Ray Flacke - A Follow-Up Conversation 

I had the great honor of taking a guitar lesson with Ray back in 1998. I was in Nashville for a demo recording and saw him play at the Gibson Cafe. I approached him on his break and told him how great his playing is. He was nice enough to meet me the next day for a 3 hour lesson. Of course, getting a guitar lesson from Ray is like getting a golf lesson from Tiger Woods...not much chance of keeping up. But, Ray is a class act and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats.

Here's to Ray! One of the most beautiful and happy people! Just love him! Another great interview, Zac!

Saw Ray play with Meal Ticket in London in the mid 70s. Great player. Best Wishes from London.

I met Ray Flacke in Germany in 1971 when he was playing a Gibson SG Special in a hard rock covers band called 'Plinth', and he still had lots of hair. Both our bands were playing a festival in Frankfurt, and Brits gravitated together. Ray spent the entire afternoon talking about how great Ritchie Blackmore was. I remember Ray playing the Deep Purple instrumental 'Wring That Neck' at the gig. A couple of years later I followed him as guitar player in a country band on the east coast of the UK, which was the first intimation I had that he'd got into country. Then there was 'Meal Ticket', a great London-based country-rock band that I used to go and see as often as I could, in which Ray played a 70's Tele Custom through a JC 160 - as a result of which I bought the same setup! Ray had evidently had a strong dose of Amos Garrett by that time, an approach which really suited Meal Ticket. There's some live Meal Ticket stuff on RU-vid from that period. Great player, but I've read on the 'Meal Ticket' FB page that he doesn't play guitar anymore. I gather he's now a published author.

So glad to have someone so good struggle with a lick... it give me hope!!

Wow! What a super cool follow up with Ray, Paganinni, Nichols,Chet,Blackmore, etc. what a gamut of guitar music. Good on you for this interview really important stuff for us hardcore guitar pickers!

Ray is one of my favorite players! After watching him with Skaggs on Austin city limits play with such abandon.. he sounded like nobody I’d ever heard! His solo on DONT get above your raisin with his above the nut bend is still one of my favorite solos ever! Thanks Zac! I search for him on you-tube quite regularly.. your first interview with him a month ago was such a surprise.. made my day!!!! Imagine my surprise when I looked a few days ago and found this follow up... wow! After searching for years, now two new interviews.. fantastic! Would still rather hear him playing live but... thanks guys!!!!

Thank you Zac and Ray. Big fun and big playing.

I used to see Ray fairly regularly in London with Meal Ticket. You could tell who the guitarists were in the audience because they'd gaze at their hands weeping on the way out.

thanks for doing this interview Zac, and thanks to Mr Flacke for agreeing to do it!

Fascinating conversation... Thanks, Ray! Thanks, Zac!

My all time favorite guitar player! Thanks for the (2) interviews Zac, and Ray 👍👍

A bonus episode!! Thanks indeed Zac! Stay safe.

What a talented player!

Thanks so much Zac, and Ray....!!!! Very fun vibes here! It's such a joy.

Ray Ray...one of a kind! After auditioning to replace Ray Flacke in Shotgun, Joe Suns band...(and not getting the gig, btw) I realized one should never go for a "Tele" gig with a "Strat"...thanks for the hard earned lesson!✔

Great interview!!

Great interview Zac

Huge Ray Fan ! Thanks for this!!!

That was super cool, and fun. Thanks for that!

Thanks for the answer Ray!

Thanks Zac and Ray very informative

What a character. His mistakes sound better than my best playing! 😂

Fun hang with a true character! Also, the mention of Roy Nichols reminded me to say thanks for your Spotify playlist featuring his work. Best...

Ray seems like a fun guy to hang around with. 👍

Thanks for the heart reply. Was in a band that supported Meal Ticket and Ray also came to our gigs. If you are in touch with him, please pass on my best wishes.

He is such a character. I have to say, though, I loved his sound with Ricky..the delay knocked me out....tone to die for.

It makes me sad you had to sell your beloved Tele, but it must be comforting to know it is getting played and is not just in someone's collection.

One of my favourite players--it's kinda sad to see him struggling with memory issues- but I guess it comes to us all!

Here’s E7 in the 5 positions: Just the top 4 strings, 2130, 2434, 6757, 9797, 999-10. That’s EDCAG, all Dominant 7.

Well… that was fun!

Classic !!!

I don't envy you on this one Zac; hard to keep Ray on topic! Still an interesting interview.

Drifting, allergies and all...it was fun ride Ray! You had me laughing my ass off! Thanks for the stories!

The drummer whose name Ray could not remember was Carlo Little- he was with Screaming Lord Sutch and then the Cyril Davies All Stars and was asked to join the Rolling Stones- he sat in for a short while and got them Charlie Watts. He gave Keith Moon his first drum lessons and auditioned for Deep Purple. Keith Richards reckoned he was the best rock 'n' roll drummer.

I love Ray's low string bends but I cringe watching with my current left hand finger injury. Lol. I sure hope I can attempt to try these in the near future. It's a great effect.