Steve Wariner pays tribute to Chet Atkins during this 2012 program at the Country Music Hall of Museum, sharing stories about the Country Music Hall of Fame member and performing a mix of Atkins’ songs and his own hits.

The first words Wariner remembers saying to his musical hero: “Shut up.” (He thought his brother had called him pretending to be the virtuoso guitar player and producer.) Atkins eventually signed Wariner to a record deal, and Wariner says there would be no “Steve Wariner” were it not for Chet Atkins.

During the program, Wariner talks about his 2009 album, “My Tribute to Chet Atkins,” which includes original material inspired by Atkins. Songs performed from that album include: “Leavin’ Luttrell,” named for Atkins’s hometown; “Chet’s Guitar”; “Producer’s Medley,” a collection of songs recorded by other artists but produced by Atkins; “6120,” titled for a Gretsch model guitar Atkins often played; and “Reeding Out Loud,” which also nods to Atkins collaborator and fellow Country Music Hall of Fame member Jerry Reed.

Atkins bestowed the “Certified Guitar Player” or “C.G.P.” accolade on Wariner, and Wariner shares some back story about the honor—which Atkins cleverly invented and self-awarded early in his career to help land gigs.

Performances of Wariner’s own hits include “Life’s Highway,” “What I Didn’t Do,” “Sails,” and “Holes in the Floor of Heaven.”

Presented in support of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s exhibition “Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player” (August 12, 2011, through July 15, 2012).

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