Truetone Lounge

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, and sideman/collaborator with Michael W. Smith. We also get a walk through his impressive collection of favorite guitars, amps, and his pedalboard with a massive array of tonal choices.

In this Truetone Lounge episode, we speak with Todd Sharp, veteran guitarist and more recently, acclaimed amp builder. In part one, we speak with Sharp about his working musician family and teenage gigs in the 60's, to working up to being a high-profile sideman with Hall & Oats, Mick Fleetwood, and Bob Welch in the 1970's. He also shares the enviable experience of writing with Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie for her self-titled 1984 release, and the thrill of recording with Eric Clapton.

This is part 1 of a 3 part video series with Todd Sharp. Be sure to look for future episodes!

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In today's Truetone Lounge Quarantine Edition, we sit down with the great jazz/solo guitarist and educator, Tim Lerch. A key member of the modern Tele-Jazz cats, Tim talks tone, and how he gets a jazz sound from solid-body guitars. Along the way, we discuss his time at GIT, and the private lessons he had with two legendary players, Lenny Breau, and Ted Greene. We also spotlight his new Truefire series on both chord melody work, "Solo Jazz Pathways," and his comping/soloing lessons entitled "Jazz/Blues Pathways."

Part 3 with Todd Sharp delves into why he started Todd Sharp Amplifiers, and what sets his JOAT 20RT amp apart from other designs. Todd also walks us through the features and tones of the JOAT 20RT using his 1959 Stratocaster, '56 Les Paul, and his funky "tuned down" El Dorado.

In Part 2 of our Truetone Lounge interview with Todd Sharp, we take a look at his 1986 solo album for MCA, Who Am I, and his days playing stadium gigs with Rod Stewart using a pair of 150-watt custom Dumble amp heads. We also cover Todd's move to Nashville, roadwork with Carlene Carter, Delbert McClinton, and Richard Marx, and how he transitioned into Nashville's amplifier guru to the stars.

Tom Hemby is a highly respected touring and studio guitarist based in Nashville, TN. His hard work, talent, and versatility equipped him to work with Amy Grant, Vince Gill and Wynonna on the road, and musical icons Michael McDonald, Cliff Richard, Glen Campbell, Kenny Loggins, Peter Cetera, and many others in the studio. In our Truetone Lounge interview, we tell his story from rural Missouri to stages and studios across the globe. Additionally, Tom graciously shares some golden advice for the aspiring musician and talks about his jazz/fusion band that includes drumming legend Keith Carlock. Hemby also talks gear and demonstrates his pedalboard and his two favorite guitars, a 90's Custom Shop Fender Stratocaster, and a vintage 1959 Gibson ES-355.

Tyler Chiarelli is one of the finest young guitarists in Nashville today, who has quickly assimilated the chops, gear, and attitude that are necessary to make it here in Music City. In Our Truetone Lounge interview, Tyler takes us from his beginnings as a drummer, how he shifted to guitar, the tale of Tom Bukovac convincing him to move to Nashville, the lessons learned from getting fired from gigs, and all the many takeaways from touring with a major act, and appearing on television. We also cover Chiarelli's gear that includes a 1959 ES-335 and 1959 Fender Deluxe, Senn Pomona, Les Paul, Ebo Verb, and an XTS built pedalboard.

Will McFarlane is one of the creators and torch bearers of the Muscle Shoals sound. He was recognized for this by his induction into the Musicians Hall of Fame as one of the Swampers in 2008. In our Truetone Lounge interview, we cover the impact his family had on his musicianship, his rise to fame as a sideman with Bonnie Raitt in the ’70s, his time spent in L.A. doing session work, and his move to Muscle Shoals in 1980. McFarlane continues to perform and record in Northern Alabama and is the defacto musical ambassador for Muscle Shoals.

Xact Tone Solutions is at the forefront of the musician service industry offering flexible pedalboard and rack builds, highly sophisticated system integrations for the biggest touring acts, and a full-line of tonally rich pedals. In our Truetone Lounge interview, we sit down with owner/founder Greg Walton, to discuss the beginnings of XTS and some of their guiding philosophies. We then add chief engineer Barry O’Neal to get a bit more technical and have him walk us through the process of a rig build.