With a diverse background in honky-tonk, punk and progressive jazz, Vaughan studied with guitarist Bill Frisell, before joining a neighborhood party band that lead to the formation of Denver punk outfit The Jonny 3.
After moving to Nashville, Vaughn returned to country roots and picked up with the likes of The Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Patty Loveless, Rodney Crowell, Marshall Chapman, and Kim Richey.