Chet Atkins

Chester Burton Atkins

American country guitar player and producer, born June 20, 1924, Luttrell, Tennessee, USA, died June 30, 2001, Nashville, Tennessee, USA .

Even though most know him as "Mr. Guitar" he was also a record producer for many big stars such as Elvis Presley. He invented what is known as "the Nashville sound" which was a smoother more jazz-like form of country music. His guitar of choice was the Gretsch Country Gentleman.

Inducted into Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 (Sidemen).

Father of Merle Atkins; half-brother of Jimmy Atkins and "Sister" Billie Rose Atkins, brother-in-law of Roy Shockley, uncle of Mike Shockley.

In Groups:
"Chet Atkins & Friends" Ensemble, Chester Atkins & His All Star Hillbillies, Chet Atkins And His Colorado Mountain Boys, Chet Atkins and His Friends, Chet Atkins And His Guitar Pickers, Chet Atkins Orchestra, The Atkins String Co., The Country All Stars, The First Nashville Guitar Quartet, The Nashville String Band, Wally Fowler And His Georgia Clod-Hoppers