Chet Atkins: Me and My Guitars

By Chet Atkins, Cochran Russ, Russ Cochran

The most comprehensive and enlightening book on Chet Atkins ever published. A friend of Atkins' for 40 years, Russ Cochran was privy to stories from Chet that even the most knowledgeable Chet fan would ever know about. Chet tells it all in his own words about his childhood, his playing influences and early struggles to find work, along with insight into the guitars he used and endorsed along the way. The book includes full-colour photos of Chet and his guitars, many only previously seen in a limited collector's edition. Over 60 guitars in Chet's private collection are photographed in Chet's home and his office on Music Row. Chet speaks about each of his important guitars - including the Gibson L-10 which his brother Jim gave him - telling the story of his career as seen through his guitars. More than just a pictorial review of his guitars throughout the years, it's a fascinating look inside the mind of history's greatest guitar player. This book will appeal to guitar collectors and Chet Atkins fans everywhere.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0634055658
• ISBN13: 9780634055652
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.7" x 11.9"

Customer Reviews

Great Book

If you are a fan of Chet Atkins and/or Guitars, this book is a must have. You will keep it in a handy place, so you can pick it up frequently.

The best book on Chet so far.

I can't stop looking at the lovely pics. of all Chet's 60 guitars. And the stories in his own words. The best book in the world.

A Chet Atkins Treasure!

As I Chet fan, I am always wanting more photos, information etc. on Chets's life, guitars, equipment and technique. This book is fantastic!! The book quality is superb and the photos are exquisite! I am very well pleased to have this book in my Chet collection.

Beautifully Illustrated With Engaging Narrative

Chet relates the story of his life and describes the guitars he owned and helped design in an easy-going, yet informative, manner in this book, which is lavishly illustrated with photographs of his guitars. As a country music enthusiast, I found Chet's story to be very interesting -- he had much more contact with some of the early artists (such as Karl Davis and Bill Carlisle) than I'd realised. Chet's narrative is characterised by his modesty and generosity to others: for example, he relates how Mother Maybelle Carter and her family fought some elements of the Nashville establishment to ensure he was permitted to play in Music City; and he is very complimentary of other guitarists (e.g. to Australia's Tommy Emmanuel). I have no hesitation in recommending this book to any country-music enthusiast or country guitarist, though the book also has a much wider appeal.

BEAUTIFUL GUITAR PICTURES & STORIES

At first I just meant to thumb through a few pages but Chet's easy-going and enjoyable writing style sucked me in. The next thing it was 2 am and I'd finished most of the book. Although I suffered the next day at work I didn't mind it a bit.If you like vintage guitars or Chet Atkins' playing I can't recommend this book strongly enough. It is full of beautiful color pictures and behind-the-scenes descriptions of the development of some very interesting and historic instruments. Chet's stories of the people he played with, the guitars he played and the music he made are wonderful and totally engrossing. Buy this book today!!