First Day Cover Query

[emjaybee94]

As a matter of interest, when did Chet first use "CGP" at the end of his signature? I ask because someone is selling a First Day Cover on Ebay with Chet's signature + CGP and it's dated 1968. I was under the impression that Chet didn't award himself that title until the 1980s.

Regards
Mike

[EdNilo]

It may have been signed many years after the FDC was issued.

[Norm]

The actual CGP award started in 1990. (Jerry Reed got the first one)

I looked in my stash of Chet related documents and found an interview that came out around the time Almost Alone was released (1996) where the writer said this:

"...In 1983, he modestly tagged his name with 'CGP', which stands for Certified Guitar Player - a bit tongue in cheek perhaps, but just part of the humorous side of this multi-talented man..."

Having said that I myself have taken the LP's out of their cardboard sleeves and taken them to where an artist was playing to have them signed which is what EdNilo suggests could be what happened in this case.

As a matter off fact years ago an ex student of mine sent me the album cover for a "Best Of Chet Atkins" endorsed to me by Chet with "CGP" at the signature and that album came out in 1964 so my student obviously took an older cover to Chet for signing.

Hope that helps... prob'ly doesn't...

[emjaybee94]

I asked the question on Ebay and got the reply from the vendor that EdNilo suggests.
Regards
Mike