Publisher's Synopsis
This well-rounded portrait reveals the late Chet Atkins's unique impact on popular music, tracing his captivating rise from rural isolation and obscurity to international fame and industry influence. Embracing country, rock 'n' roll, and jazz, Atkins recorded 120 solo releases and hundreds more as a sideman. His unparalleled approach to fingerstyle guitar became the cornerstone of the art form, even outside the country genre. Unforgettable are his upbeat, twangy but rich thumb-picking licks and fills on such songs as the Everly Brothers' "Bye Bye Love." This Chet Atkins signature sound became vastly influential - George Harrison emulated it fondly on The Beatles' "All My Loving." As the manager of RCA Nashville in the 1960s and early '70s, Atkins helped transform that city into the music hub it remains today. As a producer and A&R executive, he nurtured rock 'n' roll through Elvis Presley, created the echo-laden "Nashville Sound," and made RCA the dominant label in Nashville. Swiftly evolving into an industry mover and shaker - although a humble one - Atkins helped revolutionize modern country music when he signed Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.;Drawing on his relationships with Atkins and the guitarist's family, friends, and colleagues, the author shares warm remembrances of "Mister Guitar" from well-known musicians and industry figures throughout this compelling narrative
