Chet Atkins was known around the world as as “Mr. Guitar” and “The Country Gentleman”. He was not only a guitar player, but an occasional vocalist, songwriter, and a record producer.
He helped to create the country music style that came to be known as the Nashville sound. This style expanded country music’s appeal to adult pop music fans. Though he’s primarily known as a guitarist, he also played the mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and ukulele.
Atkins’ signature picking style, “Travis Picking”, was inspired by Merle Travis. This distinctive picking style and general playing ability has brought him admirers around the world, awe well as impacting generations of players (like Tommy Emmanuel).
Atkins received 14 Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received nine Country Music Association awards for Instrumentalist of the Year. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
One of my personal favorites is his Windy and Warm.
Chester Burton “Chet” Atkins lived from June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001.
Resources
If you’re a fan of Spotify, here’s a couple tunes to get you started:
- “Yakety Axe”: https://open.spotify.com/track/5RSRuJXC5UZBQFF90NTRpf
- “Mister Sandman”: https://open.spotify.com/track/1r3EkXlsanQNI84IUaPTo9
Website
Albums
Gear
- Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gentleman. more info
- Gretsch 6120. more info
- Sears Roebuck Silvertone. more info
- Gibson L-10. more info
- D’Angelico Excel. more info
- Gibson Studio Classic. more info
- Peavey T-60. more info
- 6163 Chet Atkins piggyback tremolo reverb amplifier. more info
- Gretsch Nashville Amplifier. more info
- 1954 Standel 25L15 Combo. more info
[…] More […]