Country Musician, Record Producer, Record Executive. Known as "Mr. Guitar" and considered the most-recorded solo instrumentalist in music history, he was born in the small town of Luttrell, Tennessee in 1924. His guitar style influenced such pop greats as Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), George Harrison (The Beatles/Traveling Wilburys), Duane Eddy, George Benson, Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) and many other recording artists. As head of RCA Victor in Nashville, he propelled an entire generation of country music stars to fame, such as Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, Charley Pride, Hank Snow, Porter Wagoner, and many more. His guitar studio work is featured on countless recordings for so many Nashville legends. He built the famous RCA Studio B, and produced-recorded some of the world's most popular music in that studio. Elvis Presley recorded many of his pop hits there, such as the hit "Heartbreak Hotel" which featured Chet on the lead guitar. He garnered many music awards, winning nine Country Music Awards, Musician of the Year Awards, and 14 Grammys. In 1973, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. In 2002, Atkins was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the Sideman category.
Country Musician, Record Producer, Record Executive. Known as "Mr. Guitar" and considered the most-recorded solo instrumentalist in music history, he was born in the small town of Luttrell, Tennessee in 1924. His guitar style influenced such pop greats as Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), George Harrison (The Beatles/Traveling Wilburys), Duane Eddy, George Benson, Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) and many other recording artists. As head of RCA Victor in Nashville, he propelled an entire generation of country music stars to fame, such as Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, Charley Pride, Hank Snow, Porter Wagoner, and many more. His guitar studio work is featured on countless recordings for so many Nashville legends. He built the famous RCA Studio B, and produced-recorded some of the world's most popular music in that studio. Elvis Presley recorded many of his pop hits there, such as the hit "Heartbreak Hotel" which featured Chet on the lead guitar. He garnered many music awards, winning nine Country Music Awards, Musician of the Year Awards, and 14 Grammys. In 1973, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. In 2002, Atkins was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the Sideman category.
Bio by: Jimmy Gilstrap
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CHET
KNOWN TO THE WORLD AS
"MISTER GUITAR"
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