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. 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. In 1998 they appeared on the German music show Ohne Filter. They also performed a concert there and, in 2000, released the album Live... Raw... In Germany. In 2002, the band released its final album, Essential Listening Volume 1, a 13-track compilation which included two new songs. In 2012, the three guitarists performed at Dekes Guitar Geek Festival in Anaheim. 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 "Let It Rock: Interview with Jerry Donahue". Let It Rock. January 2006. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2015. "Early Blues Interview John Jorgenson, guitar/vocals, John Jorgenson Quintet". Early Blues. Retrieved October 26, 2015. "The Beginning". Hellecasters.com. Retrieved October 26, 2015. "Hellecasters "Live... Raw... In Germany"". Guitar 9. Retrieved November 18, 2024. "Dekes Guitar Festival 2012". hellecasters.com. Hellecasters Official Website. Retrieved January 19, 2025. Dickerson, Deke. "Deke's Guitar Geek Festival 2012". dekedickerson.com. Deke Dickerson. Retrieved January 19, 2025. v t e