Chet Atkins: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2002

Official Site: http://www.misterguitar.us/

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/chet-atkins/bio/

Atkins created the Nashville Sound, influenced a number of guitarists, and produced records for a number of renowned country and rock artists including Elvis Presley, Jerry Reed, and Dolly Parton.

He dropped out of high school and worked at a radio station. He made his first Grand Ole Opry appearance in 1946. Atkins signed with RCA and worked with June Carter and the Carter Sisters. 

Some of his singles…

Mr. Sandman (1954): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-c66SJPuUI

Silver Bell (1954): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7oc25a6azM

Atkins took over producing at RCA in 1957 and worked continuously. However, his own recording fell off.

Boo Boo Stick Beat (1959): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKxHRbV6jdU

One Mint Julep (1959): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzKRLO1EF7g

Teensville (1959): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88fWMDDkrRg

His biggest hit: Yakety Axe (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK7T4LHjln4

Prissy (1966): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXMstoQDrfc

Fiddlin’ Around (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y28nWVkS7xY

Frog Kissin’ (1975): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HQoJo_4_-A

Blind Willie (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hcuCQC93jo

 

We Didn’t See A Thing w/Ray Charles and George Jones (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYfVciXwZk4

Poor Boy Blues w/Mark Knopfler (1990): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaBTHu9JSB0

The Claw w/Jerry Reed (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNvwxJsGN5Q

He died in 2001.

1946 in Music

Big Band music helped Americans through World War II.  The jazz scene dramatically changed the following year. Charlie Parker released “Ko-Ko” ushering in a revolution in jazz. The genre became less viable commercially and more artist driven. As a result, people gravitated toward pop and away from jazz. It was a defining moment that helped lead to rock n roll because pop was boring and Jazz unlistenable. On a side note,  B.B. King, Bill Haley, and Chet Atkins all began their careers in 1946.

Ko-Ko by Charlie Parker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_ZajJd-1kY

Prisoner of Love by Perry Como:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbNPg_Rp0ws

Five Minutes More by Frank Sinatra:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvWEigjXVsI

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! By Vaughn Monroe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbb3skLR0Bo

To Each His Own by the Ink Spots:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pRarUQD3L8

The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jODKhUoFxzA