Pre-Birthday Sale!

[John McClellan]

Dear Friends,

From now until September 10 (my birthday), I am running a special sale on the DVD series, "Chet Atkins in Three Dimensions" The Music. When you purchase the bundle (all 3 volumes), I will include, FREE of charge the "Solo Sessions Chet Atkins" book.

This is a tremedous value and I am very happy to offer this special sale! Please upon purchase,to recieve the Solo Session book, leave a note for me concerning this offer...the code is: Happy Birthday!

http://www.chetatkinssolosessions.com

Also, many of you have inquired into the playlist of the new "Slightly Above Below Average" CD - A Tribute to Chet Atkins by his Friends (soon to be available via the website)

Here is the tune list:

Caravan with Vince Gill
Smile with Suzy Bogguss
Choro Da Saudade
Terry's Wedding
12th Street Rag with Frank Vignola
When you Wish Upon a Star
Drive In with Jack Pearson
Muskrat Ramble
Waltz for Leona (composed by Jorge Morel - World Premiere)
Galloping on the Guitar with Ray Flacke
Country Gentleman with Martin Taylor Mbe
How's the World Treating You with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
Avalon with Boots Randolph
Deed I Do with Corey Christiansen
Amanda
Just Guitars with Don Jones
Baby's Coming Home with Tim Thompson
Manha de Carnival with Janis Ian and Kevin Eubanks (of Jay Leno - Tonight Show fame)
Ave Maria with Tommy Emmanuel and Kirk Hanser
The End of the World with Bill Piburn
Slightly Above Below Average with the Superpickers (Mark Knopfler, Ray Flacke,Pat Bergeson, Johnny Hiland, Richard Smith, Tommy E. and many others....)

Nearly 68 minutes of great playing...proceeds benefit Chet's Educational Fund.


Thanks,
John

[Tony Enamel]

That album track list sounds exciting, John!

You should have birthday more often, if you come up with this kind of news everytime!!!

Can you shed some more light on the background of that compilation?

Thanks,

Ingo

[John McClellan]

Ingo,

Yes, the history of this recording began shortly after Chet's passing. With the consent of his family and the Professional Trust I recorded in trio with Tommy and my duo partner, Kirk Hanser "Ave Maria." My friend, the legendary Bill Porter was at the recording console. As I was able to afford future sessions, I was able to record my duets with Vince Gill, Suzy Bogguss, Boots Randolph etc...

The whole intent behind these sessions was to support the Chet Atkins Educational Fund of East Tennessee and...to help establish a fund for fledgling guitarists at Webster University were I am Professor of Guitar. In this terriable economic climate, there is just NO funding for deserving young artists.

Back to the story...

Over the years, as I became friends with many of the legends on the Cd (Janis Ian, Mark Knopfler, Jorge Morel)they
asks to be a part of the tribute. I was very fortunate in never having to solicit their participation...they offered, because they understood the merit of the project and felt the need to show their love for Chet.

So you can imagine with the scope of artists and music (22 tracks) on the recording, It took 9 years to complete. Other than Chet's family, just a few knew of the project. I am proud of the artistic merit of the recording....many in Chet's circles have told me the title track, "Slightly Above Below Average" (written my Ray Flacke and myself) is a Grammy award waiting to happen...obviously, I am flattered by such comments, but the entire CD is a winner! I just happen to coordinate everything and not get in the other artist's way.


http://www.chetatkinssolosessions.com/t ... index.html


Thanks,

John
John McClellan

[Tony Enamel]

Thx, John,
all sounds wonderful!
Ingo