Charlie Starr Brings the Thunder! | Shred with Shifty
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- Starr, whom Shifty credits with owning one of the best vintage guitar collections he’s ever seen, explains how he got into guitar at age six thanks to the influence of his dad, who was a bluegrass rhythm player. But he turned to his mum, the rocker in the family, to help him get his first electric guitar: a Mosrite copy which he played through his sister’s stereo with some old-school technical finessing. (He eventually blew the stereo, which didn’t go over well with his sibling.) Starr and Shifty swap stories about getting their kids into guitar-Starr’s son wasn’t interested until he played guitar hero, when he discovered Allman Brothers and Van Halen.
Starr says his playing has never been too bogged down in theory-“I know what sounds good to me and what feels good to me,” he says-and he details how he came to his hybrid picking, middle-finger “crutch” style of lead-playing. For the scorching solo on “Waiting for the Thunder,” off their 2016 record Like An Arrow, Starr messed around until he found the right shape and sound. He used a 50-watt 1976 Marshall JMP, running through a 4x12 cab with Celestion Greenback speakers, and the same guitar he’s playing in this episode: a 2014 Gibson Custom Shop Southern Rock Tribute Les Paul, an homage to the smooth riffing of Duane Allman, Gary Rossington, and Dicky Betts.
You can hear those southern rock pioneers in Starr’s solo, which starts in the low register before slinking its way up the neck to a blistering crescendo. “Tom Waits said, ‘Our hands are like dogs, and they go to familiar places,’” says Starr.
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Producer: Jason Shadrick
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Engineering support by Matt Tahaney and Matt Beaudion
Video Editors: Dan Destefano and Addison Sauvan
Special thanks to Chris Peterson, Greg Nacron, and the entire Volume.com crew.
Never seen or heard a negative comment about Charlie. Never. He is such a positive guy and as genuine as they come.
Charlie is a gentleman and a brilliant musician 🙏🏻
Charlie and the Band have been overlooked for too long and in recent years have finally been getting the recognition they deserve. Charlie is under rated as a player and should be up in the ranks of GREAT players.
I completely agree. One of the true all around good guys in the "business" and one of the greatest quad threats (Singer, Player, Songwriter, Performer) ever. There are tons of talented people that do one or two of those things well but very VERY few that are absolute experts at every one of them. That kind of talent creates very dedicated fans that last for many decades.
Very special band
He has some tasty licks for sure.
I try not to make heroes out of celebrities, but Charlie is definitely someone I admire. I’m sitting here fully listening/half watching this as I’m doing my masters homework in Social Work. I’m am zero percent musically inclined. But I LOVE MUSIC. I fell in love hard for Blackberry Smoke in 2021. I wanted to see a show at Red Rocks when we were going there for vacation. I got on and said oh I’ve heard of that band, and opening for them was the Allman Betts Band. I was like heck yeah. Well I downloaded all the music for both bands and hand my mind blown. THEN we went to the show and fell even more in love. We’ve seen them 5 times since then, with two of those being front row in the pit. Blackberry Smoke has become therapeutic for me when I’m having a bad day and about to break. There is not a song I don’t love. Not one. That never happens for me.
We watched them at our local venue TempleLive in Ft. Smith, AR night before last. I had not been keeping up with social media, and was unaware Brit was not on the road with them. I was deeply saddened, but his fill-in did a tremendous job. AMAZING SHOW. Again, I stayed off social media as it is something I vowed to do on New Years….only to learn just an hour or so ago that Brit had passed yesterday. Man that hit me hard. I’m a big bearded guy and I’m fascinated by the skill of drumming, so of course I gravitated to him.
Fly High Mr. Turner, you will be missed but your beat will continue to keep us all going. 🥁
Love Mr. Starr! He is by far, one of the greatest guitar players and all-around good dude. So gracious for his fans, treats them like brothers/sisters. The SMOKE is where it's at!
The major Southern Rock Band from our times!!! Greetings from Brazil!!!
He seems like the kinda guy who would be first to laugh at himself. That’s so refreshing to see. He seems like just a normal guy. Excellent interview.
Charlie is freaking awesome. Love the band too! I go see them every chance I get
I met Charlie and the band at the Waiting for the Thunder album drop. It was an acoustic show at the basement in Nashville. There were about 40 people in the very small packed room. The thing that made that night so memorable for me was the sheer musicality that album exhibits. After the show the band hung out with us for well over an hour signing shirts and albums and just generally having a big time. They are all a real down to earth and all around the nicest bunch of big time stars I have ever met. They hung out with fans like it was old home week. I became a fan for life that very night.
That was my first time seeing them. My brother bought a couple albums the day before the release date. I hadn't heard of them before that. I really enjoyed the Meet & Greet afterwards. But the bands acoustics and Charlie's vocals in the basement.....
Nothing like it in all my 50+ years!! I love these guys! WOW
Ok, from now on I’m playing those Charlie Starr licks when I’m going guitar shopping.
Growing up in LaGrange just over the river from Charlie, I have been lucky to see him evolve over the decades into one of the best musicians playing today. Love you Charlie!
I may be old, loved the 60s and 70s...and there is always something good out there, just harder to find ..Thanks Charlie
66 next week , never,never....ever stop.
Thanks for the great attitude guys. Just as much great music as there ever was. Just like I’m sure, not every single thing was great back then. Just gotta dig a bit for it! 🙂
Long live rock n roll
Yet well worth the search. Search for what you need rather than accept only the garbage we've been fed.
We are the lucky ones
Foos and BBS tour would be the BOMB!!! Make it happen!!
I'm about 8 years older than Charlie but he inspired me to play just as much as Duane Dickey and Ricky Medlocke . He reignited the fire in me and proved southern rock was alive and well. Thanks Charlie!
Charlie's tone KILLER!
I'm a member of several guitar forums and anytime a thread is started about who your favorite musician is, it will always be Charlie Starr. The guy has amazing talent, writes incredible songs and is second to nobody, and every single song Blackberry Smoke plays is excellent.
Gotta love Charlie. He says it’s not a double stop it’s single notes and then he says his dog gets excited about the double stop. 🤣
Luvz me some Charlie Starr and
Blackberry Smoke!
God bless and take care...
Carrying On the Southern Rock with Country Folk together. The way it was from 65-74. Very Special Time in music. Go Charlie! Blackberry Smoke 🇺🇸🌄🦌
I was 11 years old in 1984. Bought 1984 on vinyl! Put side 2 on first by mistake, which started with Hot for Teacher. It started and me and my friend thought something was wrong with the record for a couple moments. Like the needle was dragging. Of course eventually the song played….what a trip. I was already a player for a few years. Not very good, but I could play in time and in tune. Immediately began sliding chords around making up my own tunes. I’m 50 now. No chance of becoming a music legend. But I love to play everyday. And still chasing tones.
I was 13 in 84 Van Halen was THE party band growing up. What a great album 1984
Cheers Chris for introducing this guy to me!! Killer 👍🏼👍🏼
LOVE Charlie Starr!! I'm loving the show, my favorite things gear, music, tour stories! Keep em coming learning something every episode.
Charlie Starr is the reason I play guitar. I had to learn a song on guitar for a school project my junior year, but I gave up after that. Then in August of 2021 I saw BlackBerry Smoke live and I couldn’t take my eyes off Charlie. I committed to guitar that night and haven’t looked back
I tell my 22 yr old son, the 80's were an amazing time period, being 54. RATT is my #1 . Fav band first concert fav guitarist. Along w Luk, Neal S, lynch, gary moore etc etc
My favorite band for the past 9 years or so!!!
I love Charlie. He’s such a great musician, songwriter and singer.
o
charlie star what a great guy learned a lot about guitar sounds.
Holy crap you guys are bringing up memories I haven’t had in years. Playing thru your sisters stereo and guys showing chords and songs and techniques. I’m ear to ear smile watching this. Thank you much you guys… I love you both…
One of my favorite. Looking forward to it.
@ 57:15 great question, and i agree that low action does something to how you play. Higher strings makes one play differently. More vocal like approach maybe.
Talked to Charlie ones after a concert in Belgium. Crazy talented yet super humble!
Blackberry smoke was on my bucket list got to see them At the Orange Blossom Review Review in Lake Wales Fl during covid amazing live performers ty for keeping southern rock alive
Charlie and I are from the same hometown. He's such a sweet, good person in addition to being a fabulous musician.
I think it's all been said already. Simply the best. One of the few persons that followed their heart and found the calling of the soul.
I saw Blackerry Smoke years ago when they played on a small trailer at Harley Davidson store in Dayton, OH. They were awesome and ROCKED the crowd!!! I love their music and Charlie Starr is tremendous!!
Shifty so glad you got Charlie on this show and Congratulations with New set up, BBS BAND is bringing back what a lot of folks are to young or just never sat down and listened to some Grand Ole Southern Rock! We as Guitar Player's were waiting on the thunder ⛈️⚡ to bring us back Home, TY Charlie and TY Shifty 4 bringing Charlie on, God Bless Southern Rock and all Music at a time we need real Musicians playing real Music 🤘🎸🤠🫶
Love BBS. Thank you for this great show. My first time watching you but wont be the last
Hey Chris, Thanks for your great interview with Charlie. I really love this format for analyzing guitar leads and Charlie is a master. Looking forward to your next interview! 🎸😎
Charlie and I listened to the exact same albums back in the 80s, love it! He's such a down to earth guy.
Blackberry Smoke got me into The Steelwoods, got me listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd B-sides, and started getting me back into Southern Rock. Charlie and Paul (and Benji!) have such a great dynamic, and Smoke shows are the most happy concerts I've ever been to! I model my bass playing after Rich now. Love this podcast!
That’s one of those solos like a Neil Peary drum part, everyone knows and is anticipating EVERY note. So good.
What a great interview. I particularly loved the part where Charlie was talking about his sons upbringing. As a parent of an accomplished guitarist and song writer, all I ever did was facilitate. In fact I bought him his first Gibson at age 13 in an effort to get the playstation controller out of his hand. I inadvertently caused what came later because he took to the guitar instantly. He was playing Statesboro blues slide parts in 6 weeks flat and it's been the biggest part of his life ever since. He is 22 now and in a solid working outfit that have written about 15 or so solid tunes and are playing the clubs in and around the southeast about 4 to 6 times a month. He is livin the life for sure.
Great interview. Charlie's the real thing! Had the opportunity to record a Blackberry bar gig around 2013 and instantly became a fan. So talented, and just as kind.
Such an awesome interview with Charlie . He rocks! Thank you Shifty for these awesome interviews!! Feels like you are right there with you and just hanging out talking about all things music!! Rock on!! Can’t wait to get my box set!!
I had the pleasure of FINALLY getting to see Mr Charlie Starr and Blackberry Smoke play live here in Grand Junction, CO..... I have been to many, many concerts and these guys were one of the VERY BEST... truly amazing musicianship from every one of these HOT Southern men..... 😮❤
Charlie is an ace player but the Blackberry Smoke songs are what makes him a classic
Thank you so much for this super interview. Charlie rocks! Just got to meet him again in Tacoma, Washington 15 September 2023. What a cool concert and the out of sight chance to have been invited back stage. Thank you George of the Emerald Queen Casino, manager of the venue, I believe. Got my ticket for Paris 28 September 2024 and getting one for Brussels, too. See you all at the shows! From near Paris, France.
this whole video is just
Such a great lesson! Charlie and Chris Thank you so much!!!
absolutely my favorite player...talent for days
I love Charlie’s playing. I saw a video recently of him and Joe Bonamassa jamming on a tune. It was interesting to listen to the different styles. JB was explosive as always, ripping through arpeggios and blues licks. Awesome! But then Charlie played a solo off of the melody, with chord tones slightly ahead or behind. You could sing along to the solo, the licks were so smooth but heavy too. Doubly awesome!
The band is true. They deserve success for many years ahead. God bless.
That mug would help my slide. Huh! I do appreciate Charlie Starr and his brood. Thanks for all the good music. Chris your alright.
Charlie has that classic country southern rock sound his playing is classy
Hearing Charlie say he doesnt understand theory to a college music student level and saying he doesnt always play solos the same or wings it speaks to me
Lol I never knew that cure song had that open b string included in that descending run lol
Thanks for showing me
Charlie Starr and Blackberry Smoke RULE!!!!!
Charlie is one of my favorite players still making relevant music today. And of course you too Chris.... Charlie is just ol school RnR attitude on guitar
Awesome !! Blackberry Smoke, who dosen't like there music ? I've seen them several times live. I'll continue to go see these guys when there on the road.
Charlie is such a great soul. One of the best.
What a great meeting between you and Charlie Starr. Learned a lot from listening to you both. Thank you.
As an intermediate scrub of a guitar player I appreciate your interview! Thanks for a great video!
My brothers son was the same way. We both tried to get him into it but he was not interested. Then one day my brother came home and he was playing the guitar in his bed room Now he’s playing keyboards guitar drums and he’s is a very good musician. We are so happy. I got him in a local band that we played together for a while. I’m not playing at this time but he’s still doing it and he’s in one of the best local bands in the area. It’s wonderful. We are all huge Black Berry Smoke fans. My brother has seen them so many times I can’t count. He even went to the red rock show. I’ve seen them about 6 times and they are so tight. One of my favorite bands. I got to meet Charlie behind his bus when we were going to open for them at the Richmond Hill Seafood festival. I think he’s one of the best song writers today as well Great show guys
very enjoyable chat and workshop. I dig it for sure.
Brilliant interview with my favourite guitar player. Great stuff
I listened to my first smoke album for three weeks straight on repeat never got old
I stumbled upon this interview somehow. I don’t even play guitar, but live music. This was a great interview!
been a fan of Black Berry Smoke for a long time . as for Charlie what great player . the w hole band are just awesome. sorry for the loss of britt. rip brother. sad
I finally got tickets to see Charlie in Roanoke in late December and can not wait!
Two geeks, geeking out and it is music to my totally non musical ears. Re-listening and so enjoying again the interview. Thanks, merci From France!
Goooner! Seen The Smoke live a few years ago at Shepherd's Bush Empire, great live band 😊👍
two nice guys chatting about their passion. I'm a huge Charlie Starr and BBS fan but dint really listen to the Foo Fighters. Chris Shiflett seems like quite a cool guy. time well spent watching this.
This was superb, such fun, The Smoke are a real favourite of mine, Charlie is so talented, brilliant singer, songwriter and guitarist, thanks for this 🎸😄
I love this series. Don't stop doing Shred with Shifty. I always learn something new.
Love your show ❤
Charlie brought me here. Subscribed
Love your show man. Charlie is great!!!!
Same experience with my son but he was playing Tony Hawk skateboard game and I was singing along with all the old punk songs. He like the music. He looked at me and asked how I knew all these songs. He now plays in several bands.
Half way through the hour and I'm really enjoying this talk amongst friends... Been a fan of BBS from the jump when I picked up a copy of Little Piece of Dixie... and Shifty is asking some great questions for Charlie whom I consider the torch bearer for carrying on Southern Rock today... along with his band mates of course... Learning a lot of history behind Mr. Starr's influences and playing style... so thanks Shifty... 😏👍🏽 Just stumbled upon this and subbed...
This was great! Thanks so much!! Love Charlie’s guitar playing. 🔥🔥🤟🤟🎸
Absolutely love Charlie Starr's sounds .... and I'm a drummer!! BBS are such an awesome band, love them!
Love this vid and Charlie!! Love him even more that he referenced Paul Kossoff and free !!! Thanks for sharing so much!!!
God I love pink guitars way to much, that shell pink tele is amazing!
Great episode Chris...Charlie Starr is the BEST...Love it!!! Rock on Brothers 🎸🎸🎸
Love the Blackberry Smoke group. There’s no other song covered as well as Got Lucky, with the violins…. well, maybe Powderfinger by Junkie Cowboys. 😅
Charlie is one of the best 🎉.
One of the best EVER ❤
The first time I saw BBS was at DeLunaFest in Pensacola in 2011. Been hooked ever since and have tried to see them anytime we can.
The coolest dude from the coolest band on the planet. Catch the smoke at least twice whenever they play the UK. I never had EVH as a major influence for Charlie but that puts him to God status! Have tickets for next tour here. It now makes sense that Eddie was an influence because Charlie is a Tone man through and through. Thank you for the music that medicine's my mind
Great lesson. Thanks, guys!
Man I hope you do more of these Chris, awesome interview. Lots of good nerdy guitar info, killer lesson on the Waiting on the Thunder solo, and just a super enjoyable hour. Love Charlie and Blackberry Smoke and hope you have a lot more friends you can bring in for more episodes of Shred with Shifty.
Great guitar player and cool guy.
been waiting for this episode!!!
Great player & credit to Chris - bloody clever way to get free guitar lessons from top 6 stringers! Charlie’s tone is killer too. Thanks fellas 👍👍
Just saw BBS in Bakersfield, they didn’t do play Waiting on the Thunder!!!😢 my favorite song. I think because it’s bakersfield they wanted to play more country stuff. First time seeing them. I’m always on tour. It’s like my band The Mentors not playing Four F Club. Waiting on the Thunder needs to be in the set!!!!
These are great! Keep them coming!!
First of all, great episode!!! I promise I mean no disrespect by what I’m about to say. I slowed down the solo tutorial part of the video to .5 and found comedic gold. It’s like you guys smoked a fat one and started trading licks. Thanks!!!
Abe Vigoda? Love the Barnie MIller "Fish" reference! Love you, Chris, and AMAZING episode with our absolute favorite Charlie Starr!
The 3 records that grabbed me in ‘84 was Billy Squier’s,”Signs Of Life,” Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In The USA” and Van Halen’s “1984.”
What a great interview. Two thoroughly nice chaps. Love Charlie Starr's playing. Sorry Chris, guess i'll have to check out more of your playing :) I've never seen The Foo Fighters live so that's one for my bucket list, cheers from the UK.
Great interview! New guitarists never had it so easy with all the available tools. TH-cam settings and playback speed were not around. I remember digitrak had "learn a lick" with the RP models. Legendary game changer! Rock on!~