Famous for changing the sound of Nashville with his guitar, Chet Atkins actually began his music career by playing the fiddle. Born in Luttrell, Tennessee on June 20, 1924, he played the fiddle until he was nine, when he traded a pistol for his first guitar. He got his start by playing in Knoxville, Tennessee on the WNOX Bill Carlisle Show. Chet was frequently fired at radio stations across the country because station executives didn't like his musical arrangements.

His career break came when one of his tapes made it to RCA's Chicago office. Chet made his first record and first Grand Ole Opry appearance in 1946. In 1949, he became the guitarist for RCA, who released his first instrumental album in 1953. Adding vocals to his guitar, his first hit song, Mr. Sandman, was released. A regular at the Grand Ole Opry, he was promoted as manager of RCA's Nashville Division in 1957, and vice president of RCA's country division in 1968. In 1982, Chet left RCA and signed with Columbia to pursue his dream recording a jazz album which was titled Read My Licks.

His awards include 11 Grammys, a Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as nine Instrumentalist of the Year awards from the CMA. Chet Atkins lost his battle to brain cancer on June 30, 2001, at his home in Nashville, Tennessee.