Luke McQueary - Don Kelley’s Last Hero - Ask Zac 145

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.
#askzac #donkelley #lukemcqueary

[@johnpandolfino8663]

Great interview.....this kids the real deal..... really enjoyed hearing him play ..... thanks for choosing to interview him Zac and bring him to light on KZbin

[@AskZac]

Thanks for listening

[@frankenstein4106]

What a cool, laid back guy and his telecaster playing is truly amazing! When he let's it rip on stage, it's a show within the show!!

[@ScottAnders62]

That's one hell of nice, good-hearted kid! And a monster guitar player!

[@liamneslind5708]

Cool haircut too

[@Jay-lr3me]

@@liamneslind5708 not sure about that but I agree with everything Scott said 😆

[@TheBryanBobby]

Luke’s story is really special. It’s a legendary story, and it’s almost hard to believe that in happened in today’s world. His playing is unreal. He looks completely free up on stage.

[@drewbybee4074]

Got to see Kelley's Hero's a couple months ago. Such an incredible band, and Luke is a very humble, class-act.

[@speachy2151]

I can agree

[@Sealevelsounds1]

I moved to Nashville in late 2016. I'll never forget wandering down Broadway one night, and stopping in front of Robert's Western World, wondering who or what on earth was creating such an ungodly sound. I think Luke had his Tele slung up behind his head, ripping out an incredible solo for Ghost Riders. I was floored. Luke's Telecaster, through that old cranked Deluxe, bouncing off the walls at Roberts, is a sound I'll never forget. And Luke is such a humble, talented guy. I had the good fortune to spend some time with him, hunting amps and guitars and such. Luke, keep doing what you do! And y'all, Zac is not kidding. Go see him play. You will not regret it.

[@frankhuyler3751]

This kid is the best guitar player I have ever seen live. He is an absolute virtuoso, just amazing. He could easily be cocky an so on, but instead he's obviously a sweet and humble guy. He should be aiming higher-- much higher-- than Robert's Western World

[@johnverheyen812]

Finally made my way to Robert's Western World last Friday on Broadway to see Kelley's Heroes and Luke McQueary. The only way I was made aware of this jewel was through Ask Zac when he posted this video. I could not have been more impressed. Thanks Zac and awesome playing Luke! Your partners in crime, Joe and Billy were awesome too!

[@robertplemmons3321]

Seems like a prince of a guy. Really happy for him. Much success in the future!

[@leftwrite]

Through your questions Luke did such an amazing job of explaining the depth of Don Kelley's influence all those years. Luke's spirit and humility is refreshing to witness. Plus he's a damn fine Tele man.

[@MusicBySJP]

Watching Kelley’s Heroes is an awesome experience, and this guy rounds it out. I’ve been to Nashville three times, and each time I’ve made it a point to see them at least once. The whole band is great, and Luke always comes up to my dad and I to say hi. The friendly people at RWW also let me sit right up next to the stage and watch, just like they did for Luke. Awesome to know this place hasn’t changed, and won’t for a long time!

[@keithpowell5336]

Just discovered this dude yesterday, and this interview came up this morning! He's got the magic and put in the work to create it! Funny thing, even though he primarily a country player, I could feel some SRV vibes watching the vidoes. I have been wanting to go back to Nashville for a while. I will definitely whatever Luke is doing at the time on my schedule.

[@michael_coast]

Love watching this man play. Love the band. Spent a lot of time watching them play at Roberts. Always a joy!

[@robertschultz7612]

Two things stand out with the kid …… A genuine humility not the fishing for compliments that is what passes for humility in the guitar community … Second a clear grasp and love of jazz/ swing concepts like Brent …… so refreshing in a young guy …… you proudly take the telecaster hero forward to a new generation …… keep up the good work… Also great interview Zak …… excellent questions…… thank you

[@JasonHobbsGuitarist]

This video made my day… 👌 I’ve been following Luke’s stuff for 2-3 years now, such an incredible player. I wish him nothing but the best, he seems like such a down to earth guy. I’m writing this as I’m still watching. His upbringing seems a lot like my upbringing, I can totally relate. When he speaks so proudly of his dad. My dad too showed me Folsom prison blues and I was hooked from there on. Luke’s such an inspiration to all young guitarist. Kids these days don’t realize that they have the world at their fingertips with KZbin, Luke took advantage of it. Very cool. He’s right though, focus on the feel and little things and you’ll become such a better player. If you’re reading Luke, all the best to you in the new year! You play like a star, look like a star and you’re going to be the next hottest guitarist the world will see. Run with it man! ✌️

[@gsmeeuwsen]

SOOOOO cool to hear how passionate and driven he was. This is how you chase your dreams.... And what a nice, humble young man!!!!

[@cletussea-ray944]

Luke is an absolute gem…thank you Zac

[@golfmanbil]

Met Luke at Robert's Western World this week. Super nice guy and one hell of a player. He laughed when I told him that I journeyed to Nashville after seeing a KZbin video that called him the best picker in Nashville :) My wife and I spent the entire evening listening to Kelly's Heroes. Super talented and great showmen.

[@999TheDaddy]

As soon as I discovered this guy I’ve been watching the band’s videos on KZbin every day. I’ve played guitar for nearly 30 years and this young man is really inspiring not only as a guitarist but seems a great lad as well.

[@acelightninja4970]

What a great interview, this was an invaluable insight into how people get gigs and the time invested into getting good at your craft. its not about the gear, its about the practice and the relationships you make, outstanding!

[@adamsmith5828]

This is by no means a criticism, but I look forward to Luke finding his own voice/thumbprint as a guitar player. I've been watching him play for years now and I hear so many other guitar players in his playing - which is natural. But, if you wanna be "one of the greats", that's what you must do. He seems like a real wholesome lad and carries himself very well. I'm absolutely sure he'll be there one day... He's still so young. Great interview as usual. 👏👏👏❤️

[@andrewboore3899]

What an amazing player and such a sweet soft-spoken guy. His story is really inspiring. Cheers from Nova Scotia!

[@AskZac]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ajlsrv5490]

Been watching some videos of him playing live. Mind boggling amounts of talent. Just brilliant.

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

SOOOO glad you did this. I did an interview with him for Guitar Player that was unfortunately one of the very few interviews that I have done that never made it to print. I was almost as disappointed as Luke.

[@AskZac]

I am sorry they didn't run it. I was wondering why nothing was out there yet on him.

[@MattaPhillipsmusic]

Saw Kelley’s heroes on Wednesday. It was the only planned show we had on the calendar for the week. Two hours of watching them tear it up, nothing else on broadway could even come close.

[@drewcaster]

Walked into RWW and I knew about Don Kelley Band but had no clue about Kelley’s Heroes. My wife got tired so I walked her back to the hotel then said I’m going back to see the rest of that set to watch Luke.

[@rockinredneck57]

Don decided to retire when Robert's was shut down due to covid. The guys decided to keep on playing and renamed themselves Kelly's Heroes in honor of Don. I think Don has retired in Fla. They are definitely smoking hot.

[@Austin18025]

What a nice guy. I got to see him play last fall. Was an absolute pleasure.

[@telekaster19991]

Only thing better than his playing is his humility. Very uncommon for a guy that talented and that young. Great interview Zack.

[@christaylor9446]

13:35… that’s something I really relate to. When I was just getting started learning Country, i had the same experience. I discovered Don Kelley Band thru my dad, also. Luke is one cool dude.

[@robertbrake9927]

I’ve met Luke and his family. They are great people and very blessed with great talent. This is great ,well deserved.

[@Fiddle_guy]

Great interview! RWW is pretty much the crossroads of the world. Luke is no small part of this. He's great! The trio is great! Absolutely wonderful!

[@davidangelstudios]

Best thing since moving to Nashville was discovering Kelley’s Heroes. And I got the chance to photograph Luke as well. Just the nicest young man you’ll ever meet.

[@paulbartell38]

Brilliant interview. Luke’s a class act. Fantastic work, all involved! ♥️🙏🏻💐🥂🎸🎵🎶🎼

[@AskZac]

Thanks so much!

[@deanbanks3392]

Thank you Zac for such an insightful interview of Luke. I'm 75, play several instruments, and I learned several things in the interview. Someone needs recognize Don Kelly''s career with a movie or documentary. Its important.

[@brooklynsoundgarage]

This is so wild, the one time I went to Nashville just to see some night time bar scene stuff I saw Kelley’s Heroes, never heard of any of them, never heard of Don, Fick, nothing. It was 2014 and Porter McClister was playing, totally inspirational performance in multiple ways. Had I not stepped in that bar for that hour or so I’d still be clueless to all of this, I got lucky.

[@JS-nf1sn]

Awesome interview. Thank you. I saw him play on KZbin a few years ago and it was immediately obvious that he was something special.

[@ronmercer7766]

Had the privilege of hearing Luke on 3 occasions the summer before covid. Great playing, feel and tone. Definitely walking on the path of giants.

[@Mysmichelle69]

Luke is an outstanding person. I cherish conversations ive had with him. This is wonderful.

[@reverbdeluxe]

Go to Nashville once or twice a year. Been fortunate enough to see Luke play once with Don and twice with Kelley's Heros! Makes me happy to see he's such a down to earth guy.

[@phillipasby9202]

Well that was just a delightful interview and a breath of fresh air to an old soul, What a charming and humble player! I'm now a fan and want to go see Kelley's Heroes!

[@johnmirabile3535]

ALL DONS GUYS THAT IVE SEEN ARE GOOD, BUT THERES SOMETHING ABOUT THIS KID AND HIS PLAYING, THAT HAS THAT THING....A THROWBACK FOR SURE....THE THUMB PICK, THE JACKET, LOVE IT..

[@ChristianLee.77]

Now we need a Joe Fick interview!! Thanks for the great content Zac!

[@roberthastings708]

Zac!!! You are a great interviewer!! Thank you. And what a great tag. I sometimes hesitate to give public thanks lest i forget someone. I always pick something up from you guys.

[@AskZac]

You are so welcome!

[@stevehobbs6686]

Thanks for having Luke on,great!

[@will4gzus]

Saw Luke with the Kelley band earlier this year in Nashville, he is pure fire on the guitar

[@chuckhawkins6905]

Really enjoyed the interview. I’ve been going to Nashville and to Robert’s for almost 20 years. Don Kelly always had the best tele players and he let them play. Luke is another one.

[@jimmyc5498]

Another great interview and loved the moma story taking him to 1:30am start and getting up 4am. That’s love.

[@Guitargate]

Luke is such a tremendous player. Please check him out.

[@alanpresford1606]

Superb interview. Luke is such an amazing player and brilliant to hear his story. So inspiring. Thanks

[@mike8610]

Kid is the real deal. If you're in Nashville W-Sat 630-10pm stop by Robert's on Broadway. I try to stop in once a month or so, love them.

[@roberthdahlquist]

(Heart emoji) Beautiful! Thanks to you both! I’d heard this young man play, but until now hadn‘t heard him interviewed. So cool....

[@JMLUSA1]

THANKS ZAC! Yet another interview I couldn't stop watching! You cover ALL the questions, and WELL! I see as I watch your videos I DON'T KNOW NUTHIN! lol, but Thanks to videos like these, I'm learning stuff! Lol! Great Interview!

[@timmychriss]

Great show Zac, that kid was fabulous when I saw him last spring. Is Billy van vliet related to captain beefheart?

[@rockinredneck57]

It's Van Fleet.

[@MezzMcGillicuddy1]

Amazeballs with awesome sauce!!

[@BobP99]

Awesome player, great story and interview!

[@AskZac]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jimcahill3476]

Great Interview.... Such a great guy... saw him and the band 2 months ago at the club... wonderful talent.

[@lroyako]

That thing about practising before bed is true. If you work on nailing something all day by the time you retire for the night you will have lost all perspective. When you wake up after a night sleep all that perspective comes back 10 fold. Its a great way to get things stuck in your head permanently....

[@stevejones2523]

Great interview - great guitarist. Very impressive young fella 👏🏻

[@AskZac]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@wadeknight9202]

I feel a little weird saying it but I look up to this kid so much and it was really cool to hear him explain a lot of things that actually help me a lot being able to go and slow down my stuff and learn how to play so thanks for doing this this has been one of my favorite videos you have done Love the Don Kelley as well

[@tommyallen6148]

Love this interview!!

[@benjaminhartley6578]

Bad ass! Thanks for making it. How do I buy that custom shop?

[@AskZac]

Through a Fender dealer

[@learningguitarmwl3223]

Thanks Zac, I've learned so much about our great pickers in this world , truly inspiring .

[@AskZac]

My pleasure!

[@Strumbum01]

Wonderful interview, Zac! Luke is a fabulous picker for sure, and very humble.

[@vibhormishra6203]

Hi Zac, I love your content. Could you please share you knowledge about the current tele models in market offered by Fender. There are a ton of models. If you could share your thoughts on current American or Japanese ones. It would be interesting to see which one you prefer. This would also help me in narrowing down my choices to get my first tele. Thanks and happy new year,2023.

[@AskZac]

Get a road worn

[@robertbrake9927]

Ive had the honor of seeing Luke , Scott McQueary , Rickie Mann,Terri Wariner , and Jeremy Edwards playing together. All of them are outstanding people and musicians. Luke isn’t done yet . I believe his journey with his guitar is just getting started 😎👍🏼

[@AB-iv2pg]

Great interview, great player! Now time to make a video on Lindy Fralin blues specials!😂

[@saltwatersaddletramp7229]

Wow, I really enjoyed his story and his playing. His Custom Shop Thinline is so cool.

[@AskZac]

We agree!

[@haint7709]

Authentic. Thanks for this one Zac and Luke.

[@julianmetcalfe1070]

WOW brilliant sweet tones from a very young man very impressive ,super nice interview , been looking for a Telecaster ,i play strats mostly had good Gibsons but always like a moth to light love Fender sounds, thank you

[@johntaylor2190]

Awesome stuff. Great interview and playing. Thanks Zac and best wishes for Christmas and New Year 👍

[@AskZac]

Happy New Year!!

[@timtompkins6752]

A real deal, salt of the earth young guitar slinger, earning his place amongst the haughty hipster carpetbagger’s who’re going to change ole Nashville. Good going Luke!

[@kylekilduff8233]

Thanks so much for all the videos! Love the idea of featuring more Broadway players….James Mitchell, Gabe Tonon, William Bagby, etc

[@jimbeaux4988]

This is the combination of genetics, environment and internal determination that produces a REAL Nashville cat.

[@billtice5057]

Luv me some Don Kelley! 😂 Beautiful stories, thanks for sharing Luke. Fantastic interview!

[@AskZac]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ronnieking1025]

Great Show Zac and Luke Luke i heard the tune called hold it in that neck postion

[@johnmirabile3535]

I HAVE TO LEAVE ANOTHER COMMENT, AT 42 I FEEL I CAN SAY THIS, BESIDES BEING A FANTASTIC PLAYER....IF I HAD A SON? IN THIS DAY AND AGE, ID WANT HIM TO BE JUST LIKE LUKE..MR AND MRS MCQUERY DID A HELL OF A JOB WITH THIS YOUNG MAN..WATCHING THIS KID, MADE ME THINK ABOUT HAVING A SON...WHEN, JUST YESTERDAY I WAS SAYING WHAT A TERRIBLE TIME IT IS TO HAVE A KID....THINGS ARE JUST SO DIFFERENT TODAY...THE THOUGHT A BRINGING A KID UP IS SCARY....ANYWAY, WHAT A GEM!

[@kevindean1327]

I like this kid! Great interview Zac!!!

[@jenningswolfe6504]

Great interview - Luke is amazing!

[@Online_ToughGuy]

This guy absolutely slays Ghost Riders

[@rockinredneck57]

He's a Jack Pearson fan. That made me pay closer attention to Luke! Jack is mostly unknown but one of the hottest players in any genre of music. If I wasn't a fan of Luke before, I certainly am now.

[@rjkf5l89]

This was totally awesome thanks guys for doing this! What ohm for the speaker on the vintage for the deluxe reverb, the 8 or 16?

[@AskZac]

8

[@gentleman2035]

Luke is so beautiful.

[@harolddavidson3764]

love this kid

[@ShawnTubbs]

Fantastic player!!

[@AskZac]

Indeed! Thanks, Shawn

[@teleclasster]

Zac, what brand of thumbpick does he use? He mentioned it somewhere but I can't find it again. Thx

[@AskZac]

Yellow Kelley thumbpick

[@245JD]

Fantastic

[@AskZac]

Thank you so much 😀

[@louisdombrowski4198]

Enjoyed the conversation immensely, a lot of down to earth talking. I always seamed to play guitar better when my wife tells me to do chores. I just want to play far as long as I can €;-)

[@stevie6423]

Watch him play Ghost Riders in the Sky …. You can’t unhear that. Wow

[@rockinredneck57]

Watch him play Devil Went Down to Georgia. That'll blow your mind.

[@markdeweese9288]

Great advice

[@jonnybeck6723]

Hey (!) is that scratch plate on Luke's Thinline bein' held down with spit (?) ('cause there ain't no screws, leastwise that I kin spy...)

[@1man1guitarletsgo]

There's nothing underneath it that needs to be accessed, so I assume it's glued on, like they do with acoustic guitars. I don't think I've ever seen that with electric guitars before though.

[@toddhaynes1249]

Seen the kid live a few years back and got his signature and Kelly’s album!

[@toddhaynes1249]

His playin is unreal!

[@toddhaynes1249]

Ghost riders!

[@Gtrmanify]

Classy young man.

[@tonyshoe3131]

Zac,, when you said "practice before bed"........ so... true. at least w/me.

[@SniqrsFFA]

HAHA me and my cousin wanted to be WWE wrestlers when we were kids too, we would have it out on the living room floor at my grandparents house lol

[@gregmize01]

It's absurd how many guitar players injected in the lexicon of incredible pickers!🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@vayabroder729]

Cool guy; great dresser too; looks a little like Elvis….👍👍👍

[@kevindean1327]

He's got hair this old bald mofo would sure like to have!!!

[@crucifixgym]

I wish there was a Don Kelley of metal, the closest thing we have is Ozzy.

[@JS-nf1sn]

The Brad Pitt/Don Johnson guitar hero. Killer player.

[@LuisSilva-yu6ty]

👏👏👍

[@lonniezamarripa959]

Is he a Hank Garland fan?

[@AskZac]

Most likely