Russ Pahl | Truetone Lounge

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

[@martinluthierking]

as a professional Luthier, musician and steel guitar player, this is the best content in the world for me…this was awesome.

[@briannacery9939]

I'm amazed at the innovativeness of Russ Pahl.

[@almannino3153]

I love this guy. A real artist and a wonderful soul. Thanks Zac ❤

[@BRIANDARNELL]

I feel like I was given a tour into a completely different musical world. I've just started writing country music, and I'm simply in awe over Russ Pahl's talent, and depth of knowledge. Wow!

[@cnrbsmth]

Guy is an absolute legend, his approach to music is really inspiring.

[@ratcliffek]

Zac, your interviews have become my favorite thing on the Internet. Period. Thank you

[@TruetoneFX]

Wow, thank you!

[@jimnallsmusic9820]

I used to go to bars in the Minneapolis area in the 1970's to see The Sky Blue Water Boys; featuring Russ Pahl, Becky Reimer Thompson and Dan Lund on guitar - what a great band!

[@468string]

Same here, Jim, and I also dropped a dollar or two at Knut Koupee Music back in the day!

[@strangfangers]

Russ Pahl aside from being a virtuoso steel player who from his very essence brings with him a ten-foot-tall crystal clean tone, doesn't just rest on his laurels, he journeys cleverly way outside of the box with his red tool bag. Cheers to never losing that beautiful, powerful child-like curiosity.

[@thedesertroseband]

That was amazing Zac. Pedal steel players always welcome to the show. Maybe an idea to have old Buckeroo and desert rose band steel guitar player JayDee Maness on the show. Lloyd Green would also be amazing! Cheers.

[@TruetoneFX]

Great idea!

[@thedesertroseband]

@@TruetoneFX thanks Zac. Always loved JayDee’s playing. The guy also worked with a lot of celebrities, did TV shows , Nashville sessions and above all a great guy.

[@dannymuhammad8321]

I remember Russ at gabes in the late 80s. We were all picking over there and he showed me that tapping thing.. It's interesting Tommy hannam was over at my house last week and I showed it to him.. Tommy has showed me all kinds of cool things.. But yeah Russ is a super nice guy and fun to hang out with.. And I still use that tapping thing he showed me. Last time I saw Russ was on the Opry. Maybe 20 years ago when I was playing with Ray Price and he was playing with Vince Gill

[@brownmonkeybananayellow]

What a great interview. I'm glad it's almost an hour and a half!

[@mennis04]

Love this so much. One of my favorites so far

[@jimajello1028]

Such an interesting musician/Technician who has done extensive session work & performed with musicians of many styles. So well rounded. A very down to earth person willing to share his knowledge. I would be honored to work with him. Thank you for this great interview. Vince James

[@endipopendipupskotter9463]

Wow! What a cool gentleman Russ is. I'll definitely check out more of his stuff. Thanks Zac, for that formidable interview - as always.

[@bmorris2019]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, including Zac’s “aside”. Great to see the “in person” Truetone Lounge and hope to see more!

[@jeffrohr4795]

I fell in love with Russ in the mid-70's going to see The Sky Blue Water Boys with Russ, Becky, Dan and Curt at a bar in downtown Minneapolis. Can't remember the name. Loved it when Russ and Dan would play off each other. Russ used to sing "Darlin' Companion" and they had a great version of "Tennessee Stud". Russ even invited me downstairs a few times during breaks for a little "refreshment".

[@sunbrst62]

The most amazing talent per square mile- Nashville. Thanks for this interview and kudos to Russ, you, your production team.

[@TruetoneFX]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@GodsgalMN]

Wow! What a fun interview to hear Russ talk about his amazing music career and growing up here in Mpls., MN. Yes - music in MN has always been a huge presence and I remember the same places Russ talked about because I was in that age during that time - 60’s and 70’s. Our era of music was phenomenal!! During that time I saw and heard all those musicians in small venue concerts all the time. (Michael Johnson, Dylan, Mama’s & Papa’s, CCR, Animals, Don H., CSNY, etc…) What a time it was in history for music!! Russ plays the steel guitar so supremely! Thank you. Lori / Mpls.,MN

[@frazierriver]

One of my favorites so far, and I love them all.

[@SoundCastle00]

This channel is taking up all my time! So far I've watched JD.....kirk and Kenny and now this one. This channel is hugely valuable in so many ways Thanks so much🙏

[@petedonaghyguitar]

This is the best thing I have ever seen on KZbin! Each story is better than the last. Incredible! 🙏

[@TruetoneFX]

Wow, thank you!

[@jonathanfrieze8497]

i love pedal steel so much ive had a single neck in the past and now a doible neck nut funny i guess its because i live in nc but both of my pedal steels were marlens my current D-10 is a 1973 black love the tone but pedal steels a special thing

[@rlkoenen]

Zac, You hit it out of the park! Great interview with Russ.

[@richardcooke452]

Another fabulous interview. What a truly humble gentleman Russ is. Many thanks to both of you.

[@TruetoneFX]

Our pleasure!

[@jeffmcleod2855]

Such a wonderful interview!! Russ is such a low key, practical guy, and seems to be his own person. Loved the Jim Colvard side story.

[@kevinolear6717]

Been waiting on this Zac. Once again thanks to all the Truetone Lounge crew!

[@TruetoneFX]

THANK YOU

[@guillermoazul220]

Fucking great interview! Love love listening to Russ describe gear and his approach to playing! Fabulous wonderful stuff!! Thank you!

[@Jumatsu]

Great interview. Thanks Russ and Zac. I love Russ' style of playing and that he is thinking to get Pro Junior. It's great when the pro players uses the regular stuff.

[@johnreilly9748]

Russ is great, very cool interview, really nice tune to close out!

[@Theweeze100]

Thank you Zac for exposing all of us neophytes to the wonders of some phenomenal musicians. The guys in the background seldom get the respect there do, really appreciate your channel!

[@TruetoneFX]

Our pleasure!

[@Cottonrocket]

What a great interview! Very interesting, the dude abides. Thank you both.

[@TruetoneFX]

Thanks for listening

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

What an interesting interview! I can so relate to playing acoustic, then seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and the rest of the story is just like so many other guys our age. Thanks for sharing this.

[@jmtab]

Complex yet beautiful playing.

[@jkris2361]

This guy is awesome......I have never heard of him before, but I love his playing, his stories, and his humble, down to earth, non-rock star attitude...I will have to listen to more of his playing....thanks Truetone, I have one of your power supplies..it is awesome....

[@TruetoneFX]

Cool!

[@cptntwang]

Thank you very much. Very inspiring.

[@TruetoneFX]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Patrick_B687-3]

This is a really cool channel man. You are doing great work showcasing these lesser known (to the masses) fine artists. Good on you for that.

[@TruetoneFX]

Much appreciated!

[@chipsterb4946]

Zac - really nice job in this interview. Good questions followed by really listening.

[@howardmakely2169]

Another great interview.

[@johnkay2923]

Fascinating interview.

[@TotallyTuberous]

Thanks Zac! Great interview. Now I'm off to hear more of Russ on his channel.

[@TruetoneFX]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@HiHello-ku1fl]

This guy is really cool. Love his sound. Love the stories.

[@23coburn]

Wow. thank you once again Zack. What a Cool Cat, his playing sends chills up my spine! Hey, another subject. Would love to see an interview with Sergio Webb another amazing player. Thanks again and again and again!

[@thelonetwangster]

What a lovely talented, humble man.

[@clydehannah1056]

Great interview always enjoy your shows and style Z! Love the work you do!

[@TruetoneFX]

Much appreciated

[@h.sinclair]

wow informative interview Russ Pahl is off the charts man! That whole tone expression thing in different courses is amazing. Also Joshua Grange (plays with Lera Lynn and Sheryl Crow and is a producer) uses that same wholetone thing Russ had on his right leg lever.. Beautiful interview and document thanks Zak 💯

[@majortwang6211]

That was great🎯 thanks Zak!

[@TruetoneFX]

My pleasure!

[@ronrumsey3205]

Excellent! Thank you, Russ! Thank you, Zac!

[@TruetoneFX]

Welcome!

[@no59do56]

Wow ! This is a good interview. Kool stuff.

[@CC-te5zf]

Incredible - Russ!

[@greggtemple7567]

Great Russ Pahl interview! And he’s rocking’ a Knut shirt.

[@fiddlefolk]

Great interview Z as always! Lots to learn from a guy like Russ. One thing I think all of these great players have in common. They always talk about the impact of the 1964 Beatles appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. There must have been some cosmic thing happened that night because it sure did have an amazing effect on all of these future great players. Lol....but seriously.....they all mention this one night!

[@davemassie3726]

Talk about Sonic Soundscapes. Mind blown! I just learned more in 1:28.24 than I have learned in my last 28 years of playing guitar! Russ you are a TONE GOD! Thank you for sharing and Zac for making this Happen! Mind blown again!

[@IvorThomas]

“Oh yeah, we’d do Tower of Power songs and I would play the horn parts”… my jaw is on the ground. I so want to hear that!

[@piggycity]

Awesome Leon Michaels reference! All my worlds are combining!

[@stanbarnhart6677]

Another awesome interview ! He has so much savvy on so many things. Could easily listen all day long. Great questions to bring it out !!

[@drumsleuth]

Great stuff wonderful player Thanks

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you too!

[@thisisbridger]

As a fellow Minnesotan pedal steel player, Russ is a major personal inspiration on multiple levels. Thank you for this wonderful interview

[@MattGraunke]

Bridger, my Uncle Bill was the singer in the Rhythm Rascals, with Russ. He was telling me stories about Russ just last weekend when we were together up in Nevis.

[@admarhermans1]

Inspiring! 🖖

[@Gracebeliever077]

1:20:20 The song is amazing, and the steel sounds beautiful, and I think I heard some "steel guitar licks."

[@roscoenyc]

Really enjoyed that guys.

[@TruetoneFX]

GRACIAS!!!!

[@michaeljohnson7892]

BEAUTIFUL RUSS Pahl

[@leftwrite]

Amazing interview. I want to be Russ Pahl...or at least have a chance to play with him.

[@dannymuhammad8321]

I forgot to mention What good friends Lloyd and Russ are.. Back in the mid-nineties Russ produced a record or 2 for Lloyd. I remember the first song on that first record was jukebox Charlie. Is classic Lord.. Yeah Russ Has done a lot of stuff that he's doesn't even have time to mention here.. He's cool because he does a lot of things that other people don't.. I for1 do most of this on regular guitar. And I try to keep the steel guitar pretty simple and pure.

[@PT_English]

09.48 To me its like a dog looking at a tv hahaha great guy

[@sgriffett541]

true tone interviews are back!! thank you all

[@MattGraunke]

My Uncle was in the Rhythm Rascals. I was talking to him about that band, and Russ' name came up.

[@markm5194]

Nice Knut-Koupé T shirt. They usually had some steels in the basement

[@benjohnson4810]

I halfway expected to see a Sho-Sound/Jordan Bosstone. I just bought one in pedal form and it's pretty awesome. Chris Mahoney is the man. Russ sounds good man.

[@michaelgranka7904]

Excellent Zac.

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you kindly!

[@majortwang6211]

A+🎯

[@christiaandemarezoyens4720]

Wow, Mathew Modine plays some bad ass pedal steel!

[@JamesOrcutt]

Love Nuit koupa t-shirt bought my first Eric Clapton Stratocaster there in uptown Minneapolis

[@marmorg]

Jim Colvard played the iconic gut string guitar so prominent on Dolly Parton's Jolene. This part is often erroneously credited to Chip Young, a great session player who did indeed play a similar second acoustic on the record, but it's Colvard on the intro/ featured part.

[@TruetoneFX]

Marshall, thank you so much for pointing that out. Zac

[@REKlaus]

The PC board in the green guitar is like the "Producer Switch" Leland Sklar has on his basses.

[@markdeweese9288]

Wow

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Great job as always Zac. Hey what did Russ use to fill the control holes in that Grestch? I'm thinking of ditching the Master Volume in my Jet so I'm looking for something to do that.

[@TruetoneFX]

Some kind of metal discs. I shall ask! Zac

[@Grant_Ferstat]

@@TruetoneFX that'd be much appreciated Zac.

[@TruetoneFX]

He says "metal hole plugs" from the local hardware store.

[@Grant_Ferstat]

@@TruetoneFX thanks Zac.

[@geoffqueenmusic6073]

Great interview, thanks! I'm curious about the lack of tuner on his board...did he have one and I didn't see it? Again, great interview Zac.

[@TruetoneFX]

He uses a Korg CA-1 tuner to get his low e flat, then tunes the rest by ear.

[@geoffqueenmusic6073]

@@TruetoneFX Thanks!

[@johnnyhotwiel5409]

Very enjoyabel👍🙏

[@TruetoneFX]

Many thanks

[@markdeweese9288]

If you think about it Ralph Moony had a similar approach

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

Why doesn't truetone make one cable the runs to the HX stomp, and preferably angled ends

[@TruetoneFX]

Working on it.

[@jackhanson8695]

Memory Lane department: Knut-Koupee @ 28th & Hennepin.

[@roberthastings708]

Zach !!!

[@mikeglasgow9618]

I sorta found it funny that he never mentioned RUSTY YOUNG. One of the best steel players in the modern era.

[@woodybowen5362]

Absolutely. I witnessed Rusty play the most jaw dropping steel in my life playing with Vince Gill opening for Sweethearts Of The Rodeo @ The Cannery for a video taping back in the 80s. I was fortunate to run into Rusty later @ Summer Lights that summer & told him how much that performance meant to me.

[@dannymuhammad8321]

Maybe rusty young was not one of his favorite players.. He wasn't one of my favorite players that's for sure. But I did love the band Poco.. But when I was learning steel I was listening to Emmons and green.. And myric. And anybody else who is on records. On country radio.. But yeah I just cut somebody doesn't mention somebody doesn't mean much

[@NoCoverCharge]

My bass player wants to switch to pedal .. he has no idea how to play it .. but he is a badass bass player I don’t want him to switch

[@mississippisteeler95]

what song does he play a little of at the beginning?

[@TruetoneFX]

Original tune. Not sure the title.

[@mississippisteeler95]

@@TruetoneFX well it sure sounded cool. Russ definitely gets a cool factor of 100 from me mainly because he seems to do things his own way

[@mikec6733]

Part of this I don't understand. Russ said he was playing on 15 sessions a week, but was not playing on any records. What kind of sessions are there other than those which are the making of a record album?

[@TruetoneFX]

Songwriter demo sessions. They are used to shop songs to artists and producers.

[@corndog1001]

there are also radio and TV ads, industrial films, and movie and TV scores( background music)

[@corndog1001]

In the ‘70’s and ‘80’s it was possible to make a living by just playing demo sessions.

[@cccorlew]

Russ was in CA band in the early 70s; Road Apple. He was great even then. He was even in a joke band called "Russ Pahl and the Spitfire Polka Band" that played a set at my high school before a Road Apple set. He was so darn good he inspired me to NOT become a musician because what was the point.

[@dannymuhammad8321]

Is trapped in the buddy Emmons Lloyd green thing.. That guy needs to check his self.. Because all the other stuff isn't even close to what those guys did.. You can come up with something new but it will never be at the level of those guys.. I'm speaking from a purely petal steel place. I'm all for new stuff and I have to do that myself.. But what Lloyd and buddy did amongst others is pretty much sacred ground.. When country music went rock and roll we're all fucked

[@larrydering1598]

I'm in agreement with Danny. Buddy, Lloyd, Curly Chalker, Ralph Mooney set the standard for pedal steel sound. No matter how many others try to reinvent the steel the best tones and era was during their heyday.