Chet exhibit at the CMHOF -- heaps of praise, one concern

[mark reinhart]

I just got back home tonight from seeing the Chet exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Obviously, since I'm a lifelong Chet fan, I just loved it -- it was very inspiring and moving. But there was one thing about it that bothered me just a little bit -- did anyone else notice that it does not make any mention of Paul? He does not show up anywhere in the text, photos, videos, etc. Since he was Chet's right-hand man for so long, it seems that he should be included in some way in the exhibit -- after all, Chet said in the book ME AND MY GUITARS that Paul had logged more miles with him and knew him better than just about anyone.

In my opinion, the best way to include Paul would be to update the exhibit's text about the C.G.P. award. The text could state that when the exhibit opened, the Atkins family elected to give Paul the last C.G.P. award ever bestowed on any guitarist. By the way, if I'm wrong about this and Paul IS included somewhere in the exhibit, please let me know -- maybe I missed something! But I really pored over everything, and did not see Paul at all.

[Mike Nye]

I AGREE . . . Kinda lika Lone Ranger Exhibit without any mention of Tonto :- (~

[BillB]

Surely there must be something there. After all, they gave that award to Paul right there at the CMHOF at Chet's exhibit. If they don't, they definitely need to make an addition to the exhibit.

Bill B.

[bill_h]

I'm with you 100% Mark. The first time I went to the exhibit Paul's commentary was included on the dvd with the rest of the CGP's. The next time I went to the exhibit, Paul's commentary had been removed. I even filled out one of those comment cards at the CMHOF and posted a message on this board. As much as I love the Chet Exhibit, it's incomplete without Paul!

[mark reinhart]

Bill, your post makes me even more curious as to why Paul is absent from the CMHOF exhibit. The Hall elected to CUT all of Paul's commentary from the video presentation? Why on earth would they have done that? One of the things that is so wonderful about the exhibit is that so many of the folks who were close to Chet personally and professionally show up in one form or another -- Leona Atkins, Merle Atkins, Jerry Reed, Tommy Emmanuel, John Knowles, Steve Wariner, Dolly Parton, Ray Stevens, Don Gibson, Mark Knopfler, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Jethro Burns, the list goes on and on. And no Paul? It just doesn't seem right. Do any of our in-the-know Chetboard friends have any thoughts on why Paul is not mentioned in the exhibit? Mr. Knowles, do you think you might be able to give us a bit of insight on this?

[Mike Nye]

Somethings REALLY WRONG here ! ! !

The HOF people research EVERYTHING down to the LAST detail, so it makes absolutely NO SENSE that Paul Yandell isn't PROMINENTLY MENTIONED in the exhibit.

His 25 year career as Chet's MAIN MAN means NOTHING ? ? ?

The HOF really needs to WAKE UP ! ! !

[Joeb]

IMHO That exhibit is supposed to be all about Chet as it should be. If they had to name every person that came in touch with Chet and that backed him up guys like Homer and Jethro etc. it would be crazy to try and do so as the list would never end. We all know Paul was a person that not into the HEY IT'S ME TYPE OF THING or getting the CGP award from Chet as he so stated.when on this earth. He was a good and humble person when it came to his family ,guitar and in life. Why not mention Ray Butts or Fred Gretsch in the exhibit? They played a bigger part in Chet's guitar history of making music. Just my take on it. Joeb.

[Mike Nye]

Well joeb,

I agree with you to a point in regards to not everyone can be mentioned, like Ray Butts, Fred Gretsch etc., but, we're talking about the guy who stood next to Chet for 25-years ! ! !

It's not like Tony Bennett's piano accompanist/arranger Ralph Sharon, who just played in the background, Paul swapped licked and joked back and forth to the point of being Chet's 'frontman,' which I've often him referred to as over the years. We're not talking about headlining Paul, just his inclusion into the history of Chet Atkins' career.

After all, look back at all the time Paul spent with us so Chet's legacy didn't just fade off into the sunset after his passing; not to mention his MAJOR CONTRIBUTION in the resurrection of the Gretsch Chet Atkins guitars ! ! !

I don't know about you guys, but I believe an HONORABLE MENTION of Paul would be most appropriate.

Mike

[RandeDager]

Mike, I have to agree with you. Paul's relationship with Chet was much more personal and visible than the others
mentioned. They definitely had an influence on Chet's sound but Paul wasn't "behind the scenes" like they were.
When you watched Chet perform live on stage, you usually saw Paul. Your take is my take!

[mark reinhart]

Joeb, I agree that the exhibit can't mention every last musician that Chet worked with. But since the name of the exhibit is "Certified Guitar Player" and contains quite a bit of info about the C.G.P. award, the last-ever guitarist to ever be handed the award should be included. And I think you're right, Paul probably wouldn't be bothered by this oversight -- I just think to tell Chet's story properly, Paul needs to be a part of it.