Hi, Redd! Here's most of what I just posted at a Sonny Landreth message board about your upcoming appearances at the American Music Festival at FitzGerald's in Berwyn, IL: . . . [paragraph break] . . .


If anyone's going despite the absence of Sonny, I recommend checking out Redd Volkaert (spelled wrong by FitzG's), who's teamed up with someone named Dallas Wayne for 7.1 and 2. Redd's a dazzling Telecaster picker in a completely old-school country & Western vein, combining Chet Atkins techniques with zippy Western swing on his up-tempo songs. When not playing his own gigs in his home of Austin and elsewhere, Redd is on the road as Merle Haggard's lead guitarist. . . . [break] . . .


I saw him at a club date and a clinic one weekend a couple years ago and was impressed by how fast and fluid his lines are, picked by a combination of flatpick (held between thumb and index finger) and bare middle-fingerpicking. I don't think he picks with his ring finger; I think I axed him about that. So, he has a pick and a fingertip working, which is half as many as Sonny (thumbpick, index, middle, and ring). However, whereas Sonny mostly keeps those bare fingers each on one of the three high strings, with thumbpick moving between lower strings, Redd is moving his pick and finger all over all six strings, which keeps continuity in lines, arpeggios, and Chet-style "cascades" that use more than two strings. . . . [break] . . .

His bio page is pretty funny, and read his press for high praise: [URL you already know!]

Peter (eMail is visible only to Redd), ThrIllinois

Hi Master Redd! I'm a workin' class guitarist and your very very fan! Country music isn't popular in Spain, people don't understant it? ...I don't know. I love it! So I would like to send you the music I make in my free time. It would be an honor if you listen to it.

Julian Kanevsky De Marinis (eMail is visible only to Redd), Madrid, Spain

Howdy Redd. We caught you with Bart Trotter at Hondo's in FBG in late May. What a treat. Fabuloso! I also want to thank you for posting the Pork Chops. As a part time Tele player, they're very educational - although maddening to try and figure out!

Wayne Wakkipicker (eMail is visible only to Redd), Amherst, Ohio

Sup Redd...I have caught a few of your saturday shows at the continental club with my 15 yr old son. What a twangin, friggin good time. Even Junior, an alternative punk who wouldn't otherwise admit to being seen with either you or me, actually asked to come along last time. I also build teles now and then; i'll try and grab you before a show and do some tele talk sometime. Rock on...

Mark

Mark Schnug (eMail is visible only to Redd), Beautiful sunny Austin

Hi Redd- big fan- I am Dallas Wayne's new booking agent; wanted to say howdy!

Justin Martin (eMail is visible only to Redd), Columbus, Ohia

Redd, when you gonna press some more DVD's?

Bob (eMail is visible only to Redd), Texico

Redd,
gimme a job (share a gig?) jk

jethro

www.spoootnik.com

jethro (eMail is visible only to Redd), San Francisco

Hi Redd, I've heard about you and hopefully get to meet you. I come to San Marcos on occasion to see a buddy of mine and, yours, play at Nephews. Benny McArthur. Benny was kind enough to me to let me record his tunes. He is a great writer, player and, singer. Now I'm anxious to hear you. Please feel free to check out my website also.
Thanks

Lynn Logan (eMail is visible only to Redd), Humble, Tx.

Hey, Redd. Who does your booking? Can you please pass my email address on to your booking agent? Thanks.

Jonathan Babiak (eMail is visible only to Redd), Austin

Hi, Redd, Heard you on a Wednesday with Lucky Tomblin at the Broken Spoke, and again Saturday and Sunday at the Continental Club a few weeks ago. My wife and I had a great time. Thanks for the good music.

Dan Margolis (eMail is visible only to Redd), The far western part of massachu