Friends, colleagues, and admirers of the late Chet Atkins remember the guitarist and producer’s life and work here, during a 2012 panel discussion at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Not only one of the world’s most respected guitar players, Atkins also ran RCA Victor’s Nashville division for many years, and produced some of the label’s biggest hit recordings. Members of the panel—including background vocalist Dolores Dinning Edgin, guitarist Ray Edenton, songwriter John D. Loudermilk, and Country Music Hall of Fame members Bobby Bare and Jim Ed Brown—discuss working with Atkins in the recording studio. Dr. John Rumble, Senior Historian for the Museum, moderates the panel.

Dolores Dinning Edgin tells of first working with guitarist Chet Atkins on Nashville-based radio programs and later as a background singer on numerous recording sessions where he served as producer. Ray Edenton shares a similar story of first working with Atkins as a backing musician for Mother Maybelle Carter and her girls and later backing Atkins on rhythm guitar. Edenton also talks of playing guitar on recording sessions produced by Atkins. Both Bobby Bare and Jim Ed Brown tell how Atkins produced records for them that went on to sell millions of copies.

John D. Loudermilk tells how he came to write one of Atkins’s popular songs titled “Windy and Warm.” He also talks of Atkins’s humorous side and shares stories of taking a vacation cruise with Atkins.

Presented in support of the exhibition “Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player” (August 12, 2011 – July 15, 2012).

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