Ray Flacke | Truetone Lounge | Quarantine Edition

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 [e-mail]

[@jimdunlop1957]

The music world needs more genuine people like Ray

[@Badhands55]

Fantastic interview- Ray has always been a huge influence here

[@xti2020]

Ray is a genius guitar player. Zac’s a genius interviewer. His knowledge never ceases to amaze me. Nice work here Zac.

[@philmagallanes3850]

Amazing player...with a dark sense of humor and the kind of brutal honesty we almost never see anymore. Poor Zac looked like his head might explode from all the truth-bombs Ray hit him with. Loved every minute of it...

[@KingLasership]

Ray did some incredible guitar work for me on my records in 2000 2003 , most incredible guitar work solos and we had a good amount of fun too, love him. Guinness and get weird and do things only you can do ,which he did, and it was perfect and awesome and there was nothin like it on the radio and still i don't think there has been anything like what he did on those records to this day, much love and respect.

[@royfulton]

Ray's guitar work and solos are timeless classics that will live on forever. Many thanks Zac for another great interview!

[@TruetoneFX]

You bet!

[@TyeeHox]

I'm really enjoying your bluegrass background on Ray's interview. I've noticed in other interviews how much history and respect there is for bluegrass roots and banjo players. I'm a tele fanatic but still playing in the bluegrass sandbox, playing all the instruments, singing and songwriting.

[@iamgcase]

Great! I just got my morning coffee... good start of the day!

[@TruetoneFX]

Morning!

[@michaelgregory2231]

Thank you, Zac! Ray really turned my head when I saw him on TV with Ricky Skaggs years before I moved to Nashville. I ran into him at a sushi joint on Elliston across from the Exit/Inn and paid him a compliment and he was so kind and gracious.

[@garysimmons7987]

I grew up in Bognor Regis until i came to Louisiana, I know Steve Gordon and he and my Dad played together , who knows i may have met Ray back in my Bognor days as a kid, as i was around all those local musicians, when my dad was thrown out the Diamonds and he went out on his own, later i used to be his roadie at age 14 circa 1974 in all the pub gigs in West Sussex, dad used to tell me about Ray Flacke who had moved to Nashville and was complimentary about how great his playing was. well done Ray from another Bognorian ...

[@MichealClair]

A dear old pal who definitely has an incredible story, my chess playing pal is pretty amazing at everything he does. Glad you did this with Ray... He should be in hall of fame as his solos on the hits are some of the most musical and memorable. Hopefully soon....

[@TruetoneFX]

Absolutely

[@bradrehn1007]

Niels Henning Orsted- Pedersen is the bassist that he was trying to recall (that played with Joe Pass). Phenomenal and prolific musician, as influential in Euro-jazz circles as Ron Carter is elsewhere. Thanks for yet another great, fun interview! ✌️

[@MichelleTaylor1]

A great interview! Ray was the person that inspired me to play guitar, his playing stood out from everyone else at the time. It’s thanks to him that I have a career using my guitar.❤️ His style was so unusual and interesting. I once told him that to me it sounds like Picasso playing an instrument as at times it’s a little abstract and not just following the melody ( which many people were doing at the time ). I real inspiration.❤️👍🏻

[@mikewilliamson4349]

You are an awesome player Michelle I hear some of Ray in your playing.

[@thewizardofvoz4909]

James Burton came over one night, and he called Ray and left a message on his “machine” (1984) and (laughingly) said he wanted lessons! Truth.

[@craigmaddenmusic3408]

That was legendary. What a character....very refreshing!!

[@troylancaster2973]

Ray was kind enough to spend a day with me when I was trying to figure out whether or not to move to Nashville. I got a great guitar lesson, had dinner at Faison's and played together at the Nashville Palace. As my biggest Tele influence, Ray is the reason I got into playing country guitar. I never forget that Ray, many thanks!

[@jazzybluesguitar4317]

Ooh boy. Wow. Not too many long interviews with Ray. Fantastic Zac, THAANKS!

[@stevegoins8862]

Out of literally thousands of guitar players today, Ray has always been my favorite... why did it have to be somebody impossible to find or hear.. I heard him play live one time in Memphis with Marty in 89 (I think) he burned the place down.. bought his tape, got his autograph, said hi...(nice guy) thanks for the interview, and good job! I am a fan...

[@Tonetwisters]

Saw a video of him playing with Marty Stuart and I was blown away, and I'm a player of 59 years.

[@joeldowdy404]

Very nice!! Ray is the man!!

[@TruetoneFX]

Sure is!

[@colinbradley1366]

So glad to see this! Such a great and under appreciated guitar player and composer. Had no idea about his literary skills, but great to learn of them. Thanks again Zac!

[@TruetoneFX]

Glad you enjoyed it, Colin!

[@stringbender57]

Ray was a huge influence in my guitar playing. In the 80's I copied every solo he played on Ricky Skagg's hits. Had the pleasure to meet Ray and steel guitarist Bruce Bouton in St. Louis, MO in the 80's before the start of Ricky Skaggs concert. He was very personable and graciously answered all my questions about equipment, technique and the music biz. We had a very enjoyable talk for over an hour. Ray is a true gentleman and a brilliant player!

[@KevinSmith-lt4qf]

Thanks for this one .I was on the bill with Mealticket when the police busted the Marquee club in London, and when l say busted l mean van loads of police they stopped the gig and arrested a lot of people including some of the band.love the channel.

[@twangthang68]

Don't know where to begin... Wow! So grateful for you doing this with Ray. I met Ray at a guitar show in Nashville in early 90's I believe. I've still got his business card with his signature on the back. I felt as though I had just met Elvis. I was and still am such a fan. He along with a few others at the time was the reason I fell in love with the Telecaster. My first good guitar was an American Standard Stratocaster. After hearing Ray I now own around 30+ Telecaster/T-Style guitars. Thanks Zac for the great videos and interviews. We appreciate what you do.

[@hearpalhere]

This was so much fun to listen to. Thanks so much Zac for making me aware of Ray. He seems like a wonderful person and is obviously a monster player. The story about the sound check was hilarious too. So many great moments in this interview/chat.

[@windsweptguitars]

Love these.

[@pcau]

You have such a way with these interviews M. Zac. Thank you again for your great work :)

[@TruetoneFX]

My pleasure!

[@robertmitchell2178]

Thank you Zac. Ray Flacke's name should be as well known as Chet Atkins or Eddy Van Halen for his talent and influence. What a wonderful guitarist and a lively and real human.

[@shawnrenaud2252]

This guy is my idol!

[@justinweaver4757]

Many nights I sat in front of that BR-1 having Ray tattoo his masterful sound and playing into my soul. Great interview Zac.

[@TruetoneFX]

Smart man!

[@blazengtr]

Agreed! When they started w/Jamie at Gibson Cafe it was mind blowing! This guy single handedly change my life, playing & approach to guitar. If anybody ever says wow that sounded like Flacke I’m so honored! Love that guy & really sadly it me I’ve never really met him or chatted with him.

[@rogerwilliams2629]

What a great character. I never followed his career after Ricky, but I remember just being stunned at his tone and attack and technique. Now I need to find some video of him with Marty and Jamie. Did not know he was using a Lab, I used a Lab Series L5 back then, late 70s, and it was a workhorse. Anyway, great interview, would love to hang out with Ray!! Thanks so much!!

[@Jamestele1]

Ray is a guitarist-playing beast!! Thanks for this.

[@TruetoneFX]

You bet!

[@CountryHitsUSA]

Great interview!!! One my Favorite Players 🎸

[@TruetoneFX]

Mine too!

[@thezootsuits8151]

First saw Ray with Meal Ticket in London back in mid-70s. A huge influence on my playing. Amazing player. Witty guy too !

[@jimbeaux4988]

Way to go Zac! One of my guitar heroes.

[@jchavins]

great interview.......sounds like Ray got thrown under the bus by Skaggs' band....good thing he want out anyway.....his solos were really hard for me to learn back in the days before internet videos DAW's that allow slowing it down without changing pitch.....I find Reaper the best learning tool I never had when I was playing live...lol.....love your down to earth videos Zac.....and Ray is my favorite Tele player

[@docmaga8740]

New subscriber here. Just came across the channel and I love. You do great interviews and I love Ray but never knew he was such a character

[@buckhall6329]

Ray played on my album in 89 what a great time in the studio loved his solo on reason for the rain. Great interview really enjoyed this keep up the great work

[@TruetoneFX]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@BEERPOLIZEI]

Not your fault Buck, but I remember not getting paid for that session. The Union (ugh) and I contacted the money man to no avail. All good though, it happens? One of hundreds of projects I never heard, could you possibly send me a copy please? My email address Buck. Thanks in advance if you can? [e-mail]

[@Gary-mn7pg]

I remember him telling me about time his amp went out and they were looking for an amp so he could do the Austin City Limits show the same day

[@chrislestermusic]

Thanks again for this Zac. 👏🏻

[@TruetoneFX]

My pleasure!

[@BEERPOLIZEI]

Hi, it was called the Sabine Stealth tuner, couldn’t think of the name the day of the interview.🤷‍♂️ R

[@davidratliff807]

Good God, I just came across this. I’m such a Tele geek, haha. Another off the charts interview with a true creator. Thanks Zac

[@TruetoneFX]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nicko6710]

Nice work Zac.

[@TruetoneFX]

Thanks!

[@kevinparker3845]

This just in, Ray is a genius.

[@johnreilly9748]

Thanks Ray and same to you Zac real pleasure listening to a great Tele player some cool info on the scene in England in the early days of rock!

[@TruetoneFX]

Our pleasure!

[@cousinotes]

Ray! Great to see you and hear your stories. Be well!

[@TruetoneFX]

Thanks for listening

[@BEERPOLIZEI]

Dave Cousino? Must be, how are you doing?

[@bobstrickland4223]

At the 1:23:50 mark, I believe Ray is referring to Charlie Chadwick - the inventor of the folding bass.

[@danross146]

I'm going to be using "'kin 'ell" from now on!!!

[@jman1428]

What a great player.

[@willemdefouw3605]

Great player

[@thetruthchannel349]

Interesting guy

[@vayabroder729]

This is a great interview! Wasn’t the Lab Series amp also one of BB King’s go to amps along with the Twin Reverbs? I thought the F stamped Fender tuners were actually manufactured for Fender by Schaller?

[@TruetoneFX]

BB used the L with 2-12". The F tuners made after 1975 were made by Schaller. Earlier, 1966-1974, were made by Fender, and are not wonderful tuners. Not awful either though.

[@vayabroder729]

@@TruetoneFX that explains why I had to switch one of them in a ‘69 Tele with F Bigsby that I had. Weighed a ton and Lindy Fralin had to rewind the bridge pickup due to internal pole corrosion in typical fashion for those late ‘60’s and subsequent Fenders. But it sounded like a million bucks and I owned it for over 25 years; now I wish I hadn’t sold it.

[@gtrjames1]

I was told B.B. loved the Lab Series and only used a Twin as a rental if the Lab wasn’t available.

[@TaterMatt]

Great amps. I have an L5, L7 and an L9. Same SS circuits just different speaker configs. They are great amps. They have a sweepable mid EQ which is one reason Ray's tone is so beefy and cuts so well in a mix. His tones with Ricky on ACL and with Marty on Nashville Now are just stellar. He sounds and plays like no other. Thanks for putting this out there for posterity.

[@NickRatnieks]

Hank Marvin played a Strat because when they got the Fender catalogue, he, Bruce Welch and Cliff Richard- who was going to buy a Fender guitar for them, assumed that James Burton must play the most expensive Fender- so Cliff ordered the Strat! I met Hank Marvin at a John Jorgenson Gypsy Jazz concert and he confirmed this and told me that clearly, had they bought a Telecaster, he would have evolved into a very different guitar player in terms of style.

[@nicko6710]

My understanding Buddy Holly was in this mix.

[@kurtford9123]

My dream is to see the great Ray flacke and the great Albert lee get together for a recorded jam. Please make this happen!

[@BEERPOLIZEI]

Too late mate, Albert and I along with Chas Hodges and Dave Peacock (long before their success as Chas and Dave) sat in with a band I was in called The Tumbleweeds many times when we played The Red Cow pub in Hammersmith, west London back in the early 70’s and grand fun it was, sorry you missed it Kurt.🤷‍♂️😀

[@jchavins]

what was the tuner he was referring to ?

[@TruetoneFX]

Sabine

[@edcampbell2206]

Great job Zac! Thank you for this episode, Ray has always been a huge influence on me.

[@gtrjames1]

A Sabine stick on

[@BEERPOLIZEI]

I though I had already posted this, didn’t come up? The Sabine tuner was called the Stealth and it was brilliant! R

[@thetruthchannel349]

Record 'label' in 2022: "18 year old kid with a laptop and plugs? Sure!' -Record Label in 1982 "Only seasoned studio players allowed in session!' = ATROPHY - House always wins!

[@MrSophbeau]

The best living country picker is from the UK. Puts the Americans to shame.

[@TruetoneFX]

Yes