Chet Atkins
Mr. Guitar
Published on 1. June 2025
Book
Hardback
496 pages
978-0-8203-7339-3 (ISBN)
Description
Chet Atkins was arguably the most influential American guitarist of the twentieth century and, through his work as a recording executive, is often credited as a founder of the Nashville Sound. In Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar, noted music historian Don Cusic illuminates the legend, detailing Atkins's work as a guitarist, producer, music executive, and guitar designer, while also exploring his roles as mentor, friend, and husband.
Born in 1924 in Luttrell, Tennessee, Chester (Chet) Burton Atkins taught himself to play several instruments. A lifelong musician, he started his career playing alongside many other legendary entertainers, such as Red Foley, the Carter Family, Hank Snow, and Eddy Arnold. In the 1950s, as an RCA Victor manager, producer, and musician, Atkins was one of the early architects of the Nashville Sound, which led to the first crossover country-pop hits. He was also there at the beginning of rock and roll and played on the early recordings of Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers. When the Beatles came to the United States in February 1964, the lead guitarist, George Harrison, was seen on TV playing a Gretsch guitar designed by Chet Atkins.
By the end of his life in 2001, Atkins had recorded more than one hundred solo albums; won fourteen Grammys, including a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement, and nine Country Music Association Instrumentalist awards; and was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. His innovative playing style has inspired such musicians as Mark Knopfler, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Earl Klugh, Tommy Emmanuel, Doc Watson, Lenny Breau, and Jerry Reed.
Born in 1924 in Luttrell, Tennessee, Chester (Chet) Burton Atkins taught himself to play several instruments. A lifelong musician, he started his career playing alongside many other legendary entertainers, such as Red Foley, the Carter Family, Hank Snow, and Eddy Arnold. In the 1950s, as an RCA Victor manager, producer, and musician, Atkins was one of the early architects of the Nashville Sound, which led to the first crossover country-pop hits. He was also there at the beginning of rock and roll and played on the early recordings of Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers. When the Beatles came to the United States in February 1964, the lead guitarist, George Harrison, was seen on TV playing a Gretsch guitar designed by Chet Atkins.
By the end of his life in 2001, Atkins had recorded more than one hundred solo albums; won fourteen Grammys, including a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement, and nine Country Music Association Instrumentalist awards; and was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. His innovative playing style has inspired such musicians as Mark Knopfler, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Earl Klugh, Tommy Emmanuel, Doc Watson, Lenny Breau, and Jerry Reed.
Reviews / Votes
Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar is likely to serve as the definitive biography for many years to come. In addition to country and American popular music enthusiasts and scholars, this work is likely to be of interest to historians and sociologists who focus on the American South and also to those readers with an interest in the recording/television/entertainment industry. Anyone interested in Nashville as Music City, U.S.A. will find this work to be of interest as well. -- Timothy Dodge * author of The School of Arizona Dranes: Gospel Music Pioneer * Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar provides an illuminating portrait of the legendary Chet Atkins. Don Cusic details Atkins's work as a guitarist, producer, music executive, and guitar designer while also exploring his roles as mentor, friend, and husband-and, oh yes, golfer. This comprehensive biography is much needed as it studies the life and work of one of the main architects of the evolving Nashville sound from the mid-1950s into the 1980s. -- Thomas M. Kitts * author of Ray Davies: Not Like Everybody Else * Don Cusic has performed a magnificent service to posterity with his magisterial and stunning biography of the legendary Chet Atkins, the virtuoso guitar player who's almost synonymous with country music and Nashville. Cusic is dogged in his research and exposition, tracking down every lead, but the story is never dry or dull; he vividly resurrects a man and a professional life that spanned decades and help to define and play some of the best American music. Bravo! -- Ken Burns * award-winning filmmaker * I loved Chet dearly. We both grew up in East Tennessee and felt like family. Chet was so dear to me, and I loved him as so many others did. We made great music together. -- Dolly Parton * award-winning American singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist * Chet was my friend and mentor and Trigger's godfather. He could tell the dirtiest jokes. -- Willie Nelson * award-winning singer, guitarist, and songwriter * Chet Atkins was called the Godfather of the Guitar, the Country Gentleman, Mister Guitar, and the Chief by some within his close circle. He's also been called one of the true architects of what is called the Nashville Sound. I'm just grateful I got to call him my mentor and dear, sweet friend for nearly 30 years. How lucky was I? -- Steve Wariner * award-winning American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist * Chet Atkins was an amazing original, a one-of-a-kind, and a dear friend; there's no one more qualified to write about him than our mutual friend, Don Cusic. -- Ray Stevens * American country and pop singer-songwriter * When learning to play, I wanted to be Chet Atkins! But so did every other guitar player I knew. We were all trying to play like him. But there is/was only one Chet!! When I met him in Nashville, I let him know that he had produced and played on my very first single I bought with my paper round money. It was 'Till I Kissed You' by The Everly Brothers. He remembered it all very clearly. Then there is 'Mayan Dance,' which still floors me. He was a true master of the guitar. A genius who not only took his playing to the limit and beyond but discovered and produced some of the all-time great artists of the era. From Elvis to Dolly Parton and so many more. I will always miss him. But I have all my Chet Atkins albums...on vinyl. Chet lives at my house! -- Peter Frampton * inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame * [Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar is] a story of relentless dedication, prodigious talent, and an innate understanding of both melody and the burgeoning music business. . . . Dr. Don Cusic has not only given Chet Atkins the definitive biography he deserves but has also provided a profound contribution to the understanding of American music history. This is a volume that belongs on the shelf of every true music lover. -- Christian Lamitschka * Country Music News International *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Georgia
United States
Product notice
With dust jacket
Illustrations
20 b&w images
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 38 mm
Weight
826 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8203-7339-3 (9780820373393)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
DON CUSIC is a historian of country music and the Curb Professor of Music Industry History and a professor of music business at Belmont University. His many books include Saved by Song: A History of Gospel and Christian Music and The Cowboy in Country Music: An Historical Survey with Artist Profiles. He served as a consultant on the Ken Burns documentary on country music and has appeared on numerous documentaries and TV shows. In 2022, Cusic was inducted into the Western Music Association Hall of Fame. He lives in Brentwood, Tennessee.