Chet Atkins

Latest about Chet Atkins

Fender Player Acoustasonic Jazzmaster
From Chet Atkins to the Acoustasonic – the surprising history of hybrid acoustic-electric guitars

By Michael Watts Published

Sonic expansion or evolutionary dead-end? The acoustic-electric has undergone a radical reinvention over the years

Acoustic-electric Guitars
Courtney Love & Hole during The 1998 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Courtney Love refused to turn Celebrity Skin into “a grieving widow’s memoir” – but she paid tribute with the gear she played

By Janelle Borg Published

With Celebrity Skin, Love shifted Hole's musical direction and created their final opus, in the midst of great tragedy

Guitarists
Tommy Emmanuel performs on stage at the Victorian Arts Centre, Hamer Hall on May 25, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia / Chet Atkins performs at Paul Masson Winery on September 20, 1991 in Saratoga, California
Tommy Emmanuel knocked on the door of his biggest guitar hero – and ended up jamming with him

By Matt Owen Published

The acoustic virtuoso took a pilgrimage to Nashville and swung by the house of his hero, and came away having learned a lesson he still holds close to this day

Guitarists
JANUARY 01: NASHVILLE Photo of Mark KNOPFLER and David HUNGATE and Chet ATKINS, L-R Mark Knopfler, David Hungate and Chet Atkins performing on stage
Mark Knopfler looks back on his jams with fellow fingerstyle legend Chet Atkins

By Matt Owen Published

The pair traded licks after the release of Brothers in Arms, and went on to release an album together

Guitarists
Tommy Emmanuel playing guitar in front of a turquoise background
Tommy Emmanuel explains the difference between being a guitarist and a guitar player

By Jenna Scaramanga Published

The Australian fingerpicking legends reflects on a life of guitar and what made Chet Atkins so great

Guitarists
Chet Atkins onstage in 1993 playing his Gibson Country Gentleman
Why learning Americana guitar styles will open up a whole new world for your acoustic playing

By Stuart Ryan Published

From Maybelle Carter’s famous ‘pick and flick’ approach to Pete Seeger’s banjo-style techniques – it’s all here in a lesson that will make you a more rounded player

Artist Lessons
Tommy Emmanuel performs on stage at Arena Nord during Bluesheaven Festival 2023 on November 11, 2023 in Frederikshavn, Denmark
Tommy Emmanuel explains how a love of Chet Atkins meant he initially struggled to understand The Rolling Stones and Beatles hype

By Janelle Borg Published

Emmanuel now “loves” both bands, but back in the day it took him “a long time to appreciate them”

Artists
Danny Gatton
Learn the licks of 6 guitarists who defined country guitar playing

By Jon Bishop Published

Featuring Danny Gatton, Eldon Shamblin, Roy Clark, Chet Atkins, Jimmy Bryant and the inimitable Hank Garland, welcome to cowboy bootcamp for country guitar

Guitarists
Dolly Parton
How does Dolly Parton play guitar with such long fingernails?

By Laura B. Whitmore Published

The country hitmaker shaped her entire guitar style around her trademark talons

Artists
Chet Atkins
How to master Chet Atkins’ fingerpicking technique and take your acoustic playing to the next level

By Stuart Ryan Published

Atkins was one of Nashville’s most successful producers, session guitarists, and a veritable picking legend whose influence can still be heard in countless player's styles

Musical Tips & Advice
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