Article by Auburn Walker

Guitar player Chet Atkins holds a place in music history kept for a really select few! His contributions to country music songs are tremendous as is his effect on guitar players worldwide. Basically put, country music would not be the same nowadays if it weren’t for Chet Atkins. Chet is likely the most recorded instrumentalist in the history of popular music! His guitar playing has graced the recordings of Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Hank Williams, Jerry Reed and Les Paul to name but a few. Initially a disciple of country fingerstyle guitar legend Merle Travis, Chet’s ground breaking guitar work all through his recording career of over 50 years has in turn guided the styles of such notable guitar players as Mark Knopfler, Eric Johnson and George Harrison. Though his virtuosity on the instrument is well acknowledged, his skills were not constrained to the guitar alone. As a producer for RCA Victor record company he is frequently credited for single-handedly producing the “Nashville Sound” as we know it today – fusing the twang of conventional country with a pop sensibility. His number of producer credits reads like a “who’s who” in well-liked country music which includes Patsy Klein, Waylan Jennings, Charlie Pride, Elvis Presley and Jerry Reed. He also discovered and signed such legendary artists as Dolly Parton, Ronnie Milsap, Willie Nelson, and Steve Wariner while also finding the time to release collection books of his own country guitar tabs.

» Read more: Chet Atkins – The Most Awesome Country Music Guitar Picker Ever – Part 1