We talk to Kirk Fletcher from his home in Switzerland and go way down the rabbit hole talking about everything from Ry Cooder and James Burton, to our love of Guitar Player magazines from the 70s and '80s. Kirk gives us a little lesson on "Memphis Soul Stew," and he talks about his new Youtube Channel.
In Part 1 of our 3-part series with the Grammy award-winning producer John Leventhal, we discuss his early years, and why he picked up the guitar and began learning the craft of songwriting. He also describes the thrill of having his first outing as a producer result in a Grammy win for Shawn Colvin's 1989 album, Steady On. John also shares how a home studio demo tape led to him catching the attention of Marc Cohn and working on Cohn's huge hit, "Walking in Memphis." Leventhal also discusses how...
In Part 3, we discuss John Leventhal's gear. We cover the wealth of instruments and amps used in the studio, and the outright Spartan rig he uses on the road. Also, John plays a number of solo clips that both showcase his signature touch and tone, and pays homage to a number of his favorite guitarists. https://truetonelounge.com https://truetone.com
In Part 2, we discuss John Leventhal's 23 years of musical collaboration with wife Rosanne Cash, and his recent work with Stax Records singer and songwriter, William Bell. We go in-depth on his philosophy behind the reimagining of classic country and folk tunes on Rosanne Cash's The List, the inspiration behind her "Southern" themed album, The River & The Thread, and the thrills and challenges of making the modern soul album, This Is Where I live, with William Bell.
Pat Bergeson visits the Truetone Lounge to talk guitar and to share his experiences as a veteran touring and studio musician. Besides his past work with Chet Atkins, Lyle Lovett, Wynonna, and Madeleine Peyroux, Pat shares of his recent work with guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel, and touring with Les Brers, a group of former Allman Brothers that includes Butch Trucks, Jack Pearson, Otiel, and Jaimoe. Throughout the episode, Pat’s playing and tone demonstrate why he has continued to be an in-demand gu...
From touring with some of the biggest acts in the music business, to appearing in a music video with the legendary Miles Davis, guitarist Pat Buchanan has seemingly done it all. In our interview with Buchanan, we talk about his early years in Atlanta, his time touring with Cameo and Hall & Oats in the 1980's, his work with Cyndi Lauper in the early 90's, and his move to Nashville to become a part of the session scene. We also discuss Pat's current gig with Amy Grant, working on the Nashville...
Paul Franklin is arguably the greatest modern innovator of the pedal steel guitar. In our Truetone Lounge interview, we cover both his work in country music, and his groundbreaking steel playing outside of the genre with artists as diverse as Dire Straits, Sting, Barbara Streisand, and Megadeth.
In Part 2 our interview with Paul Franklin, we discuss his new streaming “The Paul Franklin Method” lesson system, Paul’s triadic approach to soloing, and some of the ins-and-outs for the beginner wanting to get into the pedal steel
With Grammy's and millions of albums sales under his belt, Pete Anderson has nothing to prove. Anderson sits down with us to tell us his story, from sleeping in cars to incredible commercial success with Dwight Yoakam. Pete also reveals how much he was involved in the overall success of Yoakam, everything from getting he and the band's "look" together, to rehearsing the band until they could play the tunes in their sleep.
In part 2, Pete talks about gear and how he produces records. He leads off by pulling out his 59 Esquire, and the parts guitar that he uses for sessions and club gigs. Anderson also goes in-depth on how he handles pre-production on an album, and the process he goes through in both tracking and overdubbing on a project. We also get useful insight on eq for guitars, and how to help your guitar sit in the mix better.
In the latest installment of the Truetone Lounge, Redd Volkaert shares with us his journey from the bars of Vancouver, Canada, to the stages with Merle Haggard, to his Grammy win for his work with Brad Paisley, to his current status as one of the great Honky-Tonk guitar heroes. Along the way, Volkaert heaps praise on bandleader extraordinaire, Don Kelley, for his powerful influence, and the thrill of filling Roy Nichol’s shoes in Merle Haggard’s band. In the gear department, we discuss what he l...
Today, we catch up with the mighty Redd Volkaert and see how he has been doing since he moved from Texas to Virginia, and what he has been doing while he has been isolating at home.
In part 1 of our Truetone Lounge interview, we cover Reggie Young's early years in Memphis playing with the Bill Black Combo and sessions at Royal Studios, all the way up to his early work with Chips Moman at American Sound Studios.
Part 3 covers Reggie's work in the 90's, all the way up to his just-released solo album, Forever Young. We then dive headlong into his gear.
In part 2 with Reggie Young, we discuss his work with Elvis, and what lead to the end of American Studios in Memphis. We continue with his move to Nashville in 1972, and how a session...
Rob McNelley is one of the very few "first call" session guitarists in Nashville, TN. In part 1 of 2, we discuss his musical upbringing in Ohio, his move to Nashville, working as a touring guitarist, and how he began to get called for studio work . McNelley recalls how his playing on Lady Antebellum's chart topping hit, "Need You Now," single-handedly launched his recording career. Rob also shares how performing with his own band locally, and touring with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Bob Seger, ...
In part 2 of our Truetone Lounge interview with guitarist Rob McNelley, we talk about the gear he uses both on the road, and in the studio. Rob talks about, and then demonstrates 3 of his most used instruments; his 1953 gold top Les Paul, his P90 equipped Senn Pomona, and his prized 1965 Stratocaster that was formerly owned and played by his father. He also goes in-depth with his pedal board, and talks about his vintage Princeton Reverb, his favorite grab and go amp.
Ryan Wariner is a touring and session guitarist in Nashville, TN, who has blazed his own trail by focusing on harder-edged playing and tones in a town mainly known for twang.
In part 2 of our Truetone Lounge episode with Ryan Wariner, we look at some of his favorite pieces of gear.
Scott Bernard is a respected touring and recording guitarist who has spent the last 8-years touring with pop icon Kenny Loggins. In our Truetone Lounge interview, we cover his early years, his move to Tennessee, and how he established himself as a working guitarist in Music City. Bernard also demonstrates his Melancon guitar, his touring pedal board, and the proper way to play the guitar parts for "Footloose."
Truetone Lounge Episode #2 included some great guitar work that had to be chopped down for running time reasons. here are the guitar demo clips from Episode 2 as well as footage that never made the final cut. Enjoy!
In Part 1 of our Truetone Lounge interview with Shawn Tubbs, we cover his early years, how he established himself as a session guitarist in Los Angeles, and his appearances with the Stone Temple Pilots on MTV's Unplugged and NBC's Saturday Night Live. Tubbs also discusses how a red-eye flight to Nashville led him to touring with Country Music Superstar Carrie Underwood.
In Part 2 of our Truetone Lounge interview with Shawn Tubbs, we discuss his touring with Carrie Underwood, and how his gear has changed over the past 10-years to meet the tonal and logistical demands of the gig. Shawn also talks about his gear demos, and his thoughts as he contemplates making a guitar-focused solo record. Tubbs also goes through his grab-and-go pedal board and demonstrates his Suhr Classic Antique guitar.
J.D. Simo has been recognized by Rolling Stone, Guitar Player, Premier Guitar, and Vintage Guitar Magazine as one of the finest young rock guitarists of his generation. In Part 1 of our Truetone Lounge interview with J.D. Simo, we cover his musically eclectic journey from Chicago to Nashville, and how he came to form his trio, Simo.
In Part 3, J.D. talks about his long love of the Fender Telecaster and demonstrates the 1955 Telecaster that he currently tours with. We finish out part 3 with his prized 1960 Les Paul nicknamed "Candy."
In Part 2 with J.D. Simo, we delve into his trio, and his thoughts as they begin working on their next album. We also dive headfirst into his gear, beginning with his recent switch from Plexi Marshalls to mid 60's blackface Fender amps, and touch on his love for lesser-known combos such as the Epiphone Futura, and the Traynor YGM. We end the episode spotlighting Simo's 1962 ES-335, affectionately known as "Red," and the basis for two recent signature models from Gibson Custom.
JD Simo returns to the Truetone Lounge to talk about his forthcoming blues album and his work with Phil Lesh and Friends. Along the way, Simo discusses some of his favorite blues players demonstrating many of their playing styles for good measure.
Steve Gibson is one of the most recorded guitarists in the world, having played on over 200 # 1 singles across a variety of musical genres.
Steve Wariner’s crazy musical odyssey is filled with characters with names like Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Reggie Young, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Mark O'Connor, and many others that are either titans or demigods of the music world. In our Truetone Lounge interview, Steve discusses all of the musical giants above, while also taking us from his early years in Indiana, all the way to commercial and artistic success all over the world.
Stu G is one of the most influential guitarists in the history of modern Christian/Worship music. His band, Delirious?, completely changed the sound and direction of Christian music in the mid-1990s, and their indelible stamp is still felt to this day. In our Truetone Lounge interview, Stu takes us through his early years, to Delirious?, and how they toured with rock and pop bands, even sharing many bills with Bon Jovi. Mr. Garrard explains the end of his band, and his rebirth as a solo artist, ...
