I agreed and we walked in. Bear in mind that Chet was attired in a plaid shirt and slacks, wearing his glasses...rather reminded me of an uncle of mine. Unassuming. As we entered the store, a salesman who had sold me a drumkit a year earlier recognized me and asked how I was and if I needed help. He totally ignored Chet.

I looked the fellow and said, "No, I'm fine, but Mr. Atkins here would like to see your guitars."

The young man's mouth dropped to the floor and his eyes popped out.

Chet graciously and calmly shook his hand. I was then forgotten for the next half hour and could have robbed the store. The owners and all employees were gathered round Chet in the guitar section. Today, I tell friends it was like I went to shop for cars with Henry Ford.

Later, following the interview, I took Chet to lunch in the doctors' private dining room at the hospital. Once again, no fanfare. The doctors were all gabbing and eating....when one doctor, a rabid country fan, marches up to our table and in a loud and overdone announcement says, "Well, if it isn't Mr. Chet Atkins!!!"

Chet had a mouthfull of blackeyed peas and cornbread. He simply looked up, cleared his throat, put down his fork and said, "Howdy," with a polite nod.

The concert that evening was a beloved experience for 1,300 guests, who witenessed Chet's mastery, dry wit, and kindness. I was also quite surprised and honored when Chet called me out of the crowd to help out with a little vocal part on "Sneakin' Around" A photo of Chet and Suzy Bogguss, who opened that evening, is at http://www.bhcf.org/gala1992.cfm

Before the concert, I was backstage visiting with him and his band, when he called me aside, took out his checkbook, and wrote a large contribution to our Hospice program. Chet Atkins is the only entertainer I booked in ten years of shows with other legends who had the class to make a gift back to the case. Today, a plaque bearing the name "Chet Atkins, CGP" graces the wall of Baptist Medical Center.

It was at that concert that I became friends with Randy Hauser, Chet's drummer. Randy, who died a few years ago in his early 40's, took me as a protege and invited me to Nashville to study with him. Randy used my drumkit for his performance with Chet and Jerry Reed at the CAAS meeting that year; I helped with the load-in and sat at the very feet of Chet and Jerry during the performance. Randy was out of the same physcial mold as Chet's previous drummer, Larry Londin, who also died a few years back. Randy was exemplary of all of Chet's sidemen; accomplished yet understated gentlemen.

May God rest Chet Atkins, who graced us all.

Paul G. Alexander, CFRE

Executive Director Advancement and Alumni Services Auburn University Montgomery