Rene Martinez - July 26, 1995

Rene Martinez
July 26, 1995

To follow is the transcript for "Blues Chat Presents 'Tech to the Stars' RENE MARTINEZ," which I hosted July 26, 1995. Thank you to America Online for giving me permission to reprint this for y'all. Please do not quote from this without using the transcript in its entirety and remember, it is copyrighted by AOL. Please contact me for permission to reprint.

Regards,
Beverly Howell, Host
Blues Chat :)

BevBlues: Welcome to Blues Chat! I'm Beverly, your hostess this evening.

OnlineHost: The auditorium consists of two major areas: the audience, where you are right now, and the stage, where the speakers appear. Text which you type onscreen shows only to those in your row, prefaced by the row number in parentheses, such as (2) if you are in row 2. To interact with the speaker, use the Interact icon on your screen.

OnlineHost: To send your question to the speaker, click on the Interact icon, then use the Ask a Question option.

OnlineHost: Welcome to this Very Special Edition of "BLUES CHAT!" I'm very honored to present our guest tonight, "Tech to the Stars" RENE MARTINEZ!

OnlineHost: RENE will be answering your questions tonight about his past and current tour with JIMMIE VAUGHAN, and his responsibilities as Guitar Tech for other greats such as STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN, EDIE BRICKELL, FOREIGNER, BILLY JOEL, PRINCE, CLINT BLACK, WYNONNA JUDD, and the MOODY BLUES!

OnlineHost: When RENE tours with JIMMIE VAUGHAN, he not only serves as his Guitar Tech, he also is a respected member of the band. RENE performs the flamenco lead-in and accompaniment in JIMMIE'S song, "Flamenco Dancer," on both the "Strange Pleasure" CD and in all live appearances. RENE'S masterful guitar playing was recently captured on video during JIMMIE & THE TILT-A-WHIRL band's appearance on Austin City Limits.

OnlineHost: Not only is this RENE'S first appearance on America Online, it will be one of the first times he has agreed to answer questions regarding his relationship with STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN in a public forum. RENE was hired by STEVIE RAY in 1985 and traveled extensively and exclusively with him and DOUBLE TROUBLE until STEVIE'S death in 1990.

OnlineHost: RENE is an extremely important part of any artist's team. His personal commitment extends beyond primary job responsibilities. He not only repairs, cases and uncases all instruments, he also sets up equipment, performs sound checks, and handles any last minute details.

OnlineHost: RENE is a trusted and supportive friend and consultant for all artists he tours with. His commitment and hard work has earned him his title as "TECH TO THE STARS."

OnlineHost: I'm proud to introduce RENE MARTINEZ! :) :)

BevBlues: Hi, Rene, I'm so glad to have you! :)

ReneMrtnz: Hi everybody how are you all doing? I'm really glad to be here. It's an honor and a privilege to be here with you Beverly, and on America Online.

BevBlues: Thanks for taking some time out of your schedule for us...ready for a few questions? :)

ReneMrtnz: Yes, yes I am.

Question: How old were you when you got your start with the guitar?

ReneMrtnz: I started with the guitar at age approximately 9 or 10 years old.

Question: Are you familiar with Robbie Krieger of the Doors? He had great flamenco style also.

ReneMrtnz: No, I'm not. I wish I knew more about his Flamenco style.

Question: Do you have any records out, Rene? What label? I love your playing!

ReneMrtnz: No I do not. No records, CDs, cassettes. The only recorded piece is on Jimmie's album STRANGE PLEASURE. Unfortunately it's only about 15 sec...But maybe some day...after all. :::chuckling::: I'm just a Roadie.

BevBlues: But that is 15 MAGNIFICENT seconds, Rene. :) :)

Question: What kind of music is your favorite? What do you listen to when you're off the road?

ReneMrtnz: Flamenco is my number one. I also, on my off time, I listen to Mozart, Beethoven, their operas and their piano concertos. Jazz, and then everything else.

Question: What does a guitar tech do?

ReneMrtnz: My job as a guitar technician is to oversee the complete maintenance, upkeep, to be in tune, to change guitars with the stars during the performance, and to be on top of their every demand. To make it happen like you've done it a million times, and with a smile on your face.

Question: What is it like working with Prince--he is portrayed to the public as being so strange.

ReneMrtnz: It was great working with Prince. I had a chance to know the man in the one week that I worked with him. And I was able to know what kind of guitar tone he was looking for and gave it to him. As the crew told me, I was lucky to last 2 days. I lasted an entire week. He is not strange. He is very human. He is just a star AND a very good guitar player.

Question: Where did you study classical and flamenco guitar?

ReneMrtnz: I studied classical in Austin, Texas, and progressed to Dallas for further instruction. I dabbled in flamenco as a side line and just bought records and listened to them over and over and over...I am basically self-taught in flamenco.

Question: What was your first guitar and where is it now?

ReneMrtnz: My first guitar was an electric guitar...it was a Maxitone. It is still at my parents house.

Question: I'm also a flamenco guitarist, and I've been looking for a nylon string MIDI guitar system. Is there such a thing that works well enough for flamenco playing?

ReneMrtnz: I am not familiar with any MIDI components for flamenco guitar at the present time. But I'm sure there are some components out there for them. I just play the natural guitar. I do use a transducer, with an outboard equalizer. The microphone does not amplify it loud enough and I obtain a very natural sound with this combination.

BevBlues: A comment from one of your fans, Rene:

Comment: You will NEVER be JUST a roadie...:D We love ya, Rene...:)

ReneMrtnz: ::smiles::: I love you. :D

Question: Do you think there will ever be a guitar player w/ the style of SRV?

ReneMrtnz: There will always be just one Stevie. I can't say yes to that one.

Question: Rene, do you have a favorite road story you could share with us?

ReneMrtnz: Yes. My favorite road was when Jimmie and Stevie decided to have me as their opening act. And Stevie was going to introduce me. When it was time for me to be introduced Stevie was "out of pocket" (not there) and Jimmie decided to introduce me. He introduced himself as Stevie Ray and brought me on stage to perform.

Question: Rene, what's it like to work with Jimmie? He doesn't ask you to do his hair, does he?

ReneMrtnz: :::laughing:::: No. He does his own hair. He's wonderful to work for. Not only as a business partner, but as a friend as well. We are very close.

BevBlues: Another comment for you, Rene:

Comment: Hello, Rene. I saw you with Stevie at the Toledo Zoo. I remember watching you as much as him. YOU are great!

ReneMrtnz: Wow, that's fantastic. You never think that anyone is watching you except for the stars on stage. I'll have to remember to wear the shirt with holes in it. Thank you.

Comment: Rene, I was at the Holiday Star Theater in Indiana when you did your first opening for Stevie

ReneMrtnz: That's where I first opened up for Jimmie and Stevie. I hope you enjoyed what you saw. :::smile:::

Question: What was it like to work with Stevie, Rene? Did he have any interesting "quirks"?

ReneMrtnz: He was easy to please. My big job was to maintain his amplifiers to be in good working order, and his guitar as well. He had a foot pedal that was called a Fuzzface that we had a lot of trouble keeping in working order. So I had to make sure that I had enough working parts on hand to make repairs...not only after the show... but during the show as well.

Question: Rene, what gauge strings do you use on Jimmie's 62 strat? What brand does Jim prefer?

ReneMrtnz: Jimmie uses D'Addarrio strings. Gauges 11 thru 49.

Question: Rene, have the plans to tour with B.B.King changed since the passing of Briz? A great tragedy felt by his many fans.

ReneMrtnz: We are still going on tour with B.B. King, and we will be rehearsing with substitutes for the show. It's unfortunate...I'm very sad that Briz can't be with us to do this tour. But we will go on and think about him when we perform. He was a great guy, a great professional, and a wonderful human being to know and to work with.

Question: I've been listening to "Family Style" since we started ... I bet that was a fun album to Asst. Produce and Tech for? Any "special" stories from that recording?

ReneMrtnz: Yes...it was great to be involved with Jimmie and Stevie. Mainly to see Jimmie and Stevie work together. A rare opportunity for me to see two brothers work diligently, producing some of the finest material they can come up with. Probably far too many stories to mention on this one question. You have to catch me sometime on the road and spend about an hour recalling all those days.

BevBlues: Rene, many folks have asked, "Where is Stevie's strat? Does Jimmie have it?"

ReneMrtnz: I don't know who in particular has his guitar, but I know the "family" has it.

BevBlues: Rene, we have time for one last question..... What's on the horizon? Aren't you about to leave on a tour with Jimmie?

ReneMrtnz: Yes. On tour with Jimmie Vaughan, traveling with Etta James and B.B. King. We will be traveling the far Northwest and Canada, throughout the United States...and far Northeast in Canada. Approximately 8 weeks of touring. Begins August 3rd..ending September 25th.

BevBlues: Rene, you were as blessed to work with Stevie, as Stevie was to work with you. Thank you so much for being our Blues Chat guest tonight... :) Rene, any closing words for our audience?

ReneMrtnz: Thank you very much for having me. It makes my heart sing to have been on this show. :::smiling::: Goodnight everyone.

BevBlues: Thanks to our audience for making this every special evening happen. Thank you Rene! Good night everyone!

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