The Hellecasters

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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.

Contents

History

In 1990, Donohue ran into Ray at the Palomino and proposed that they play a set together at an open-mike 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

Discography

Albums

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

Multi-artist collection

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

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References

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