Chet Atkins

Chester Burton Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001), nicknamed "Mister Guitar" and "the Country Gentleman", was a fingerpicking guitar player, arranger and producer who, along with Owen Bradley and Bob Ferguson, created the Nashville sound, the country music style which expanded its appeal to adult pop music fans. He was primarily a guitarist, but he also played the mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and ukulele, and occasionally sang. Atkins's signature picking style was inspired by Merle Travis. His other major guitar influences were Django Reinhardt, George Barnes, Les Paul, and, later, Jerry Reed.