Chris Scruggs

Truetone LoungeChris Scruggs is the host of his own WSM radio show that runs on Friday nights after the Grand Ole Opry, fronts his own band, The Stone Fox Five, and is a member of the white-hot group backing Marty Stuart, The Fabulous Superlatives. He is also a busy session man with everyone from up-and-comers to hitmakers Kacey Musgraves &amp; Sierra Ferrell, and more recently, he was the youngest member inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame.  In today's episode, Scruggs tells his own story and, along the way, shares plenty of country music lore and spotlights 4 of his favorite guitars, a 1962 Telecaster, a 50s Fender double-neck steel, a 1959 Martin D-18, and a 1938 Gibson L5.

Truetone Lounge Chris Scruggs is the host of his own WSM radio show that runs on Friday nights after the Grand Ole Opry, fronts his own band, The Stone Fox Five, and is a member of the white-hot group backing Marty Stuart, The Fabulous Superlatives. He is also a busy session man with everyone from up-and-comers to hitmakers Kacey Musgraves &amp; Sierra Ferrell, and more recently, he was the youngest member inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. In today's episode, Scruggs tells his own story and, along the way, shares plenty of country music lore and spotlights 4 of his favorite guitars, a 1962 Telecaster, a 50s Fender double-neck steel, a 1959 Martin D-18, and a 1938 Gibson L5.

Truetone Lounge - Chris Scruggs

Luke McQueary was Don Kelley's final guitarist in his long line of amazing players. Today we sit down and talk about his beginnings and the importance of Don's tutelage in his progression as a musician and performer. Though Don Kelley is now retired, the tradition lives on with Kelley's Heroes Wednesday through Saturday, 6:30 -10:30 PM at Robert's Western World. Luke also shows off his rig which includes a specially ordered Custom Shop Telecaster Thinline, vintage Deluxe Reverb, and a small pedalboard.

Luke McQueary | Truetone Lounge

Don Kelley

A short list of the veterans of Don Kelley's band includes Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert, Johnny Hiland, Guthrie Trapp, JD Simo, Daniel Donato, Porter McClister, and Luke McQueary. Kelley was bandleader and coach for these giants, helping each of them hone their playing and tone by playing 5-6 days of the week, 4 hours a night, under his watchful eye.As important as these players and their stories are, today we get to hear Don's story of growing up in Texas, serving in Vietnam, moving to Nashville to play with Joe Stampley, and how he came to lead his band and guide the careers of some of the finest guitarists in the world.

A short list of the veterans of Don Kelley's band includes Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert, Johnny Hiland, Guthrie Trapp, JD Simo, Daniel Donato, Porter McClister, and Luke McQueary. Kelley was bandleader and coach for these giants, helping each of them hone their playing and tone by playing 5-6 days of the week, 4 hours a night, under his watchful eye. As important as these players and their stories are, today we get to hear Don's story of growing up in Texas, serving in Vietnam, moving to Nashville to play with Joe Stampley, and how he came to lead his band and guide the careers of some of the finest guitarists in the world.

Don Kelley - Truetone Lounge

An unseen star of Baz Luhrmann's Elvis movie is guitarist JD Simo, who was tasked with replicating the original parts and tones played by Scotty Moore, James Burton, Hank Garland, Reggie Young, and Tommy Tedesco. In today's special collaboration with Ask Zac, we sit down with Simo, as he tells the tale of how he was asked to take part, and the gear he used to replicate the legendary guitarist's riffs. We also take a look at his soon-to-be-released album Songs From The House Of Grease. Recorded with his trio, the album features his recently acquired Danocaster Singel-Cut, along with an ancient Alamo amp and a venerable 1965 Deluxe Reverb. Simo also shows off his new Xact Tone Solutions built pedal board.

An unseen star of Baz Luhrmann's Elvis movie is guitarist JD Simo, who was tasked with replicating the original parts and tones played by Scotty Moore, James Burton, Hank Garland, Reggie Young, and Tommy Tedesco. In today's special collaboration with Ask Zac, we sit down with Simo, as he tells the tale of how he was asked to take part, and the gear he used to replicate the legendary guitarist's riffs. We also take a look at his soon-to-be-released album Songs From The House Of Grease. Recorded with his trio, the album features his recently acquired Danocaster Singel-Cut, along with an ancient Alamo amp and a venerable 1965 Deluxe Reverb. Simo also shows off his new Xact Tone Solutions built pedal board.

Truetone Lounge - JD SIMO - ELVIS Movie Guitarist

David Hood

During David Hood's 50-plus-year career, he has played on more hits than just about any other bassist on the planet. From Bob Seger to Wilson Picket, and Rod Stewart to the Staple Singers, Hood provided the bass lines for countless Pop, Rock, and R&amp;B hits that we all know and love. Many of us became aware of David through the beautifully made Muscle Shoals documentary from 2013, which focuses on the story of Rick Hall and his former proteges, the Swampers. Here, David, the last of the Swampers sits down with us at his former home away from home, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, to lay down his own story.

David Hood - Truetone Lounge

Russ Pahl

Russ Pahl is one of the busiest guitarists and pedal steelers in Nashville, with credits ranging from Robert Plant to Carrie Underwood. He is a multi-instrumentalist, who moves between both instruments and musical genres in such a fluid manner, that he is just at home playing lead guitar with Dan Auerbach on Austin City Limits, as he is playing hardcore country pedal steel in Vince Gill's touring unit. In our Truetone Lounge interview, Russ covers his career, what he feels has kept him in demand over the last 30-years, and his highly customized guitar and pedal steel rig.#truetonelounge #truetone #russpahl

Russ Pahl is one of the busiest guitarists and pedal steelers in Nashville, with credits ranging from Robert Plant to Carrie Underwood. He is a multi-instrumentalist, who moves between both instruments and musical genres in such a fluid manner, that he is just at home playing lead guitar with Dan Auerbach on Austin City Limits, as he is playing hardcore country pedal steel in Vince Gill's touring unit. In our Truetone Lounge interview, Russ covers his career, what he feels has kept him in demand over the last 30-years, and his highly customized guitar and pedal steel rig. #truetonelounge #truetone #russpahl

Russ Pahl - Truetone Lounge

Carl Rydlund

Carl Rydlund is the guitarist you are hearing on many of the movies you have watched over the last 20-years. Major films he has worked on with famed film composer, Hans Zimmer, all feature Carl's guitar work. Today we sit down with one of the soundtrack kings, who recently moved to Nashville to continue his film work, and to take a teaching position at the renowned music-focused Belmont University. In our interview, Rydlund discusses his musical upbringing, his move to Los Angeles, and how his work as a copyist and guitarist on Hanna-Barbera cartoons turned into the soundtrack work that has defined him over the last 20-years. Rydlund also shares very practical advice for those wanting to get into soundtrack work, and also takes a very sensible look at gear, and what one actually needs to get the job done.

Carl Rydlund - Truetone Lounge

Kenny Vaughan

Kenny Vaughan is the perpetually calm and composed guitar slinger that is just as at home touring with Marty Stuart as he is fronting his trio in a club or recording in a studio with the likes of everyone from Lucinda Williams to the Pretenders. With an extensive background in rock, punk, country, and jazz, Vaughan brings a seemingly never-ending bag of tricks to every musical situation he participates in. In our Truetone Lounge, we drill down as to how he seamlessly moves between various genres, how he has held his gig with Marty Stuart for over 20 years, and his seemingly utilitarian view on gear.

Truetone Lounge | Kenny Vaughan

Lindy Fralin

In today's Truetone Lounge interview with Lindy Fralin, the pickup man shares how repairs and rewinding in the 1980s led to the creation of his own pickups and how he eventually earned his current position as one of the industry leaders in both vintage replicas and groundbreaking original designs.

Lindy Fralin - Truetone Lounge

Jason Lollar

Jason Lollar is one of the premier pickup makers in the world, and even wrote a book on the basics of winding, and how to turn your mother's sewing machine into the perfect winder. In our Truetone Lounge interview, Jason takes us through his schooling at the Roberto-Venn School of Lutherie, and how he transitioned from guitar builder to pickup winder for many of the great guitar builders of today. Lollar also reveals the R&amp;D that is involved in birthing new pickup designs, and how his work has influenced an entire generation of winders.

Jason Lollar - Truetone Lounge

In-depth interviews with working guitarists and other musicians. Studio &amp; Touring players (and their gear) are highlighted in all Truetone Lounge interviews.

Jimmy Olander

Jimmy Olander's opening lick on Diamond Rio's "Meet In The Middle," let the listener know that they were about to hear something new. His double-bender meets banjo fingerstyle sensibilities created a singular sound that would lead off most of the band's hits over the next 3 decades. Today, we sit down with Jimmy in his home studio and get the full story of his climb from out-of-work banjo player, to double bender Tele man with multi-platinum success. Jimmy also gives us the inside scoop on his Joe Glaser-built Telecaster style guitars, and how he began using Matchless amps.

Jimmy Olander - Truetone Lounge

Truetone Lounge | Ron EllisRon Ellis, fueled by his love of great tone, and enabled by his background as a scientist, broke the code and began producing some of the most vintage authentic electric guitar pickups a little over a decade ago. Via his thorough research and analysis of working and broken vintage pickups, he discovered both the recipe and the proper ingredients to replicate various eras of holy-grail winds. Soon, he was breaking those rules to create modern interpretations to meet the very specific tonal demands of virtuoso players such as Julian Lage, Brad Paisley, and Josh Smith. In Today’s Truetone Lounge, we get his back story and all of the serendipitous turns that led to his involvement in The Blackguard Book and to eventually becoming one of the great modern pickup winders.

Truetone Lounge | Ron Ellis Ron Ellis, fueled by his love of great tone, and enabled by his background as a scientist, broke the code and began producing some of the most vintage authentic electric guitar pickups a little over a decade ago. Via his thorough research and analysis of working and broken vintage pickups, he discovered both the recipe and the proper ingredients to replicate various eras of holy-grail winds. Soon, he was breaking those rules to create modern interpretations to meet the very specific tonal demands of virtuoso players such as Julian Lage, Brad Paisley, and Josh Smith. In Today’s Truetone Lounge, we get his back story and all of the serendipitous turns that led to his involvement in The Blackguard Book and to eventually becoming one of the great modern pickup winders.

Ron Ellis | Truetone Lounge

Ray Flacke

We had tons of comments on Ray's first episode, and additional questions posted, so we followed up with a second spot with Ray. In this episode, he talks about his playing style, gigging with the Everly Brothers because he "needed the money," interviewing Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore, and his acoustic instrumental recordings, including his take on Paganini's 5th Caprice.

Ray Flacke - A Follow Up Conversation

Steuart Smith

Steuart Smith is best known for having toured with the Eagles for the last 20 years, and for co-producing their "Long Road Out of Eden" album. His story begins long before in the Washington DC club scene, then expanding to the national scene through a band showcase for Colombia Record's Senior VP of A&amp;R, Rick Chertoff. This led to collaborations with Rodney Crowell and Rosanne Cash on top-selling and award-winning albums, tours and production work with Shawn Colvin, and sessions with everyone from Vince Gill to Joni Mitchell. In our 2-hour interview, we cover his entire career as a session man, producer, touring sideman, and his ongoing role with the Eagles. We also cover his gear through the years, including what he currently uses on the road with the Eagles.

Steuart Smith - Truetone Lounge - 2021 Quaratine Edition

Dan Strain

Danocaster Guitars is one of the most beloved and in-demand small-shop builders, yet next to nothing is known about Dan Strain and his small team that builds solid-bodies in Nashville, TN. After much prodding, Dan finally agreed to sit down and tell us about himself, his team, and the chain of events that led to the formation of Danocaster Guitars.

Dan Strain (Danocaster Guitars) Truetone Lounge - Quarantine Edition

Elliot Easton

Elliot Easton's well-constructed solos with The Cars were integral to their hits and were in many ways mini compositions within the songs. In our Truetone Lounge, we dive into how the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame member constructed those solos, and look deeply into the recording process of those seminal albums. Easton also thoroughly contrasts the producing styles of Roy Thomas Baker (Queen) and Mutt Lang (Def Leppard, AC/DC) on the various Car's albums and the hard work, and eye for detail that both producers shared. He also discusses his involvement with Gibson, Kramer signature models, and his custom orders with John Page that influenced the creation of the Fender Custom Shop in 1985. Elliot also discusses having Ringo Starr play on a track for The Empty Hearts, his supergroup that includes members from the Romantics, and Blondie.

Elliot Easton - Truetone Lounge - 2021 Quarantine Edition

TruetoneLounge | Ray FlackeWe are so honored to have one of the all-time Telecaster greats, Ray Flacke, sit down with us to tell his story, after a long season of staying under the radar. Those not familiar with him should know that Flacke's influence runs deep on just about any player willing to pick up a Tele and play with gusto. With equal parts Ritchie Blackmore, Chet Atkins, and Roy Nichols, Flacke grabbed everyone's attention by the collar with his aggressive and staccato guitar work on the back-to-basics radio hits of Ricky Skaggs of the early to mid-1980s. After his stint with Ricky, he moved on to session work, and a return to touring with Marty Stuart in the early 90s, and the Jamie Hartford Band in the late 90s to early 2000s. After a stint out of the music limelight, Ray has a new passion, writing. He has just published a children's book entitled "The Boy Who Would Be Birds," and is in the process of completing his tongue-in-cheek autobiography, 'Kin 'Ell, Fired Again. Flacke also discusses his gear through the years, and how he has used super glue to save his right-hand nails, and baby powder on the neck of his guitar for left-hand precision.To order his children's book, send an email to rayflackenhauser@protonmail.com

TruetoneLounge | Ray Flacke We are so honored to have one of the all-time Telecaster greats, Ray Flacke, sit down with us to tell his story, after a long season of staying under the radar. Those not familiar with him should know that Flacke's influence runs deep on just about any player willing to pick up a Tele and play with gusto. With equal parts Ritchie Blackmore, Chet Atkins, and Roy Nichols, Flacke grabbed everyone's attention by the collar with his aggressive and staccato guitar work on the back-to-basics radio hits of Ricky Skaggs of the early to mid-1980s. After his stint with Ricky, he moved on to session work, and a return to touring with Marty Stuart in the early 90s, and the Jamie Hartford Band in the late 90s to early 2000s. After a stint out of the music limelight, Ray has a new passion, writing. He has just published a children's book entitled "The Boy Who Would Be Birds," and is in the process of completing his tongue-in-cheek autobiography, 'Kin 'Ell, Fired Again. Flacke also discusses his gear through the years, and how he has used super glue to save his right-hand nails, and baby powder on the neck of his guitar for left-hand precision. To order his children's book, send an email to rayflackenhauser@protonmail.com

Ray Flacke | Truetone Lounge | 2021 Quarantine Edition

Rick Holmstrom

Rick Holmstrom is an esteemed blues artist with a new solo album, See That Light, releasing on February 26th. Besides his esteemed solo work, he is also the bandleader and guitarist for legendary Gospel/R&amp;B singer, Mavis Staples. In our Lounge interview, we cover how he got the Mavis gig at the urging of Ry Cooder, the low down on his new solo album, and an amazing walk-through of his favorite guitars including his 1953 Telecaster, Harmony Stratotone, and Danelectro double cutaway.

Truetone Lounge - Rick Holmstrom

Jim Campilongo

Jim Campilongo is one of the finest Telecaster players of the modern era. On his many great albums, Jim brings his beautifully unique approach to everything from honky-tonk, to jazz. In our Truetone Lounge discussion, we cover everything from his history as a player, inspirations, to his current practice regimen. We also could not help but talk of his love for late 50s Telecasters and Princeton Reverb amps.

Arlen Roth

Famed Guitarist, and groundbreaking guitar educator, Arlen Roth, is our guest for the latest Truetone Lounge. We cover his touring days with John Prine, Phoebe Snow, and Simon &amp; Garfunkel, and how his side hustle as a guitar teacher transitioned into authoring books. Those books turned to audiotapes, and then after his work with Ralph Macchio on the movie Crossroads, he turned to guitar instructional videos. The Hot Licks videos that were made from the mid-1980s through the 90s featured an amazing assortment of guitarists, from Andy Summers to Cornell Dupree. Roth continues to record and perform, and we discuss his recent Tele-Masters album, and what's on the horizon for him.

Zac is definitely one of the top“Guitar Guru’s” of all time, and with the online guitarist community and a great interviewer to boot. Always leaving the audience with a fun and fulfilling interview with the amazing behind the scenes players everyone has heard of or read about, and gives his audience a front row candid view that has yet to be seen. 👍👍

Always a treat to tune in!!!

Perfect format with a great interviews by Zack Childs!

Outstanding and In-depth Interviews

Truetone Lounge

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