“Years from now, after I’m gone someone will listen to what I’ve done and know I was here.” -- Chet Atkins

Without Chet Atkins, country music may never have crossed over into the pop charts in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Although he has recorded hundreds of solo records, Chet Atkins’ largest influence came as a session musician and a record producer. During the ‘50s and ‘60s, he helped create the Nashville sound, a style of country music that owed nearly as much to pop as it did to honky tonks.

And as a guitarist, he is without parallel. Atkins’ style grew out of his admiration for Merle Travis, expanding Travis’ signature syncopated thumb and fingers roll into new territory.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine
All Music Guide

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It was a sad day for us on June 30, 2001, when we got the word that one of the greatest lead guitarist, Chet Atkins, had passed away. Our paths had crossed several times during our careers in country music.

The first time I heard Chet Atkins play was in 1948, when he was a regular on KWTO in Springfield, Missouri.  At the time, I was on the musical staff of Radio KMA in Shenandoah, Iowa.  Since I was all of 18 years old, Chet had to be 24.  He idolized the Merle Travis style of guitar picking and had already taken it to another level.  (We had a guitar player with a similar style at KMA.  His name was Ike Everly, father of Donnie and Phil, the Everly Brothers).  Often, we had to find Chet through static, but it was a real treat when he came in loud and clear.

A few years later, Chet went to WSM in Nashville, and I ended up at WWVA in Wheeling, West Virginia.  I started recording for Columbia Records in 1954, and it was a pleasure to have Chet Atkins as my guitar player at one of my recording sessions.  What a thrill it was!  Memories are made of these moments.

Now, nearly 50 years later, I’m able to use one of Chet’s songs as my closing theme song on the traditional country shows we do on TCM Radio.  That’s a thrill too!  And, Chet, I can say, “I’ve listened, and I know you’ve been here”!

Dusty Owens
TCM Radio News

(Chet Atkins and Jethro Burns of Homer & Jethro were brothers-in-law. They married WLS Barn Dance stars, Leona and Louise “The Johnson Twins.”)