The Chetboard

Born this day, June 20, 1924.

...and the world of guitaring and music were the better for it

Most of us cannot fathom what Chet went through to become what he was. He has always been a great role model for me and I continue to find inspiration from him. Thanks for the reminder, Craig.

We are all blessed to have lived during the time of Chet Atkins. He taught us so much about playing guitar and music in general. His influence will still be felt for years to come. Thanks Chet!

Chet taught us all how to play guitar. He is still teaching us, and will continue to teach us for as long as we hold a guitar in our arms. Stan.

Chet pioneered many things related to performing on the guitar, recording the guitar, and guitar effects which are used by so many these days. Tape delay, (Snowbird) and digital delay (Jam Man) were a couple of examples. There are sooooo many others. He influenced and encouraged countless guitar players to pick up the instrument and do great and wonderful things with it.

I got to attend a Tommy Emmanuel concert last night (19 June 2012) in Mesa. Tommy always has a tribute to Merle Travis and Chet through their tunes. Obviously, he considered Chet to be a father figure as he related the story of a conversation they had about their own fathers, and the tribute song to their father that Chet, and now Tommy sings at their concerts. Tommy closed the main part of his show with a long medley of Chet tunes. He has long mentioned the profound influence that Chet had on his career, and last night was no exception. Chet's influence will be around for an extremely long time.

It will be impossible to ignore the first person to have done so many things related to music in general. and the guitar specifically. Like it has been said...."It is not for nothing that he (Chet) is known as Mr. Gutar."

As I was anticipating this day several weeks ago I couldn't help but to recognize the significance of the fact that he would have been 88 today. I consider this to be a "musical number", of course primarily associated with pianists, but recognized also by others. He was only 45 when I met him and from then on was as much a part of my daily thinking as was any of my family members.

Just thought I'd put my two cents in here. The first time I heard a Chet Atkins record in 1965 (Freight Train was the first tune to come up) was a life-changing moment for me. I remember thinking "now, that's the style I want to learn!" One of my daughters takes at least some interest in my playing and I told her there are certain things you just can't do on the guitar but, Chet Atkins did them! -Tom W.

I can always remember Chet's birthday, because my birthday also is June 20th. I am 51 today, and like many of you have been a fan of Chet's since I was a young boy. I still remember when I was ten years old reading a short biography of Chet on the the back of the album The Best of Chet Atkins and learning that Chet and I shared the same birthday; though it's merely coincidence, I always consider it an honor. Though I never knew him personally, Chet has been an important part of my life for 41 years.

May Chet's music and his influence on guitar players everywhere live on as long as people continue to play music. He truly was and is the best guitarist ever.

Jeff Stovall

I've been working with a 4 week summer robotics camp for 6th graders going into 7th grade. One of the other teachers said she wished we had some music playing in the background, so I put on Chet's Solo Sessions. Everyone seemed fine with it, and if I don't get the music playing, the other teacher reminds me. So, the small group of kids, our high school helpers, and the other adults have been hearing Chet, Tommy, Steve Wariner, and a little Larry Carlton. Mostly, they are hearing Chet, and today the kids got all excited when they recognized Jam Man from the commercial that uses it. I told the kids that it's one of the greatest guitar players that ever lived. Hoping they will learn to appreciate his music down the road.

Bill B.