Chet Atkins: Me and My Guitars (Russ Cochran Books) [Paperback]

Russ Cochran (Author), Chet Atkins (Author)

Book Description

Series: Russ Cochran Books | Publication Date: May 1, 2003

Chet Atkins: Me and My Guitars is, without a doubt, the most comprehensive and enlightening book on Chet Atkins ever published. A friend of Atkins' for 40 years, Russ Cochran was privy to stories from Chet that even the most knowledgeable Chet fan would never know about. Chet tells it all in his own words about his childhood, his playing influences and early struggles to find work, along with insight into the guitars he used and endorsed along the way. The book includes full-color photos of Chet and his guitars, many only previously seen in a limited collector's edition. Photographer Wolf Hoffman manages to expertly capture the images of some very famous guitars played by Chet, including his first Sears Roebuck Silvertone, custom made D'Angelicos, the Gretsches, and the prototype models of the current Gibson Country Gentleman guitars. Over 60 guitars in Chet's private collection are photographed in Chet's home and his office on Music Row. Chet speaks about each of his important guitars - including the Gibson L-10 which his brother Jim gave him - telling the story of his career as seen through his guitars. More than just a pictorial review of his guitars throughout the years, it's a fascinating look inside the mind of history's greatest guitar player. This book will appeal to guitar collectors and Chet Atkins fans everywhere. Full-color and B/W photos throughout.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Chet Atkins has a deserved reputation as a great guitar player and all round nice guy. So it's a pleasure to see a book that is part biography and part history of his personal guitars...it is a sumptuous product, with beautiful photography.' VINTAGE GUITAR '...a superb piece of work.' JERRY REED

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard; 1 edition (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0634055658
• ISBN-13: 978-0634055652
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,074,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFUL GUITAR PICTURES & STORIES, July 1, 2003

By 

Gregory S Sones (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chet Atkins: Me and My Guitars (Russ Cochran Books) (Paperback)

At first I just meant to thumb through a few pages but Chet's easy-going and enjoyable writing style sucked me in. The next thing it was 2 am and I'd finished most of the book. Although I suffered the next day at work I didn't mind it a bit.

If you like vintage guitars or Chet Atkins' playing I can't recommend this book strongly enough. It is full of beautiful color pictures and behind-the-scenes descriptions of the development of some very interesting and historic instruments. Chet's stories of the people he played with, the guitars he played and the music he made are wonderful and totally engrossing. Buy this book today!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Illustrated With Engaging Narrative, January 8, 2004

By 

Andrew Smith (Howrah, Tasmania Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chet Atkins: Me and My Guitars (Russ Cochran Books) (Paperback)

Chet relates the story of his life and describes the guitars he owned and helped design in an easy-going, yet informative, manner in this book, which is lavishly illustrated with photographs of his guitars. As a country music enthusiast, I found Chet's story to be very interesting -- he had much more contact with some of the early artists (such as Karl Davis and Bill Carlisle) than I'd realised. Chet's narrative is characterised by his modesty and generosity to others: for example, he relates how Mother Maybelle Carter and her family fought some elements of the Nashville establishment to ensure he was permitted to play in Music City; and he is very complimentary of other guitarists (e.g. to Australia's Tommy Emmanuel).
I have no hesitation in recommending this book to any country-music enthusiast or country guitarist, though the book also has a much wider appeal.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Chet Atkins Treasure!, March 16, 2006

By 

GRR "Chet Fan" (MIssouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chet Atkins: Me and My Guitars (Russ Cochran Books) (Paperback)

As I Chet fan, I am always wanting more photos, information etc. on Chets's life, guitars, equipment and technique. This book is fantastic!! The book quality is superb and the photos are exquisite! I am very well pleased to have this book in my Chet collection.