Background
Chester Burton Atkins was born on June 20, 1924, in Luttrell, Tennessee, United States. He was the son of James J. and Ida (Sharp) Atkins.
6215 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, United States
Portrait of, from left, American musicians Les Paul, Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, and Freddie Fender, as they pose together during the 19th annual Grammy Awards at the Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, California, February 19, 1977.
1980
Chet Atkins with his guitar, New York.
1980
Chet Atkins with his guitar, New York.
1980
Chet Atkins with his guitar, New York.
Chet Atkins
Chet Atkins standing in front of RCA recording studio
1611 Roy Acuff Pl, Nashville, TN 37203, United States
Elvis Presley, sitting in a chair during a break from recording new record at the RCA studio in Nashville while Steve Sholes, is talking to producer Chet Atkins in the background.
Chet Atkins
Guitarists Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed perform together onstage on acoustic guitars at a telethon in circa 1970.
Chet Atkins
Chet Atkins
Chet Atkins
Chet Atkins
Chet Atkins
1611 Roy Acuff Pl, Nashville, TN 37203, United States
Chet Atkins poses with his guitar in the RCA Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, April 4, 1960.
American guitarist Chet Atkins performs on stage in London, England in October 1979.
818 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415, United States
Chet Atkins performs at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 18, 1993.
Country singer Johnny Wright and the Tennessee Hillbillies (L-R) Unidentified, Chet Atkins, Kitty Wells, and Johnny Wright pose for a portrait circa 1942 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Country singer and actor Jim Reeves with Bobby Bare, Anita Kerr and Chet Atkins circa 1960 in Nashville, Tennessee.
818 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415, United States
Chet Atkins and Adrian Legg pose for a portrait at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 18, 1993.
818 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415, United States
Chet Atkins performs at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 18, 1993.
Chet Atkins playing the guitar.
Chet Atkins performing on stage.
Chet Atkins playing his electric guitar.
Chet Atkins playing his acoustic guitar.
Chet Atkins, portrait, c 1965.
2804 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214, United States
Chet Atkins onstage at the Grand Ole Opry, 20th century.
8 Argyll St, Soho, London W1F 7TF, United Kingdom
Mark Knopfler, of the band 'Dire Straits', and Chet Atkins, performing on stage at 'The Secret Policeman's Ball' at the London Palladium, March 1987.
6215 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, United States
Portrait of, from left, American musicians Les Paul, Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, and Freddie Fender, as they pose together during the 19th annual Grammy Awards at the Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, California, February 19, 1977.
Memphis, TN 38105, United States
Singer/Songwriter Chet Atkins performs during Elvis: The Tribute at The Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tennessee, on October 08, 1994.
Eddy Arnold, Grand Pa Jones, and Chet Atkins on February 18, 1994 in Nashville, Tennessee.
140 Chastain Park Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30342, United States
Chet Atkins and Friends perform at Chastain Park Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia on July 1, 1995.
140 Chastain Park Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30342, United States
Chet Atkins and Friends perform at Chastain Park Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia on July 1, 1995.
140 Chastain Park Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30342, United States
Chet Atkins performs at Chastain Park Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia on July 1, 1995.
140 Chastain Park Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30342, United States
Chet Atkins and Mark Collie backstage at Chastain Park Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia on July 1, 1995.
140 Chastain Park Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30342, United States
Chet Atkins performs during Chet Atkins & Friends at Chastain Park Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia on July 1, 1995.
(This tribute contains twenty-two of Chet's greatest solos...)
This tribute contains twenty-two of Chet's greatest solos and duets along with interviews with his daughter, Merle Atkins Russell and close friends such as Jerry Reed, Vince Gill, Eddy Arnold, Don Mclean and many others.
https://www.amazon.sg/Chet-Atkins-Three-Dimensions-1/dp/0786670452/ref=sr_1_6?qid=1575967182&refinements=p_27%3AChet+Atkins&s=books&sr=1-6
1955
(This book of hymn arrangements as recorded by Chet Atkins...)
This book of hymn arrangements as recorded by Chet Atkins was done in hopes that other guitarists will benefit from the availability of beautiful hymns for guitar, both for use in worship services and for personal enjoyment as well.
https://www.amazon.sg/Chet-Atkins-Plays-Back-Hymns/dp/0786626011/ref=sr_1_8?qid=1575967182&refinements=p_27%3AChet+Atkins&s=books&sr=1-8
1962
(This is an updated edition of Chet Atkin's famous guitar ...)
This is an updated edition of Chet Atkin's famous guitar method. It contains numerous picking studies, chord etudes and great Atkin's style guitar solos. Written in notation and tablature. Includes access to online audio.
https://www.amazon.sg/Complete-Chet-Atkins-Guitar-Method/dp/0786691476/ref=sr_1_5?qid=1575967182&refinements=p_27%3AChet+Atkins&s=books&sr=1-5
1964
(Learn the trademark riffs and licks behind one of the mos...)
Learn the trademark riffs and licks behind one of the most influential recording artists of all time and one of the founders of the Nashville sound. This book features analysis and lessons for 12 Atkins hits along with access to online audio featuring full demos.
https://www.amazon.sg/Best-Chet-Atkins-Chad-Johnson/dp/063405659X/ref=sr_1_9?qid=1575967182&refinements=p_27%3AChet+Atkins&s=books&sr=1-9
1964
(Chet Atkins is one of guitar's living legends. In this bo...)
Chet Atkins is one of guitar's living legends. In this book you will find the best of Chet's contemporary recordings completely transcribed in both tablature and standard notation, including several duets with Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler.
https://www.amazon.sg/Chet-Atkins-Contemporary-Styles/dp/079352220X/ref=sr_1_4?qid=1575967182&refinements=p_27%3AChet+Atkins&s=books&sr=1-4
1995
('Neck and Neck' is the matching folio to the award-winnin...)
'Neck and Neck' is the matching folio to the award-winning Album of the same name by Mark Knopfler and Chet Atkins, Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame and Chet Atkins, the World-renowned country guitarist and studio player all in a guitar tab book.
https://www.amazon.sg/Mark-Knopfler-Chet-Atkins-Neck/dp/079357014X/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1575967122&refinements=p_27%3AChet+Atkins&s=books&sr=1-2
1996
(The book includes full-color photos of Chet and his guita...)
The book includes full-color photos of Chet and his guitars, many only previously seen in a limited collector's edition.
https://www.amazon.sg/Chet-Atkins-Me-My-Guitars/dp/0634055658/ref=sr_1_14?qid=1575967182&refinements=p_27%3AChet+Atkins&s=books&sr=1-14
2003
(Mel Bay presents the much-anticipated second book in the ...)
Mel Bay presents the much-anticipated second book in the highly acclaimed series that showcases personal insights into the life and music of 'Mr. Guitar.' ChetAtkins was a man of many layers: producer, record executive, friend and one of the greatest all-round guitarist in music history. This book is dedicated to the musicians and songwriters that meant so much to him. Interviews include: Dolly Parton, Steve Wariner, John D. Loudermilk, Mark Knopfler, Paul Yandell, Jerry Byrd, Janis Ian, Boots Randolph, Wayne Carson and many more of Chet's closest friends.
https://www.amazon.sg/Chet-Atkins-Three-Dimensions-2/dp/0786658770/ref=sr_1_7?qid=1575967182&refinements=p_27%3AChet+Atkins&s=books&sr=1-7
2004
(For each song you'll learn the chords, the melody, plus s...)
For each song you'll learn the chords, the melody, plus some of Chet's hottest licks. Tips on tuning, changing chords, fingerpicking, and much more are carefully explained. Includes a DVD.
https://www.amazon.sg/Get-Started-Guitar-Chet-Atkins/dp/0786674849/ref=sr_1_12?qid=1575967182&refinements=p_27%3AChet+Atkins&s=books&sr=1-12
2006
(The Guitar Play-Along Series will help you play your favo...)
The Guitar Play-Along Series will help you play your favorite songs quickly and easily! Just follow the tab, listen to the audio to hear how the guitar should sound, and then play along using the separate backing tracks. The melody and lyrics are also included in the book in case you want to sing, or to simply help you follow along.
https://www.amazon.sg/Guitar-Play-Along-59-Chet-Atkins/dp/1458402991/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Chet+Atkins&qid=1575964833&s=gateway&sr=8-3
2014
Guitarist musician publisher author
Chester Burton Atkins was born on June 20, 1924, in Luttrell, Tennessee, United States. He was the son of James J. and Ida (Sharp) Atkins.
Chester attended the Mountain Hill School.
Chet Atkins took up guitar at an early age but first performed on Knoxville’s WNOX as a fiddler, a sideman for Johnnie Wright and Jack Anglin, and Kitty Wells. Atkins moved on to Cincinnati’s WLW, Nashville’s WSM, and Springfield, Missouri’s KWTO, backing artists such as the Carter Sisters and Red Foley during the 1940s.
In 1950 Steve Sholes of RCA offered the guitarist his first contract. Atkins returned to Nashville and immediately became a prominent studio artist. His musical talents and friendship with Sholes led to his appointment as Sholes’s Nashville assistant in 1952. When RCA built its own studio in 1957, Atkins managed it. He played the Newport Jazz Festival in 1960; in 1961, he performed at the White House. Atkins had his first Top 5 hit in 1965 with a reworking of Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax," retitled "Yakety Axe;" in addition to being a sizable country hit, the song crossed over to the pop charts. Atkins' role behind the scene was thriving as well. Before long, Sholes turned over RCA’s country operations to his protégé, and by 1968 Atkins was a vice-president at RCA.
The following year, Atkins had his last major hit single, "Country Gentleman." In the late '60s and early '70s, several minor hits followed, but only one song, "Prissy" (1968), made it into the Top 40. Instead, the guitarist's major musical contribution in the early part of the '70s was with Homer and Jethro. Under the name the Nashville String Band, the trio released five albums between 1970 and 1972. Following Homer's death, Atkins continued to work with Jethro. The guitarist wanted to record a jazz album, but he was met with resistance by the label.
Atkins supervised other producers, produced many of his own recordings, and signed such artists as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Jerry Reed, and Charley Pride. As an instrumentalist and producer, Atkins broadened the country music sound to compete with the growing popularity of rock music. By shaping the Nashville Sound, he strengthened the city’s position as a recording center and helped establish its fame as Music City.
Atkins legitimized the role of the country guitar soloist throughout his career with dozens of albums showcasing his unique "galloping guitar" picking style. The Gretsch and Gibson guitar companies even brought out guitar models built to Atkins's specifications. In 1982, Atkins ended his 35-year association with RCA and signed with Columbia, releasing his first album for the label, Work It Out With Chet Atkins, in 1983. Chet continued to perform and record his albums until his death on June 29, 2001.
('Neck and Neck' is the matching folio to the award-winnin...)
1996(This book of hymn arrangements as recorded by Chet Atkins...)
1962(The Guitar Play-Along Series will help you play your favo...)
2014(This tribute contains twenty-two of Chet's greatest solos...)
1955(Learn the trademark riffs and licks behind one of the mos...)
1964(Mel Bay presents the much-anticipated second book in the ...)
2004(The book includes full-color photos of Chet and his guita...)
2003(For each song you'll learn the chords, the melody, plus s...)
2006(This is an updated edition of Chet Atkin's famous guitar ...)
1964(Chet Atkins is one of guitar's living legends. In this bo...)
1995Jazz had always been a strong love of his, and often in his career, he was criticized by "pure" country musicians for his jazz influences. He also said on many occasions that he did not like being called a "country guitarist", insisting that he was "a guitarist, period". Although he played 'by ear' and was a masterful improviser he was able to read music and even performed some classical guitar pieces. Chet's picking style was inspired by Merle Travis, Django Reinhardt, George Barnes and Les Paul. He was admired for it across music styles and geographical borders.
Chester was a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Federation of Musicians, and Country Music Association.
Part of Chet's talent included being able to play chords and push out a melody line at the same time, using his trademark thumb and three-finger playing style, a technique he developed trying to mimic Merle Travis' thumb and one-finger style.
Physical Characteristics: Chet had spent many years battling cancers, including colon cancer in the '70s and a brain tumor in 1997.
On June 3, 1947, Chet married Leona Johnson. They had one child, Merle.