Chet Atkins was a guitarist's guitarist. Every bit as influential as Bert Weldon or Les Paul, Atkins' (musical) diet was more varied than he was given credit for - he singlehandedly saved county music from oblivion and was an accomplished jazz and classical guitarist to boot, and (when it came along) embraced pop music; Paul McCartney & George Harrison were huge devotees (George even played a 1962 Gretsch Country Gentleman - Atkins' signature guitar). Here's his jazzy instrumental take on Macca's 1976 opus...
Chet Atkins - Let 'Em In (1981)
Whilst in his executive position at RCA in Nashville Atkins was also a prolific record producer. He produced, and played on, Perry Como's monster hit single from 1973 And I Love You So (a Don McLean composition that first appeared on his 1970 debut solo album; Como's version shifted 300,000 copies in the UK alone). Here's Como & Atkins performing it on a glitzy TV special from 1977. God knows why Chet is lit in almost perma shadow.
★
Perry Como (1912-2001)
Chet Atkins (1924-2001)
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