Chet Atkins special on TNN

Larry Lenhart · From: Ponca City, Oklahoma

My guitar hero Chet Atkins is being featured on a special tonight. It may be rerun, but I have never seen it before. It will be repeated later in the month. It is really a nice tribute to him not only featuring his music but many stars who acknowledge their indebtnedness to him. Certainly he is the most influential electric guitarist of all time. I think Buddy Emmons falls in that category in his contribution to the steel guitar. Perhaps some day we will see such a special on Buddy.

David Pennybaker · From: Conroe, TX USA

Larry Lenhart · From: Ponca City, Oklahoma

Unfortunately that is true. I go to the Chet Atkins Appreciation convention each year, and this year he was not there at all. For the last 2 years his health has not been good. He has had a brain tumor, fell and broke his hip, and other things. He is not well. Two years ago he was very bad and we did not expect to see him the following year. He made an appearance the last day but was indeed very feeble. The following year he actually played a little on stage and there was a little spark in him. This year, nothing. On the Georgia Fingerstyle Guitar Forum, Paul Yandell states that it saddens him to visit Chet and see him so sick. God bless Chet.

[This message was edited by Larry Lenhart on 06 September 2000 at 05:57 PM.]

David Pennybaker · From: Conroe, TX USA

Thanks, Larry, for the update. It is sad that Chet will probably no longer be able to play.

Have you heard anything about Jerry Reed? I know he had a heart attack and/or bypass surgery a year or two ago. I love the two albums he did with Chet ("Me and Jerry" and "Me and Chet"). I was so thrilled to find the CD of those two albums at Ernest Tubb's Record Store a few years ago. Another VERY FINE guitar player.

PS:

I was up in Oklahoma City / Tulsa the last week. I was at CountryFest 2000 in OKC on September 2.

Man, that was ridiculous. It was 108 F. But there were several thousand other fools out there with me.

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[This message was edited by David Pennybaker on 09 September 2000 at 09:32 PM.]

Lefty · From: Grayson, Ga.

This is sad news for me. Chet Atkins has always been one of my icons. I remember seeing him with the Boston Pops orchastra back in the 60's. I watched him awsruck, and decided I had to have a gretsch country gentleman, which I worked all summer to save money for. I still have the guitar, but still don't play it like Chet. But then, I don't think anyone does. He is in my prayers.

Pat Jenkins · From: Abingdon, VA, USA

David,We( the station I work for) had Jerry in for a concert last monday nite. Did a fine job, but, only played a couple of instrumentals...said he wore out much faster these days...He has new album of instumentals out in the next week or so, avaiable at his website...thejerryreed.com. He was in fine spirits that evening and his band played very well, also....Pat

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

He came through Santa Rosa 2 or 3 years ago, and we went to see him. He was fantastic! I remember thinking that he played more music in two measures than you hear in whole songs on the radio. What a wonderful musician - a true superstar!

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Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
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