When I First Heard Chet

James Childers - "Chief" -  Inductee Georgia Country Hall of Fame

I was born in Crandall, Ga. on a farm about 90 miles south of Knoxville, Tn. and WNOX Radio in Knoxville was easier to pick up than the Atlanta or Chattanooga stations so each day at noon after the big war in the 40's we listened to WNOX and this fiddle playing guitarist named Chet Atkins was on that station playing with various vocalists. This was before he was commercial and was just a sideman. 

Sometime around 1947/48 he came to my grammer school with others from WNOX to put on a show and my Mother and I went to see him just because of his ability to play guitar. I do not recall who else was on the show. 

He was very influential to me even at his young age of probably 22 at the time. Also, at that time my Mother could play some stuff he could not play. I will forever feel a close relationship to Chet as if I grew up with him. J.C.