REDD VOLKAERT INTERVIEW
(Originally aired on July 29, 2010)
Telecaster wizard Redd Volkaert blends classic honk tonk with hillbilly jazz and Texas blues to create one of today's most compelling guitar voices. Originally from Canada, Volkaert now plies his twangy trade in Austin, Texas, where he is revered as one of the hottest guitarists in a city of great players (he lived in Austin at the time of the interview - he has since moved to Virginia). In addition to leading his own band and recording solo albums, Volkaert was Merle Haggard's lead guitarist. In 2009, Volkaert won a Grammy for his contributions to “Cluster Pluck,” a ripping instrumental by Brad Paisley that also featured James Burton, Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Steve Wariner, Brent Mason and Albert Lee.
In our exclusive interview, Volkaert discusses recording his 2010 solo album, Reddhead, and tells us how he got the gig in Merle Haggard's band and what it feels like to hold the spot once occupied by the legendary country guitarist, Roy Nichols. We'll hear selections from Reddhead woven through the interview.