The power of music to transform lives –– and entire cultures –– is either unknown or ignored by the majority. However, –– whether you believe it or not ––, what we surround ourselves with be it Music, Interior Decor, TV, the Internet, Movies, Stage shows, or SmartPhones, what we wear what we eat, who we date, what we talk about with our friends, what we do with our free time, etc. molds our character as individuals and shapes our destiny.
Not of us lives in a vacuum, therefore it's important for us to choose the way we occupy our time wisely. Chet certainly was a good influence on a whole generation of fellow musicians. I recognize that, even though I have to say I much prefer the profound influences great figures like Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, et al.
Few of us realize it, but without the great classical composers, Chet Atkins and Tommy .Emmanuel could not possibly have been what they are. To a large extent all significant musicians learned from each other, built on each other's work, and stood on each other's shoulders (metaphorically) in the constant search for "new sounds" for want of a better term.
As I said at the beginning, we rarely recognize what influences us most profoundly.
Learning how to differentiate between the good, the bad and the mediocre is important, but few get that far, because our culture does not give music a high priority.
FT, Yes, so much is reliant on the past and present. Few of us are creative. We are inspired by those who are. They call Chet country guitar but he as nothing in common with modern country and said modern country destroyed country music.
His earliest albums have a very eclectic makeup including classical. Fingerstyle Guitar for example. 1950 something.
Z, I remember being at an outing our company had in Tempe Az while we were working on an RJ Reyonlds software project. One of the guys from RJR, as we stood around a fire in the desert having a beer, asked me if I had any heroes. I hadn't really thought about it to that point but fairly quickly answered Chet Atkins. He said Good hero to have. Chet honestly was selfless. Excellence was always his goal and he was never satisfied with his performance. Hard to do better than that regardless what you're doing. He inspired millions around the world.
two tunes at the same time--awesome!!
ReplyDeletec-CS
C-CS, Here is the recorded version
DeleteC-CS, PS, if you have the same stuff on the right sidebar as I do when I click that link I gave you, the top 3 at least are worth the time.
DeleteIf you don't get the same stuff, I'd give this one a listen anyway.
Deletegave them a 'listen' and smiled the entire time -- thank you :-)
DeleteC-CS
C-CS, So much out there. 50 years worth. What a body of work. And he was becoming an elderly man when this one was made.
DeleteChet was not only a great guitar player, but a very nice man, too.
ReplyDeleteAdrienne, I think everyone who knew him would say even more of a person than a guitar player.
Delete"I can't think of anyone who had an effect on a greater number of people,"
ReplyDeleteI can.
The calendar starts on the year of His birth.
Well, Geeezix Ed. I was talking mere mortals! :-)
DeleteEd, PS, many would claim Chet wasn't a mere mortal, but certainly no candle to the Boy King regardless.
DeleteHe is a joy to listen to, they have that much in common :)
DeleteThe power of music to transform lives –– and entire cultures –– is either unknown or ignored by the majority. However, –– whether you believe it or not ––, what we surround ourselves with be it Music, Interior Decor, TV, the Internet, Movies, Stage shows, or SmartPhones, what we wear what we eat, who we date, what we talk about with our friends, what we do with our free time, etc. molds our character as individuals and shapes our destiny.
ReplyDeleteNot of us lives in a vacuum, therefore it's important for us to choose the way we occupy our time wisely. Chet certainly was a good influence on a whole generation of fellow musicians. I recognize that, even though I have to say I much prefer the profound influences great figures like Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, et al.
Few of us realize it, but without the great classical composers, Chet Atkins and Tommy .Emmanuel could not possibly have been what they are. To a large extent all significant musicians learned from each other, built on each other's work, and stood on each other's shoulders (metaphorically) in the constant search for "new sounds" for want of a better term.
As I said at the beginning, we rarely recognize what influences us most profoundly.
Learning how to differentiate between the good, the bad and the mediocre is important, but few get that far, because our culture does not give music a high priority.
FT, Yes, so much is reliant on the past and present. Few of us are creative. We are inspired by those who are. They call Chet country guitar but he as nothing in common with modern country and said modern country destroyed country music.
DeleteHis earliest albums have a very eclectic makeup including classical. Fingerstyle Guitar for example. 1950 something.
Great guy. Inspirational, talented, good, .....
ReplyDeleteZ, I remember being at an outing our company had in Tempe Az while we were working on an RJ Reyonlds software project. One of the guys from RJR, as we stood around a fire in the desert having a beer, asked me if I had any heroes. I hadn't really thought about it to that point but fairly quickly answered Chet Atkins. He said Good hero to have. Chet honestly was selfless. Excellence was always his goal and he was never satisfied with his performance. Hard to do better than that regardless what you're doing. He inspired millions around the world.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis is SPAM, Kid. It doesn't belong here.
DeleteI know that FT.
DeleteWhat an inspirational credo for all of life's endeavors. He was way more than just an excellent guitar player.
ReplyDeleteYes he was Cube. He had no enemies that's for sure.
Delete
ReplyDelete~• A Visit with Pa Grouch •~
'Twas two days before Christmas
And Papa Grouch here
Made a pact with the Devil
To stay home this year.
The cupboard was bare
And the table unclad
Because of this grumpy
Self-centered old Dad,
Who'd decided it all
Was too much of a strain
That denuded his wallet
And caused him great pain.
Mama was despondent
The babe on her lap
Did nothing but howl
And spit up its pap.
The children were mopey
Their eyes sullen slits
They thought Papa'd gone mad
And had lost all his wits
When on the front lawn
There arose a great clatter
The neighbors had come
To see what was the matter
With no wreath on the door
Or lights on the eaves
They thought Papa'd grown poor
Or been looted by thieves
So up to the housetop
With garlands they climbed
Stringing green'ry and lights
Till they got all begrimed
The ladies walked in
With caskets of food
Then set up a tree
While the children they wooed
With carols in harmony
Sung at the door
With lighted red candles
That dripped on the floor.
Then in marched Tom Turkey,
Who went straight to the oven,
Saying, "Pluck me and stuff me,
I'm dyin' for lovin.'"
He made not a squawk
While they chopped off his head
Plucked out all his feathers
And stuffed him with bread
And onions and apples
And sausage and sage
And quite enough butter
To pay a week's wage.
The cranberry mold
Like a rubicund belly
Shook and shimmered itself
Like a gem made of jelly.
The scent of cinnamon
Ginger and pine
Along with the turkey
Smelled simply divine
A baker on crutches
Who only could hobble
Said, "Soon that old bird
Will be ready to gobble."
The men midst cold ashes
Placed branches for Yule
Their crackling splendor
A marvelous tool
For cheering and warming
Pa Grouch with his pain,
Who was soon moved to say,
"I've no right to complain.
"With neighbors like you,
I feel it's a shame
I ever indulged
A desire to maim
"The Spirit of Joy,
Good Will, and Good Cheer.
I promise you all
I'll be nicer –– NEXT YEAR."
Then placing his thumb
At the tip of his nose
He waved them Good Night
And to bed up he rose.
But I heard him exclaim,
As he moved past our sight,
"Don't let the door hit your butt,
When you leave. Now GOOD NIGHT!"
~ FreeThinke
Have Yourself a JOCULAR Christmas!