Hall of Fame Preps Chet Atkins Exhibit
The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will pay tribute to one of country music’s most versatile and visionary artists, Chet Atkins with a new exhibit opening Friday, Aug. 12. Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player will run for 10 months and is made possible by the Gretsch Company with additional support by GAC.
Highlights of the opening weekend festivities include a talk by a Museum curator, and a panel discussion featuring Ray Stevens, Steve Wariner and Billy Edd Wheeler. The exhibit will be accompanied by a companion book, also titled Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player.
Included in the exhibit will be Chet’s first guitar, a Sears Silvertone he acquired at age 11 and upon which he taught himself to play; Chet’s 1938 Gibson L-10 designed for original owner Les Paul; and a 1946 recording contract with Bullet Recording Co. There is also a meticulous re-construction of the work-bench and shelves in Chet’s basement home studio, including tools, meters and personal effects. The exhibit employs a wealth of instruments, vintage photos, personal possessions and correspondence, as well as career-spanning audio and video.
More at Countrymusichalloffame.org.
