NEW YORK, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- TNN honors elder statesman Chet Atkins in ``CHET ATKINS: A LIFE IN MUSIC'' Tuesday, Sept. 5 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT). The special features fellow artists Peter Frampton, Willie Nelson, Les Paul and Dolly Parton explaining what influence the legendary Atkins has had on their careers. The special chronicles Atkins' extraordinary life using archival interviews of the star telling his own story, in addition to photographs, archives, home movies and memorabilia from his personal library.
The special also features interviews with Eddy Arnold, Randy Bachman of ``Guess Who,'' jazz great George Benson, Suzy Bogguss, Bill Carlisle, June Carter Cash, Don Everly, Peter Frampton, newlyweds Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Harlan Howard, Steve Howe of ``Yes,'' Waylon Jennings, Garrison Keillor, Mark Knopfler and Charley Pride.
Known as ``Mr. Guitar,'' Atkins is the most recorded solo instrumentalist in music history. As a studio musician, his work has gilded the records of Elvis Presley, Kitty Wells, The Everly Brothers, Hank Williams and dozens of other legends. His style has influenced such pop greats as Mark Knopfler, George Harrison, George Benson and Eddie Cochran, as well as thousands of country pickers. He has won nine Country Music Association awards as Musician of the Year, four Playboy jazz poll honors and thirteen Grammies, more than any other artist in the history of country music.
Dolly Parton says of Atkins, ``When you say Chet Atkins, you might as well say Elvis Presley. Everybody knows Chet.'' Willie Nelson adds, ``To me, Chet is the guy who did more good for pickers and artists than any other human being.''
As the head of RCA Records, Atkins propelled an entire generation of country stars to fame -- Dottie West, Waylon Jennings, Bobby Bare, Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Jerry Reed, Charley Pride and Eddy Arnold were all signed and/or produced by Atkins. He built the famed RCA Studio B, said to be the most hit-generating studio in the history of Nashville's Music Row.
CHET ATKINS: A LIFE IN MUSIC is produced by Westville Productions for TNN with executive producer Al Greenfield.
SOURCE: TNN
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