Chet Atkins - A Life in Music

Description

As a young man, legendary guitarist and music producer Chet Atkins found a way out of poverty when he picked up his first guitar and began to play. With exceptional talent and determination, Atkins eventually landed in Nashville where he was considered a pioneering force behind what would become known as "The Nashville Sound." Though a performer in his own right, it was Atkins' ear for music and hit songs that made him a highly sought-after producer. He became instrumental in crafting the careers of such stars as Elvis Presley, Eddy Arnold, The Everly Brothers, Waylon Jennings and Charley Pride.

Revered by guitarists worldwide and loved by fans, Atkins was a guitar virtuoso whose musical influences spread beyond country and embraced pop and jazz. He leaves behind a body of work that will be remembered for its distinct flavor and Atkins' ability to make it all look so easy.

Featured in this documentary

Eddy Arnold • Randy Bachman (The Guess Who) • Bobby Bare • George Benson • Suzy Bogguss • Bill Carlisle (The Carlisles) • The Carter Family • June Carter Cash • Tommy Emmanuel • Don Everly (The Everly Brothers) • John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival) • Peter Frampton • Vince Gill • Amy Grant • Steve Howe (Yes) • Waylon Jennings • Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) • Willie Nelson • Dolly Parton • Les Paul • Charley Pride

Average customer rating:

we felt cheated
Not pure joy
Great video...kind of short though
Chet Atkins - a life in music
No music just interviews

Chet Atkins - A Life in Music
Starring: Chet Atkins
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00005KH20
Release Date: 2001-07-03

Amazon.com

This is 44 minutes of pure joy. As a tribute to guitar master Chet Atkins, it's too short by half, but this TNN documentary (originally broadcast nearly 10 months before Atkins died at age 77 in June 2001) succeeds as both a concise chronology of Atkins's career and a loving valentine from the great musicians who benefited from Atkins's mentorship, collaboration, and shared love of music. Every testimony is genuinely sincere, just like Atkins was, and gracefully balanced with Chet's own picking (as astonishing as ever), interview clips, and fond reminiscences of his early days as a Tennessee performer. Appropriate emphasis is given to Atkins's career as a celebrated producer and talent scout, and while Dolly Parton, George Benson, and Suzy Bogguss explain how Atkins supported their careers, other veterans like Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Les Paul describe Atkins's crucial influence in the creation and development of "the Nashville Sound."

All of the interviewees are exceptionally well-chosen, ranging from country legends like June Carter Cash to contemporary guitar heroes like Mark Knopfler (who championed Atkins on their bestselling duo recordings), Steve Howe (from Yes), Peter Frampton, and Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, who dedicates his own unique career to promoting Atkins's legacy. Archival clips show Atkins perfecting his amazing ability to play two melodies at once, providing a rich survey of his mastery throughout six decades of multiple musical styles. At one point, Dolly Parton affectionately praises Atkins for "spreading gold dust around the world," and this splendid show offers ample proof that Atkins's gold will shine forever. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Chet Atkins is a true American music icon. He is the most recorded instrumentalist in history and has been awarded 13 Grammys. From humble beginnings in the hills of Tennessee and through the ups and downs of a career that revolutionalized country music and helped shape rock and roll, the incredible life of Chet Atkins is chronicled through original interviews, archival footage and performances. Guests include Dolly Parton, Mark Knopfler, Les Paul, John Fogerty, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Suzy Bogguss, George Benson, Waylon Jennings, Charley Pride, and Peter Frampton. 44 minutes.

Customer Reviews:

we felt cheated.......2004-02-14

my husband and i have followed chet atkins music for years. we
started with many of his records, then cassette tapes and now
decided to add his wonderful music in cd form.
what a total shock to find as we were playing "chet atkins
a life in music" that it wasn't all music.
we didn't need so many people telling us he was great. we
felt we had been cheated. we also paid $18. for the cd and
nothing to show for it.
helen matson

Not pure joy.......2002-02-06

This is a documentary, this is not a performance DVD. I am pretty disappointed. If you like recording PBS documentaries, then buy this DVD, it has that special salutory educational theme. If you really want to see Chet play..... well, buy a CD and use your imagination instead.

Great video...kind of short though.......2001-11-15

This video is a really good one and is professionally done. The only problem I had with it was it's shortness and the fact that it didn't show him play very much.

Basically, it is a bunch of interviews with Chet and those around him, including a jog through his childhood.

If you want to know more about the man, I would recommend it. If you are looking for videos of his playing, look elsewhere.

Chet Atkins - a life in music.......2001-08-10

Excellent review of Chet's early years, rise to stardom, and producing of other stars. Insight by those he worked with and produced.

No music just interviews.......2001-07-31

I bought this to hear Chet Akins, who recently passed away, play some of his great guitar music. As interview after interview went on I kept thinking that at any moment they would show him at a concert or at a studio playing his guitar. Well whenever he did start to play they overlayed more interviews about how great Chet was. Well he was great I just wanted to hear him prove it once again. A real disappointment.

DVD:

DVD

DVD