What is there to say about an artist whose life encompasses so many varied endeavors? First and foremost, Chet Atkins was a great American artist. His creativity transcends the narrow limitations of the guitar. As human beings, we all are guilty of trying to “pigeon-hole” people into what we think defines them…Chet was a great person, caring, giving and unselfish. He is the greatest all around guitarist in music history and that is not debatable.
Because of the prolific output of his recordings, the numerous artists he produced or discovered as one the heads of RCA Victor, and even his innovations as a guitar designer people have limited understanding of him. Chet “is” a much greater artist than he is given credit for. To this day, no other guitarist has come close to his versatility, musical taste, sound and poetry. Sure there are many fingerstyle players who show off with flash and dash, thus impressing the masses. Chet never cared for that; he was “the pure artist of the guitar” as expressed by his dear friend, Jorge Morel.
Chet lived by his own words, “Play the music, not the notes!” Chet was a man of integrity. He was always a student. He loved his family and his friends. And through his artistry, he inspired millions of guitarists the world over. Chet Atkins touched all genres of music and was never hurtful of other players. In fact, he supported and admired his influences (Django Reinhardt, Merle Travis, Les Paul, William Foden, Johnny Smith, Jethro Burns, Homer Haynes and even Segovia...though the "old Spaniard" was unkind to him). The secret to Chet's greatness was his ability to continue to learn, even from his proteges...Jerry Reed, Lenny Breau and Tommy Jones to name a few. Chet never stopped learning because he was humble and that is what Chet was all about.
To fully appreciate Chet one must look at the evolution of his artistry. In life we don't stay stationary. We either grow or we die. I can only imagine the difficulty Chet must have experienced over the years in having to play "Windy and Warm" one more time. The real artist is constantly striving for the unattainable, for perfection that does not exist. Chet never listened to his own recordings because he was never satisfied, it could be better. What Chet did not realize was in his recordings we (his fans) came to accept him as "one of the family." The love and poetry in his playing spoke to us.
Chet was always changing, he was restless...but if you care enough and take the time to really listen, you will grasp in Chet's playing a level of musicianship few musicians ever achieve. Genuine art is organic and born of talent and hard work. Chet Atkins never had anything handed to him on a silver platter. When I listen to Chet, I hear in every note purity, soul and a singing quality every guitarist would hope to emulate. To quote Chet, "That's my opinion and it should be yours too!"
I feel very privileged to call Chet my friend. He gave me inspiration and, through his music, hope for my life. Now in his passing, his family has embraced me and made me feel as a part of them. They are the essence of Chet, and I will forever be humbled by the faith and trust they have instilled in me. Because I love Chet and his family, it is with humility that I try to fully represent him as the great artist that he was and is…and to live my life in a way that is in keeping with the Lord’s will and with the human integrity that Chet Atkins showed to all.
“God was in him, God speaking to the human race through music. When Chet played; It was ethereal…I was transported, swept up in the music.” -Jerry Reed
