Truetone Lounge

In the latest Truetone Lounge, Kirk Fletcher shares the influences and experiences that have shaped him into one of the great modern bluesmen. Along the way, Fletcher recounts the thrills of gigging with blues greats like Charlie Musselwhite, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and of the challenges and rewards of launching a solo career. Kirk also clues us in to how he dials in his sterling tones using a 1950’s Telecaster, 3 pedals on the floor, and a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp. His upbeat manner and stellar playing will keep you smiling until the very end.

Kenny Greenberg is equal parts session man, producer, songwriter, and touring pro. In our Truetone Lounge interview, we look at his multi-faceted career, and how he has continued to make his mark in Music City since his arrival in 1978. Along the way, Greenberg shows his appreciation for Richard Bennett and Tony Brown, two Nashville heavyweights who had a weighty impact on his career, and how his session work with Kenny Chesney eventually resulted in him playing live with him in stadiums across the USA. He also shares some important playing concepts, and how he navigates the give and take of playing with another guitarist in the studio. We close out with Kenny covering some of his main guitars, amps, and pedals that he uses both live and in the studio.

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 he met Rosanne Cash and began a collaboration that began musically and culminated in marriage.

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 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.

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

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 guitarist in 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.

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 television show, and we go in-depth about his favorite guitars, effects, and amps.

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 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

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 looks for in a Tele, and his working relationships with both Grammatico amps, and Durham Electronics effects.

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.

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 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.

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 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, helps to keep his musical ideas fresh and vital. https://truetonelounge.com https://truetone.com

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 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.