• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Events
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • THE SPORTS CREDENTIAL
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Guitarist Paul Yandell Passes

November 22, 2011/by Freeman

(L-R): Steve Wariner, Merle Atkins Russell, and Paul Yandell. Photo: Caryn Wariner

Master “fingerstyle” guitarist Paul Yandell, who was Chet Atkins’ bandleader for over 25 years, passed away Monday morning (Nov. 21) in Hendersonville following a battle with cancer. He was 76.

Yandell arrived in Nashville from Kentucky in 1955, already an accomplished guitarist. He began his career with the Louvin Brothers, working with them until 1959. In 1961, he joined the Kitty Wells show, where he performed until 1970. He joined Jerry Reed that year, and said he “went to college” by learning from Reed. In 1975, Yandell joined Chet Atkins and remained at his side for the next 25 years.

In August 2011, Atkins’ daughter Merle Atkins Russell bestowed Yandell with Atkins’ last and final “Certified Guitar Player” (c.g.p.) degree at the opening of the Chet Atkins exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. As Atkins’ sideman, Yandell had helped confer the honor upon only four players before Atkins passed in 2001: Tommy Emmanuel, John Knowles, Jerry Reed, and Steve Wariner.

Yandell also made significant contributions as a session musician, playing on records by Wariner, Dolly Parton, George Strait, the Everly Brothers, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Perry Como and many more. In 2001, Yandell recorded a tribute to his late boss called Forever Chet.

He is survived by his wife Marie Jones Yandell, son Paul, sister Yvone Lambert, brother Forrest Yandell, and numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Hendersonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home on Friday, Nov. 25 at 5 pm. Funeral services will take place Saturday, Nov. 26 at Clark’s River Baptist Church Cemetery in Symsonia, Ky. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alive Hospice or the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Chet Atkins exhibit.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Freeman
Freeman
Freeman
Latest posts by Freeman (see all)
  • Justin Moore Plans Hurricane Relief Concert - November 16, 2012
  • MusicRow No. 1 Song - November 16, 2012
  • Top Digital Companies Form Strategic Partnership - November 16, 2012
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png 0 0 Freeman https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Freeman2011-11-22 11:14:572011-11-22 11:14:57Guitarist Paul Yandell Passes

RECENT NEWS

  • New IRS Rule Affects Concert Ticket Resellers September 29, 2023
  • Neil Medley Shares His Stories On Debut Project, ‘South End Kid’ September 29, 2023
  • Worldwide Stages Announces Investment Opportunity In Its Production Campus September 29, 2023
  • In Pictures: Coastal Country Jam Closes Summer With Star-Studded Lineup September 29, 2023
  • First-Ever ‘People’s Choice Country Awards’ Airs Live From Nashville [Recap] September 29, 2023
  • Fifth Annual Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards Raises $400K For U.S. Military Vets September 29, 2023
  • Morgan Wallen Adds Multiple Nights In Several Markets For 2024 Tour September 29, 2023
  • Brittney Spencer Slates Debut Album ‘My Stupid Life’ For January September 29, 2023
  • Dylan Scott Earns MusicRow No. 1 With ‘Can’t Have Mine’ September 29, 2023
  • Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle Among Winners At 34th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards September 29, 2023
  • 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards Winners – Complete List September 29, 2023
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: The Late Jimmy Buffett ‘Encourages Optimism & Hope’ September 28, 2023
  • Industry Ink: Wasserman Music, Merle Travis, Equal Access, More September 28, 2023
  • Shania Twain’s Multi-Platinum ‘Greatest Hits’ Makes Vinyl Debut In November September 28, 2023
  • IBMA Honors 2023 Industry Awards Recipients September 28, 2023

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2023 Music Row Enterprises, LLC – All rights reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Scroll to top