John Jorgenson | Truetone Lounge | Part 1

John Jorgenson is one of the finest and most versatile musicians on the planet. From ground-breaking Country Rock with the Desert Rose Band, rocking stadiums with Elton John, Bluegrass with Earl Scruggs, or playing Gypsy Jazz with his quintet, Jorgenson can seemingly do it all. In part 1 of our Truetone Lounge interview, we get down to the nitty-gritty of his early years, and all of the hard work and risk taking that ultimately paid-off with a chance encounter in early 1985 that launched him onto the international stage.

[@jeffmcleod2855]

One of the world's greatest guitarists but also one of the friendliest and most humble. I met him in the 90s when he was in the Hellecasters and then again backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in 2017 and he was the same friendly, gracious, guy who I felt like I'd known my whole life.

[@TruetoneFX]

And so easy to interview. Zac

[@dannymarks988]

enjoying John's easy sense of humor as well as his great groove, memories and observations

[@TruetoneFX]

Thanks for watching Danny. Zac

[@WingchickWindyWarren]

Great interview! This former native Southern Californian (San Diego) singer/songwriter/guitarist is digging this here interview in Appleton, WI.

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you for digging it. Zac

[@MacQ1955]

Went to one of John's Gypsy Jazz concerts a few years ago when he came into the area. Not too hip on that genre of music, but man, he can play the guitar in any genre and make a believer of you!

[@TruetoneFX]

He will. Zac

[@inlandempiremusicianshallo7113]

Proud to call this masterful prodigy ours - Inland Empire Musicians Hall of Fame IEMHOF! He's just as friendly and happy to share whatever music lesson that arises (just as Mom likely did!) in every conversation that's lucky enough to fall in to line with this living/walking musicians' musician who has so much more yet to do. Wouldn't be surprised if he creates a whole new style of guitar playing that not only ties all the genre snobbed divisions to one another in creative equity, but also dons the beautiful Jorgenson namesake. D'Jorge perhaps. Just kidding, but seriously. He's just getting started IMHO.

[@KorbenDenver]

Love your work, John! Thanks for another great interview, Zac!!!

[@TruetoneFX]

You are so welcome, glad you enjoyed. Zac

[@hoffersmusic815]

Awesome player and interesting guy. Comes across as a genuine chap without ego

[@l.t.wright9719]

Fantastic interview...can't wait for part 2...John is an amazing guitarist!

[@TruetoneFX]

Yes he is. Part 2 will be released later this week. Zac

[@ThinDreamer30]

What an easy interview... John is a talker but quite linear at the same time. He also dropped several names I need to google, now. Cannot wait for the next installment!

[@TruetoneFX]

It is much harder when you have to pull the info out. Later this week for part 2. Zac

[@stephenparsons3532]

it would be cool to see a interview with will ray and jerry donahue too . but another great interview keep up the good work

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you, and I agree, those cats would be quite fun to interview. Zac

[@thedesertroseband]

Stephen Parsons : unlikely you will get an interview with Jerry. He suffered a major stroke in 2016.

[@TruetoneFX]

I had heard of Jerry's stroke. Did not know his specific condition.

[@tomforsythe7024]

Sterling Holloway's Peter and the Wolf, with "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" on the flip-side was my very first record, too!

[@TruetoneFX]

I still listen to it! Zac

[@deepspacetheater]

One of my first, too. A magical record!

[@shannonarnold9414]

Absolutely love watching these great interviews on Sundays!! Any chance of getting one with Johnny Hiland?

[@musicman1976]

Going back in the archives today Zac while waiting on the Chris Scruggs interview. Can't wait!! Love Jorgeson, I have his Blueridge Desert Rose guitar and my Dad just handed me down his Takamine JJ series. Just bought my first G&L ASAT Classic and have a Brad Paisley Esquire. All my guitars seem to lead back to JJ 😆

[@TruetoneFX]

Love it

[@thedesertroseband]

Looking forward to the second part of the interview with my friend John. I have that guitar (G&L) too . One of JJ personal spares

[@TruetoneFX]

Thank you. Do you have one with the signature on the headstock?

[@thedesertroseband]

Truetone... I own one of the five spares he got. And indeed the one with the signature on the headstock. Brand new received in 2014. Was in John locker for 20 years... Is there footage of john playing that G&l on this show trough a cranked ac30 vox or matchless amp ?

[@TruetoneFX]

Very cool. John will play in later sections. There will be a part 3, and a part 4 of our interview. Part 4 will be all gear. Zac

[@thedesertroseband]

Truetone , I actually spoke to John just before Christmas and told me Zac did a very good job with this interview . And I... was amazed about Zac’s musical knowledge .

[@thedesertroseband]

Truetone : Zac, is it possible to get a copy of the raw uncut interview for our desert rose band archive ?

[@musik102]

Bill Bryson? An unintended reference to some of John's reading material.

[@jerryglasure8708]

Bass player in Desert Rose Band

[@johnjohnson9093]

Probably one of the nicest guys in the biz.

[@jeremychambers8736]

Wow! John Jorgenson and Truetone mentioned my dad (Jesse Chambers). It is so very humbling to hear this.

[@TruetoneFX]

I remember watching your father play with Ricky. What a great bass player! Zac

[@simonvanderheijden432]

The next best thing to playing guitar? Talking guitar.. 🤘🏻🎸

[@vhollund]

Was that first song "the bitch is back" by Elton John ?

[@TruetoneFX]

Yes. Jorgenson toured with Elton from the mid 90's to the early 2000's. Zac

[@erikbreitenstein6803]

My dad played with him

[@TruetoneFX]

Very cool, how did that take place? Zac

[@erikbreitenstein6803]

@@TruetoneFX i dont Know i havent ask my dad about it but he said that i Met him ven I was a baby in Denmark. And my dad was great friend's with him. I only know John jorgenson beacus of my dad.

[@TruetoneFX]

Very cool indeed! Zac

[@timhoovermusicman]

The raspberries?

[@1rwjwith]

Bassoon to Steel guitar , amazing!

[@krautyvonlederhosen]

A true renaissance man, not to mention musician as well. Enjoy listening to his stories and allows words to become the man. He has an approach that transcends genre…….. just manages to play it all and has an easy goin’ nature. There’s not many like him.

[@TheSkaggs54]

It's cool how Ricky Skaggs is mentioned in both Jorgenson & Brent Mason's interviews!!

[@TruetoneFX]

Ricky has had a huge influence on country/bluegrass/Americana. Zac

[@davewojcik1854]

F#.. My wife does that to me when I'm working off a lead sheet.. I'm just working it out come on! LOL 😁

[@billmillar7234]

Absolutely love John....need to hear him play

[@nogotrobot7954]

How does Zac know about every person, every record, every band, every location that his interviewees mention? He's like a walking encyclopedia

[@TruetoneFX]

Thanks!