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The first time I met Chet was about 1963. I think I was 13. My dad had taken me to Nashville to visit a friend of his, Norro Wilson. I think Norro at this time was running Warner Brother records. Norro asked what I would like to see, and of course I said I wanted to meet Chet Atkins, never
thinking anything that wonderful would or could happen. The next thing I
knew, I was being taken to meet Chet in his office in the RCA Studio
building in Nashville. I'm not sure if I was able to do anything other than
stand there with my jaw dropped open. Chet gave me a couple of albums,
which he autographed. I can remember feeling real stupid and thinking, "why
didn't I say something?"In later years probably about 1974 or so, one of the more memorable meetings
happened when Tommy Jones and I were both still living in Nashville and we
were out running around one night. Tommy said he was supposed to met Chet
at this steak house for a minute and asked me to come along. Well he didn't
have to ask me twice and besides, we were in my car. Anyway, when we got
there Chet was already eating, so Tommy and I went to sit at his table.
Tommy introduced me. I think I just sat there with my jaw dropped opened -again.
While we were there, Dwayne Eddy walked up and Chet introduced us. Chet actually
remembered my name and just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Chet asked
if we wanted to go with him to hear a friend of his who was in town doing a concert.
This friend turned out to be John Knowles, who was also a friend of mine. Well we left
the steak house and Chet said, "I'll just ride with you if that's alright." (note: I'd
have carried him on my back if he'd wanted.) I could not believe it - here I was, a
little guitar picker in Nashville with CHET ATKINS riding in my car to a concert that
he had invited me to. Whoa... At the concert, Chet, sat between Tommy and I, and
talked about how they did things at his concerts and stuff. I had to pinch myself
repeatedly to make sure I wasn't dreaming. John played fantastically by the
way.After many months, I finally did wash the inside of the
car - reluctantly.- Charles David Alexander
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