The music historian who appears early in the film is called Martin Berg. Almost certainly a reference to Marty DiBergi from This Is Spinal Tap.

The Folksmen first appeared on a Saturday Night Live skit in 1983, and have toured as Spinal Tap's "opening act".

Christopher Guest's appearance (moustache, Bozo hair) was based on folk singer Tom Paxton.

The cover of Mitch and Mickey's record "Meet Mitch and Mickey" is a reference to the cover of "Meet the Beatles."

Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer also played bandmates in "This is Spinal Tap".

All three acts in the movie were based on actual 1960's folk groups: the Folksmen on the Kingston Trio, Mitch & Mickey on Ian & Sylvia, and the New Main Street Singers on the New Christie Minstrels.