Jerry McPherson | Truetone Lounge

In our Truetone Lounge interview with session guitarist Jerry McPherson, we look at his beginnings in Texas, early tours and sessions with Amy Grant, and his transition to his current position as a full-time and in-demand session player. We also look at his favorite session tools, and his patented robot arm, that at the touch of a button, moves a set of microphones to various cabinets in Jerry's amp isolation room. But this episode is about so much more than his bio and gear. It is packed with Jerry's insights on playing parts, how to use effects, and how to keep a listener engaged throughout the course of a song. This episode is pure gold for the aspiring session guitarist.

[@ebeep]

This may be 2018's best 2 hours of KZbin.

[@TruetoneFX]

Thanks! Please help us by sharing this, and subscribing. Zac

[@jerrymcp]

You are very kind.

[@hosoiarchives4858]

Easily

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

What a great video. Jerry was really ahead of the curve with his rig ideas.

[@TruetoneFX]

Definitely!

[@JordanSheppardMusic]

I got to work with Jerry this week. Not only is he the cleanest player I've ever jammed with, but he is friggin' hilarious too. He made the whole session so much easier.

[@TruetoneFX]

Cool!

[@mikemcgraw2101]

This was an incredible interview. The amp room and the servos!? WOW.

[@TruetoneFX]

It completely blew our minds! Zac

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Great job Zac. Your knowledge of players and recording enables you to touch base with these great players on a really insightful level. I love how this series ties the gear and the thought processes and techniques all together. It's what I've wanted to watch for years.

[@TruetoneFX]

Grant, thank you so much! The whole team works hard to make these as insightful and entertaining as we can make them. Jerry is just so funny, and so free with his knowledge. One of our faves! Zac

[@Scratch_Monsters_Golf]

Grant Ferstat I agree 100%. Love the format of these uploads. No filler. No bullshit. Just the things that real players care about and want to hear. Well done Truetone 👏 👏 👏

[@danross146]

Jerry could double in stand up comedy! What a great guy and he's HILARIOUS!!! Great guest!

[@MatthewDavidMontgomery]

I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve watched this interview. Thanks for putting these together!

[@goswo]

Again again again. I live in a country with a history and culture that goes wayyyyy back. Every time Im in US I clearly notice its a young country - BUT when it comes to music you have roots that goes sooo deep. Not sure why, but its soo clear - at least to me. I am always blown away by the level of musical foundation. Proven again 😀

[@tdanco]

Man, you really do your homework! As always, a great, comprehensive interview.

[@TruetoneFX]

I appreciate that!

[@RobbieBolog]

My new favorite interview y’all have done - and they’re all great. Jerry is just on another level. All the gadgets you could want, genius workflow, but a monster player first and foremost. Everything he noodles sounds like a record. Super inspiring guys. Thanks for the work documenting these killer players.

[@TruetoneFX]

I must admit, it was one of my favorites too. Zac

[@bobbaumeister5243]

Unique, as Jerry shares insights from his experiences. Through this encounter, I've learned so much about the variety of guitars as never before. Thank you to Jerry and the great format Truetone!

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you, Bob. Zac

[@SweetSpotSC]

This series is so amazing and insightful. Better than any podcast or tv show. Thank you so much Zac!

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you! You can help us get the word out by sharing it. Zac

[@g_and_kikos_studio]

Wow Jerry has some of the coolest stuff I've ever seen in a studio. Great player too...😎🎸

[@mobobb3555]

Thank you Jerry. You demonstrate that those with the correct attitude coupled with the correct ability and correct TOOLS will always find work in their chosen field.

[@jakemitchell1671]

What a great series, and what a great time to be a musician! I grew up in the '70s when there was NO MEDIA at all that featured the musicians we admired other than some trade magazines and a few promotional things put out by the record companies. I didn't even know what a lot of my favorite musicians looked like! Young folks cannot even relate to how it was then. Here I am, 53 years old, still addicted to playing guitar, and I can sit for TWO HOURS and watch and learn from an absolute MASTER! How Ef'ing cool is that?????

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you, Jake. Zac

[@highcourtcounty6389]

His amp mic setup is amazing. Love how excited he is to share it with us. Also the part about how to build a song and keep listeners from not turning the station was really insightful.

[@TruetoneFX]

He really laid it on us. Such a gift. Zac

[@paulbcote]

That amp/cab selector is like a fancy Line 6 Pod. ;)

[@TruetoneFX]

I'll take it over the POD any day! Zac

[@colinbradley1366]

Another great interview Zac. Thanks for the hard work that clearly goes into these segments.

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you, and thanks for noticing! We work hard on these. Zac

[@StanleyCullerEsq.]

Hands down, the most interesting video I have seen all year. Best use of two hours, ever.

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you for taking the time. Zac

[@bwall615]

I love all the episodes, but this one is my favorite yet.

[@TruetoneFX]

It is a highpoint for sure. Zac

[@stevehorvath9589]

Almost 2 long hours? I need to go make some coffee and get back to this one - I love Jerry's playing as well as his history! The chores will have to wait, hon! One hour down - love it. Thank you Zac for another great interview.

[@TruetoneFX]

Steve, thanks for taking the time to watch. How do you feel after watching it all? Zac

[@stevehorvath9589]

It was extremely refreshing for me, as have been all the "sidemen" interviews. I am a "hobbyist" guitar player who has been fortunate enough to accompany some real good singers and/or players. What I have found in the interviews (which has a lot to do with the right questions you ask), is that I have had the same mindset as they have re not overplaying or being a distraction to the focal point - which is the singer or the lyric. There will always be a time for what I consider "recess", where like at school a ten minute bell will ring and you can do what you want during that time. The answers I hear from all of these players is so much of how I have seen my role in a support situation, so it validates the thinking I have had all these years. BTW, was that a painting of Kings X in the background? Thank you again for your efforts and passion. Steve@@TruetoneFX

[@TruetoneFX]

Steve, thanks! We are trying hard to both entertain and educate. Yes, that is a Kings X painting in the background. Zac

[@jerrymcp]

Yup, that’s a King’s X painting! I’ve known those guys from Houston before King’s X days. They were called The Edge (before U2) and had two guitarists. Great band!!!

[@mford1957]

Thanks for doing such great interviews. I appreciate how prepared you are.

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you. I don't like to be caught off guard, unless it is something funny....

[@Billywagner22]

What an epic interview, thanks!

[@TruetoneFX]

It was epic! It was so good, we could not cut it down in length. Zac

[@prs22gt10]

Excellent! What a great opportunity to watch and learn from a master. Thanks Zac and True Tone....keep 'em coming!

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you, and we will!!! Zac

[@jimmyray_hawkins]

Love all the Lounge interviews. So grateful to be able to enjoy the conversations, and music.

[@TruetoneFX]

I am grateful for your feedback. We love doing them. Zac

[@busabrye]

Couldn’t stop watching , awesome stuff

[@VERBANDTREM]

My first introduction to Jerry! what a legend!

[@TruetoneFX]

He is! Zac

[@billyribak8498]

Awesome! I learned a lot. Thank you both

[@barryconboy]

Brilliant interview 👏👏

[@rbrentwarren]

Wow, great to see the sound engineer behind the incredible player. I nominate Jerry as the Truetone "Tone-Master."

[@fiddlefolk]

I will never forget this guitar magazine back in the day that detailed Jerry's session rig and I was blown away! I had no idea about session work and didn't realize guys like him that had a specific amp for clean, slightly broke up, etc... Opened my eyes!

[@TruetoneFX]

Cool!

[@randerson2842]

Loved this. Great video yet again. Particularly loved hearing how he uses his pedals.

[@grahamdeatcher8607]

Hi Zac another fantastic interview and nice for Jerry to talk about the lead me on record with Amy.All those session players are just so talented and a true inspiration to us all ...Thankyou just the best interviews ....Graham

[@TruetoneFX]

You are so welcome and thank you for watching. Zac

[@mookytc]

Another great interview thank you!

[@dr2675]

I LOVE how he talks about using the tone control. I've only recently began getting hip to that.

[@TruetoneFX]

Yep. I was inspired to pay more attention to mine too. Zac

[@ericmichel]

A homerun again! highly entertaining episode!

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you, Eric. Zac

[@gianni.chiarello]

I can't believe I just discovered this channel... I have learnt more from this hour and a half than days of watching other more popular gear related channel that can be entertaining, but playing wise can be a bit basic (to be kind). I will be keep watching for sure, keep up this up and thank you for the time spent making these videos!

[@michaelpolutta3131]

What a likeable man! What a talented musician. What a creative mind. Thank you for this. Jerry's playing on Amy Grant's "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" is so great (one among many, but every holiday season I have to stop what I'm doing to listen).

[@TruetoneFX]

Great recording. He played like Les Paul's records of the early 50's on it. Zac

[@jerrymcp]

Thanks! Rockin Round The Christmas was a fun challenge. I spent a good deal of time before the session coming up with Les Paul style fills and parts. I used a ‘72 Goldtop with mini humbuckers into a Jim Kelley amp. At the end of the session the Les Paul fell out of the guitar stand and snapped the headstock. That’s when you know you’re done!

[@tonesafarionline1586]

@@jerrymcp Jerry curious how you get the tremolos in HX to be in time. Even when entering bpm and say 8th note division, it still never is in time for me. Thx

[@jray5363]

WOW! That’s a man that knows his gear inside out, up & down, and sideways! Great sounds, great interview, and just a great idea for a series/channel! I’ve got some catching up to do.

[@Scratch_Monsters_Golf]

With a series this great, how in the world do you only have 8k subscribers?!?!?! Such great content guys 👌

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you, and please share it to help us get more subscribers! Zac

[@JesusOtinChannel]

I remember back in the day when cassettes and CDs included credits Jerry McPherson's name will constantly will come up on those Nashville records! Great interview, nice guy!

[@KorbenDenver]

Nice interview! I love how similar his Tweed Deluxe setup is to Neil Young's Whizzer. Very cool stuff! Very cool.

[@TruetoneFX]

Yes, it is similar to Neil's. Thanks for watching. Zac

[@jerrymcp]

Neil's tweed Deluxe was TOTALLY the inspiration for that. Mine ended up a lot simpler than Neil's, thank goodness.

[@ken92592]

As great as this interview is (and it is great!), I am always impressed by the breadth and the depth of Zac's knowledge. Truly impressive!

[@TruetoneFX]

You are very kind! I love getting to do these. Zac

[@acousticglue]

fantastic player and interesting interview and the Flood!

[@sconor1]

Holy Jerry! Fantastic look into his world!

[@albertobiroli7314]

So good! Thank you so much Zack for this incredibile KZbin Channel !!!! Sorry for my poor English!!!

[@Oklatucky_Guitarman]

You ever have those moments when you unexpectedly learn 400 things. Thanks Zac and Jerry!

[@TruetoneFX]

Our pleasure!

[@JP-gt8qr]

Excellent interview! Enjoyed it very much

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you! Zac

[@mwrable]

Great as always! 👍🎸

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you! Zac

[@brightwings7788]

Loved this interview. As a young teenage guitarist, Jerry McPherson and Dann Huff were such an influence on me. I had so many albums they played on, and just loved to listen to them play. This was so awesome to hear from the man who I listened to so much.

[@brightwings7788]

Jerry playing "Black Hole Sun" at the end was just brilliant!

[@MartinCliffe]

Just amazing. Such fascinating insight and such a positive guy (plus amazing chops, of course). Might have been easier to digest in 2 one-hour episodes, but I had the morning off work, so what the heck :)

[@TruetoneFX]

We were torn but decided on just 1 long episode. It is worth the watch! Zac

[@jerrymcp]

There’s two hours of your life you’ll never get back!😁 Thanks for watching.

[@jamesgrobertson8024]

Great interview, & congratulations Jerry you have achieved total geekdom!

[@jerrymcp]

Yeah, guilty as charged!

[@pcau]

These interviews are so interesting and very well crafted. We learn about the musician, his philosophy, gear, concepts, nature and beliefs. Well done M. Zac. I'm turning into a massive fan :). Hello from Montreal, Canada

[@TruetoneFX]

Very kind, thank you! Zac

[@steverayburn6271]

That was excellent!

[@TruetoneFX]

Glad you liked! Zac

[@Willmcfarlane1]

Thoroughly enjoyable!

[@elloco6332]

Great video. This amp/cab set up is wild!

[@TruetoneFX]

It really is!

[@MrMusicguyma]

Hah! I just picked up that Gene Leis instructional book. Good interview. Jerry is talented and funny, too.

[@keithharter9203]

Zac, I have watched this episode several times. It's excellent. Jerry is a super nice guy for sharing his tips. I was wondering if you know on his pedal board a couple of things: 1) Does he use a volume pedal or an expression style volume peda? 2) Is he running his pedals in series into the HX EFX or is he using the loop inputs of the HX for his other pedals? 3) Does he send his output as mono or stereo out of his pedal board? These episodes are so great, I pick up a lot of tips and info. Thanks for doing these.

[@TruetoneFX]

Will have to see if we can get a response from him

[@jerrymcp]

Keith, 1) Does he use a volume pedal or an expression style volume pedal? I use a Boss volume pedal after my overdrives/distortions and before my delays. 2) Is he running his pedals in series into the HX EFX or is he using the loop inputs of the HX for his other pedals? In series, however I'm using FX Loop 1 on the HX to "split" the HX. That way I can have modulation fx and other hx fx before the volume pedal. So my signal path is: EP booster> SP compressor> EHX Freeze> HX In, then I come out of the HX FX Send 1> Nobels ODR-1> Ibanez MT-10> Friedman BE-OD> J.Rockett The Dude> Volume pedal> EHX Canyon> Eventide H9> HX FX Return 1. The output of the HX feeds my amp. I do this so my modulation fx from HX are pre distortion. I basically think of the HX as two units, one pre distortion, and then post for delays and reverbs. Sorry if that's confusing! 3) Does he send his output as mono or stereo out of his pedal board? Always, ALWAYS mono. I'm in the session world here in Nashville and there's basically no stereo rigs amongst the session players here. Glad you liked the video! Jerry McPherson

[@redstrat1234]

Great interview

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you. Zac

[@jerrymcp]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@jeremyminett]

this is AMAZING! Jerry is the man and these videos are fantastic!

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you, Jeremy! Zac

[@robertroden72]

Was you with Reba in Hickory NC the place was called country adventures .. well that was the biggest thing in Hickory back then🤣🤣🤣 it was a really good show. It was before she really got big.

[@sidvicioux]

again, fascinating!

[@joemerchant92]

The instruction book that he shows at 2:40, I actually found one on eBay and ordered it. It’s from 1964 so it certainly didn’t arrive in pristine condition but it’s a very informative book. Modern publishers could take a lesson from this.

[@SteveRiddleGuitar]

The remote controlled amp knobs are killer!

[@ralphprice5136]

I love that he has an old (60s) Sears Silvertone amp head!

[@codyperrin419]

Do you happen to know the signal chain of the pedalboard? Just interested in where Jerry puts the Freeze and volume pedal. Thanks!!

[@smokinop]

Great as always, Truetone! Inspector Gadget has got nothing on him!

[@TruetoneFX]

You speak the truth. Zac

[@jfilet]

good stuff love that whizzer!

[@richprincipe749]

What an awesome humble guy

[@musicisart2]

1:51:53 , another genius masking as a Nashville session player. Jerry's been so casual about the forward leaning Tech he's used thru the years, NOW, not until now are we getting a little geeky.

[@NikolausBrocke]

Very sypathetic guy and a first call session player. After all his dynamic crunch sound with the blooming overtones is great. We can learn a lot from him.

[@bbking0064]

Thanks for the interview - really enjoyed it. Now if your could get Dann Huff that would be nirvana.

[@TruetoneFX]

We are working on Huff. Zac

[@vickykaushik8764]

I love his guitar playing in cubasis's demo song 'smears'. It's tooooo nostalgic. Do tell me if you loved it on listening.

[@fabriciooliveiracompositor]

1:47:29 - Please does anyone know what mics Jerry McPherson is using?

[@mathzur5150iii]

Hi does it sound good with the pedal bend or pitshifter for playing semi semi tones under. Or can u put a drop digitech before between the guitar and the gx 100? Thanks

[@nakoshoko1]

Great video! What's Jerry's thoughts on the Kemper? Sorry had to ask lol.

[@TruetoneFX]

He uses it, but less so when he is doing overdubs from his studio.

[@jerrymcp]

Thanks! I really love the Kemper. It’s another tool for me. I mainly just use profiles I’ve done of my own amps along with Michael Britt’s profile of a Princeton and a Vox AC30. I think the only factory profiles I use are a Diezel, and a Alt Marshall, along with a Supro profile that came with it. Glad you like the video. Zac and team did a fantastic job!

[@TruetoneFX]

Thanks for chiming in Jerry!!!!! Zac

[@nakoshoko1]

Thanks for the reply Jerry and thanks for sharing your art and knowledge with us! Thanks to True tone for introducing us to Nashville’s finest guitar players!

[@Rocketfire_Guitars_Official]

Request for Zach... Nashville session player Glenn Pearce. Such a great player and talent!

[@TruetoneFX]

Great Guy and player.

[@obelisco1089]

That is quite a gauge of strings! What amp was he using for the pedalboard demonstration?

[@TruetoneFX]

Matchless HC30. Zac

[@jerrymcp]

That was my ‘94 Matchless thru a 2X12 with Vintage 30’s.

[@obelisco1089]

@@jerrymcp that's really a matchless sound.

[@robertroden72]

do you using the line 6 Interface that comes with the I think it’s a 240w combo

[@michaelgay278]

Great interview thanks! How does Jerry power his Line6 HX Effects? Off the CS12? If so, using 1 output or 2? Thanks!

[@jerrymcp]

I've been using the HX wall wart. The CS-12 will probably do it but with 2 outputs to keep the power supply happy and not overheat. Thanks for watching!

[@kassandjohnbolles3522]

This guy is a riot.

[@johnjohnson9093]

Best book ever.

[@thesoozeTJ]

Wow! What effects are being used at 18:50?

[@TruetoneFX]

EHX Freeze and a real Leslie cab. Let's see if @jerrymcp chimes in. Zac

[@jerrymcp]

Zac’s right. That’s an old Leslie 44w cabinet that I kick into fast mode. Then I added the freeze pedal.

[@thesoozeTJ]

Truetone - ahhhh a REAL Leslie. :) Wonder how close the HX comes

[@thesoozeTJ]

awesome! thanks @@jerrymcp

[@Br4dSp34d]

@@jerrymcp one of the HX delays it sounded like you said it was to emulate your Nemesis delay- is that the Source Audio one? Mind if i ask which HX module you were using for that tone? Thanks!

[@robertroden72]

Hey can you send me a diagram of your pedals .. sorry that’s rude of me !! But bro I love your set up wiring the pedals I been thinking on the combo inline 6 that is able to use this processor .. what do a your thoughts on there combos with a set up like yours

[@robertroden72]

I’m trying to make my time still on this earth livable so when Covid hit us I grabbed a couple acoustic’s electric Dean and a few Alverez and my i kids got me a Jackson cheapest body really but added a dime bucker and it has belcat from factory do you think that would make a nice next pickup

[@robertroden72]

I really probably could have picked up a China SG or a PRS SE series knock off, but the kids seen that the music I was going towards was played on acoustic

[@christopherkuefler9839]

Seems like a great guy!

[@sebastiendonat9707]

@jerrymcp what is the brand of the tap tempo generator ?

[@thumbpickfingers]

Selah effects Quartz.

[@sebydipi]

This guy is a genious

[@timogletree8754]

Just realized at the end that's Kings X on the wall. Forget genre, Jerry's obviously into great music period. No wonder he doesn't sound like rinse n repeat.

[@cuttyshark]

Best yet. Do Buk and JT

[@TruetoneFX]

Working on JT. Buk does not like to do interviews. Zac

[@motherofcups9374]

Fantastic Tele sound... Ouffff

[@TruetoneFX]

Indeed!

[@christopherkuefler9839]

Jerry and Tom Bukovac is a great team! Check them out! Look at Home Skoolin' 3rd and Lindsley.

[@mr5811]

A professional.

[@hosoiarchives4858]

What is the compressor at 1:05?

[@TruetoneFX]

Xotic SP comp. Zac

[@jerrymcp]

Yup, SP Comp. I especially like that it has a blend knob for parallel compression.

[@hosoiarchives4858]

@@jerrymcp thanks Jerry, HUGE fan

[@tim9house]

@@jerrymcp new ehx deep freeze is cool. You use the freeze effect cooler than anyone

[@hadleymanmusic]

I went to school with Randy Newmans sons russell and roger

[@hadleymanmusic]

Thanks for theheart. Their mom was divorced with the older daughter? Russell was my age and Roger a year ollder.they had a spinnet at their house sister played and Roger did a little and I tried to learn a little from Roger.

[@iwillnevergetone5]

haha the movie was 12 years a slave, friends

[@TruetoneFX]

Thanks!!! Zac

[@stevehowell231]

This guy is funny

[@josephallen9613]

Baby ? Yes love. Whats did you say about moving out ? I said , we need a bigger place so I can have an amp room for my studio . So , you did say you were moving out ? N, n, never mind .. Love you.. Uh huh...Love you too...

[@TruetoneFX]

Perfect