| Life 'n Times In Cowboy Country
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In Memory Of Chet Atkins
I was at the NAMM trade show in Chicago the summer of 1986.
I had been to the Yamaha booth watching a new kid named
Scotty Anderson. I was still in shock as I made my way to
the Gibson booth and then I got really sick when my rep said
"you just missed Chet Atkins. He just left the booth two
minutes ago." Well Vince hated to see a grown man cry, so
he reached in his coat and pulled out an ingraved invite to
Chet's hotel suite for a little private gathering for top
Gibson executives and big shot dealers. Needless to say, I
was there an hour early. I knocked on the door and a nice
gentleman said come back later because Chet was resting and
he closed the door in my face. I did not move but stood
patiently at the door for one hour and then I knocked again.
This time the nice gentleman let me in and there stood Chet.
I thought I was going to faint!!! He was standing there
eating a bite and watching a golf game on TV. Chet finally
realized there was some hillbilly from Oklahoma standing in
the room with his mouth open staring at him. He spoke to me
and I didn't know whether to speak back or just get prone on
the floor in front of him. He was so nice.
He saw me staring at his right hand. His index finger nail
looked horrid. He laughed and said, " do you know what
this is?" He was holding out his hand to show me his nails,
and then he said " it's a ping pong ball!!! Best thing I've
found to fix a broke fingernail." Here is the world's
greatest guitar genius and he fixed his own finger nail by
cutting out a fake nail from a a ping pong ball and glueing
it on with super glue. I was totally amazed.
He finally looked around and asked if anyone was ready for
him to play. I shouted out that I was. I had no idea that
I was actually going to get to hear and see him play. He
started to get his guitar case from across the room and I
asked him if I could get it for him. I wanted to tell the
boys back home that I had actually carried Chet Atkin's
guitar!!! He found that amusing and allowed me the honor.
He then opened up his high dollar equipment case (a paper
sack) and dug out some cheap looking cables and a chorus
pedal. He thought this was kind of funny as well. He then
plugged in to two small Marshall amps and the Magic began.
Nothing in my life will ever compare to that afternoon
sitting four feet away from Chet Atkins and listening
.....watching.... the master. That touch, that tone, that
fluid flowing music that only Chet could produce.
What wonderful talent that God gave us for a little while.
I sure miss him.
In Loving Memory,
Pastor Lynn Walker
Cowboy Country Church
Chickasha, OK