue Sun album with Stephen Colbert

OutKast fans are split on André 3000's woodwind-oriented New Blue Sun album which comes with a warning label: "No Bars" 

Jeff Tweedy chats about his new book on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco stopped by the Late Show to discuss his third book, World Within A Song available here. 

Barbra Steisand invites Stephen Colbert over to chat about her new book

Check out Stephen Colbert's five-part interview with Barbra about her new memoir "My Name Is Barbra" at her Malibu home. 

Elvis Costello takes the Colbert Questionert

Elvis Costello has Gregory Peck's signature in his autograph book. For an encore, he sings Bob Dylan's "I Threw It All Away." 

Bruce Springsteen and his favourite guitar on The Late Show

Bruce Springsteen brought along his 50s Fender Telecaster/Esquire for show and tell but doesn't use it to perform "The River".  

You can find out more about Bruce Springsteen & Barack Obama's book Renegades and get a copy right here. 

Watch The Black Keys play "Goin' Down South"

The Black Keys' cover of RL Burnside's "Goin' Down South" was left off the televised broadcast of Stephen Colbert's Late Show.

Watch animated clip 'Twas The Coup Before Christmas

Stephen Colbert's Late Show elves Matt Lappin & Tim Luecke have created a clever new holiday cartoon classic. Check it out.  

Elvis Costello discusses Armed Forces reissue and Hey Clockface album

The Complete Armed Forces box set – with 9 pieces of vinyl – is due November 6; Hey Clockface is out Friday. 

Bruce Springsteen reconnects with E Street Band for Letter To You

Check out Bruce Springsteen's chat with Stephen Colbert about his new album Letter To You out Friday. 

Happy Birthday Jimmy Carter!

Celebrating Jimmy 96th birthday with a song-poem classic, documentary trailer and a chat with Jonathan Alter about his new bio.

Read what Michael Schaub had to say about Jonathan Alter's His Very Best for NPR right here.  

Michael Moore marks Earth Day with Planet Of The Humans eco-doc

Filmmaker Michael Moore launched the climate change documentary Planet Of The Humans on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Watch it below.