The Hellecasters

The Hellecasters (1998-2002) was an American guitar group composed of prominent session musicians and a core trio of guitarists, Will Ray, John Jorgenson and Jerry Donahue.

History

In 1990, Donohue ran into Ray at the Palomino and proposed that they play a set together at an open-mic session at the same club. Ray suggested that they ask Jorgenson to join them so as to have three-part harmonies. The band's name was coined by Jorgenson.

Michael Nesmith attended the April 1991 show and signed them to his record label. Their first two albums, The Return of the Hellecasters and Escape from Hollywood, were released by Nesmith's Pacific Arts Audio label. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

In 1998 they appeared on the German music show Ohne Filter. ^[4] They also performed a concert there and, in 2000, released the album Live... Raw... In Germany. ^[5]

In 2002, the band released its final album, Essential Listening Volume 1, a 13-track compilation which included two new songs. ^[6]

In 2012, the three guitarists performed at Dekes Guitar Geek Festival in Anaheim. ^{[7] [8]}

Personnel

• Guitar & Vocals: Jerry Donahue, John Jorgenson, Will Ray
• Bass: Dennis Belfield, Bob Birch, John Davis, Pat Donaldson, Davey Faragher
• Drums: Steve Duncan, Donald Lindley, Charlie Morgan, Tom Walsh
• Percussion: Luis Conte, Steve Duncan

Discography

Albums

Year	Title	Label
1993	The Return of the Hellecasters [9]	Pharaoh
1994	Escape from Hollywood [10]	Pharaoh
1997	Hell 3: New Axes to Grind [11]	Pharaoh
2000	Live... Raw... In Germany	Pharaoh
2002	Essential Listening 1	Hightone

Multi-artist collection

Year	Title	Label
2000	Guitars That Rule the World Vol 2 - Smell the Fuzz - The Superstar Guitar Album [12]	Metal Blade Records

References

1. "Let It Rock: Interview with Jerry Donahue". Let It Rock. January 2006. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
2. "Early Blues Interview John Jorgenson, guitar/vocals, John Jorgenson Quintet". Early Blues. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
3. "The Beginning". Hellecasters.com. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
4. "Hellecasters "Live... Raw... In Germany"". Guitar 9. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
5. "The Hellecasters – Live... Raw... In Germany". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
6. "Essential Listening Volume 1". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
7. "Dekes Guitar Festival 2012". hellecasters.com. Hellecasters Official Website. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
8. Dickerson, Deke. "Deke's Guitar Geek Festival 2012". dekedickerson.com. Deke Dickerson. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
9. "The Return Of The Hellecasters". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
10. "Escape From Hollywood". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
11. "Hell III New Axes To Grind". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
12. "Various – Guitars That Rule The World Vol. 2: Smell The Fuzz/The Superstar Guitar Album". Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved January 19, 2025.