The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled its Chet Atkins exhibition last night (8/10) to a group of industry tastemakers, sponsors, and the late guitar-great’s descendants including daughter Merle Russell.
Museum Director Kyle Young welcomed guests in the Ford Theater. “Chet was always a supportive friend of this institution,” he said. “He was also one of country music’s ultimate renaissance men, one of the greatest instrumentalists in American music history, and a true musical savant. We are truly honored to tell his story, one we know will resonate with country fans old and new.”
Fred Gretsch and members of his family were there to help salute Atkins’ history with their guitar company dating back to 1954. Mr. Gretsch recalled George Harrison’s admiration of the Country Gentleman, and also brought onstage Atkins’ teary-eyed friend, Paul Yandell. The instrument manufacturer provided generous support of the new exhibit.

Upstairs guests got the first look of Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player. Classic guitars take center stage in the exhibition which tells the remarkable story of Atkins’ rise from near-poverty in Luttrell, Tennessee to acclaimed musician. Included is his first guitar, a Sears Silvertone he acquired at age 11 and upon which he taught himself to play; and his 1938 Gibson L-10 designed for original owner Les Paul.
At a very early age, Atkins set his mind to becoming a famous guitar player. He was a shy boy, who moved as a child to Columbus, Georgia where the climate eased his asthma. It was there that he got his first radio gig. By age 18 he was earning a living as a musician.

The exhibit highlights his signature thumb-and-two-finger picking style, developed while trying to emulate Merle Travis. It covers his 1950 move to Nashville as the guitar player for Maybelle and the Carter Sisters.
Guitars, contracts and letters show his progress over the next several decades. There is a 1951 photograph of Atkins playing alongside Hank Williams at the Grand Ole Opry.
One highlight is the meticulous re-construction of the work-bench and shelves in Atkins’ basement home studio, including tools, cameras, hats, guitar straps, and golf clubs.
There are a few video clips, but missing in this smaller exhibit are some of the interactive, multimedia components that made the Hall’s Williams Family exhibition so successful.
Atkins’ storied career criss-crossed from A-Team studio work, to artist, producer, and record executive. He played on recordings by Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley and Hank Williams. His first hit as an artist came in 1955 with “Mister Sandman.” As a producer, he was a key architect of the Nashville Sound, and worked with the Everly Brothers, Waylon Jennings and Jim Reeves. Atkins was elected to the hallowed Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973, and before dying in 2001, he received a NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award.
Downstairs in the conservatory, CPG (certified party goers) enjoyed the night’s signature mango cocktail while munching on hors d’oeuvres and mini desserts.
Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player officially opens tomorrow (8/12) with special events throughout the weekend. Details at countrymusichalloffame.org.

Full Scope Entertainment, the management home to Colt Ford, Ty Stone, and others, has partnered with Average Joe’s Entertainment label to form Average Joe’s Management.
The management firm was established in early 2009 by CEO Ken Madson. He explains, “Since its creation, Full Scope Entertainment has worked closely with Average Joe’s Entertainment. While this will not affect day-to-day management operations, this re-branding is part of a larger effort to grow Average Joe’s Entertainment and Average Joe’s Management.”
Shannon Houchins, CEO of the label, points out that the renaming emphasizes that the management company uses the label’s marketing resources for management clients regardless of whether or not they are signed to the record company.
In addition, Average Joe’s Management has hired Rusty Harmon, who brings with him management clients Bo Bice, Scarletta, and Nick Norman. Harmon got his start working with Hootie & The Blowfish, who went on to worldwide sales of more than 25 million.
Harmon has secured endorsement deals from Budweiser, Nike, BMW, and Gibson for his clients. From 1997-2000 he was President of the Atlantic imprint, Breaking Records.
“At a time when everyone in the music industry is talking about making changes in the way we conduct our business, Average Joe’s has actually done it,” Harmon shares. “I’m thrilled to be on board with such a progressive, aggressive, and proactive management company and record label.”
Additional Nashville management staffers include Houchins, Lex Lipsitz, Andrew Parvin, and Jamie Reeder.
Orlando McGhee will continue at the helm the Atlanta hub of the management company.
The Average Joe’s Management roster lists Anamul House, Bizarre, JB and The Moonshine Band, Nappy Roots, REHAB, Scarletta, Space Capone, The Lacs, Bo Bice, Lauren Briant, Lenny Cooper, Ira Dean, Rachel Farley, Colt Ford, Josh Gracin, Demun Jones, John Michael Montgomery, Nick Norman, Matt Stillwell, Ty Stone, and Morgan Strebler.
Average Joe’s offices are located at 209 10th Ave. S., Suite 337, Nashville, TN 37203. For additional information, visit www.averagejoesmanagement.com or call (615) 733-9983.
Average Joe’s Management Staff contact:
Ken Madson, [email protected]
Shannon Houchins, [email protected]
Rusty Harmon, [email protected]
Orlando McGhee, [email protected]
Lex Lipsitz, [email protected]
Andrew Parvin, [email protected]
Jamie Reeder, [email protected]