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Allen Buhoveckey - Brunswick, Ohio
I attended Richard Hood's presentation on the life & times of Chet. I was
remembering most of his story (I have the old Chet autobiography), when he called on Buster DeVault and Chet's sister, Billie Rose, to stand and be
acknowledged. Wouldn't you know it--Billie Rose was seated next to me! We spoke briefly after the presentation, and I DID give her a hug for ALL of
us!
I also did surprisingly well in not breaking into too many tears in the presence of so many
"memories"--until that Saturday night concert, that is! When Bill Spann described Chet's favorite tune ever as Schubert's Ave Maria,
then played by the Hanser / McClellan guitars and Tommy Emmanuel, I simply "lost it"--see, I play a classical guitar solo of that piece in church
occasionally, and it's a favorite of mine, too! I haven't been able to play it since then, however!!
I also caught up with an old friend, John Pell (of "First Nashville Guitar Quartet" fame), after his mini-concert with Richard Smith, Muriel Anderson,
and John Knowles. It's a long story for another time, but suffice to say we had a great and long overdue reunion and supper that evening!
In case you haven't figured it out, I HAD A BALL at CAAS and plan to return for the rest of my life! I'll just have to wait awhile to accomplish
one of my goals: to embrace "Uncle Chet" and tell him how much his music has meant in my life!!!!
See ya soon!
Al B.
Pete Peel - Maineville, Ohio
We stayed at the hotel this year, which was a real plus although I conked out by about 2:30 each morning.
CAAS was great as usual. The variety, the talent level, and the nice people were in abundance.
It seemed like the pro players were on top of their game. I noticed improvement in many players, if that's possible, or maybe it was their song selection, but it was crisp
and sharp. I missed Scotty in the club room, but I got a tape of it. The close ups of his right hand technique are mind boggling.
Was glad to see Ray Cummins on the main stage and in the tribute program. He is a smooth talented player.
I felt sorry for Brent Mason as WE collectively invited him, then booed him when he did what he does for a living.
I'm sure it was a misunderstanding or communications problem, and anyway Brent adjusted and took it in stride then played some great Jerry Reed stuff, and did a good
job of singing on a couple songs.
A friend of ours, a retired minister and great Chet style player was able to attend for the first time. He was duly impressed as well, and really loved the purist like Ray
Cummins, and even bought an Orange Country Gentleman from Ray.
We attended the Country Music Hall of fame on Sunday morning and our friend mentioned above was moved to tears at the Chet Atkins display and had an incredible
knowledge of each of the guitars in that case. Pete and I were moved also.
I wish the display was larger and showed more of Chet's recording/producer career.
I wonder what Caas will be like ten years from now. There was a lot of classical and Latin style playing not that that is bad, but
I wonder what the average age will be in ten years and how the music will change or evolve.
The club room, and hallway events are the heart of CAAS.
I was also pleased to see many interested young people and some very talented ones also.
There was one so called regular entertainer, that was crude rude and I would not miss him at all next year.
He is the only person, two years in a row that I heard cuss or say vulgar suggestive phrases in public.
CAAS 2001 was great and I intend to go back as much as possible.
Pete Peel
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