Ryan Adams Plays Hits, Whiskeytown Track at 'Live on Letterman' -- Video

On Monday, Dec. 5, Ryan Adams landed at New York's Ed Sullivan Theater to deliver a stirring performance for a special 'Live on Letterman' taping. "Like a cheeseburger on roller skates rolling down a pyramid of cash, it's Ryan Adams," the singer announced before the start of the show. This was followed by a man in a giant dog suit appearing at the entrance of the concert hall. Most people probably assumed that Adams was inside, but the grizzled rocker took to the stage just as the beagle finished hyping up the crowd.

After getting situated, Adams took up his tri-tone Americana axe and harmonica headpiece and went right into a solemn rendition of 'Oh, My Sweet Carolina' from his landmark debut album 'Heartbreaker.' Needless to say, this was a set that every Adams fan would love to see. The singer even had a few apt moments of hilarity for the 'Letterman' audience.

"I'm stoked to even play in here. This is super awesome, right? My favorite show on television, hands down, is the 'Letterman' show specifically because it's just absurd," he said. "And also it's potentially frightening if you're stoned, to watch it, in both good and bad ways. And because 'Moonlighting' has been off the air so long, they lost the No. 1 position."

Adams then gave a critic's evaluation of the old CBS show, delving into the problems of "Booger" from 'Better Off Dead' (he was referring to actor Curtis Armstrong, who played booger in 'Revenge of the Nerds') joining the cast and why he spent a bunch of cash to get the wrong vinyl version of the 'Moonlighting' soundtrack. What do you think of the singer-songwriter's return to the spotlight?

Watch Ryan Adams' Full 'Live on Letterman' Performance