View Full Version : Chet Atkins Mandolin Player(s)?
Wolfbane Stevens
Aug-05-2004, 10:41am
Hello, This is my first post!
Just wondering if anybody could help me figure out who has played mandolin with Chet Atkins? A friend gave me a mix tape and there is some really great mandolin pickin' on there, but I have no idea what album it's off of, or who is playing the mandolin.
Did he have a regular mandolin player, or did he just record with a studio musician? I would love to hear more of this guys/gals? playing.
I look forward to your 2 cents! Thanks!
Moose
Aug-05-2004, 11:27am
Probably the late-great Jethro Burns..., who also was Chet's brother-in-law. Lot's of info on this CAFE WEBSITE re: Jethro Burns "a master mandolin player"(and entertainer!)- By-the-way, welcome aboard ; hope you enjoy this CAFE as much as most of us do... Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
more than likely it was Jethro Burns but i also heard a recording with Johnny Gimble playing mando with Chet once.
evanreilly
Aug-05-2004, 12:04pm
I just had to re-post this fine picture here....
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Evan: A "classic" picture. Thank you for (re)posting! - The caption reads ".... a Country Music innovator." - a poor choice of words..., AND a gross understatement (IMHO of course) - RIP Mssrs. Atkins and Monroe. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
onlyagibsonisgoodenuff
Aug-05-2004, 2:23pm
My guess is that Jethro Burns was the mando player you refer to, although I have a recording of the Louvin Brothers with Chet adding some electric guitar breaks. Wierd stuff.
Chet was on the early Louvin recordings. Later it would have been Paul Yandall or Jimmie Capps. BEAUTIFUL..stuff.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif
onlyagibsonisgoodenuff
Aug-05-2004, 2:46pm
Chet was on the early Louvin recordings. Later it would have been Paul Yandall or Jimmie Capps. BEAUTIFUL..stuff.. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif
I don't think I've heard the later stuff, but my take on the Chet Atkins electric leads was that it wasn't really appropriate with the acoustic everything else. Just seemed out of place.
Wadefox
Aug-05-2004, 2:49pm
I was just listening to some early Louvin Brothers with Chet Atkins and thinking to myself that he was playing some really nice guitar on those songs. Just goes to show you how tastes differ.
onlyagibsonisgoodenuff
Aug-05-2004, 2:55pm
Well, oh yeah? LOL. Actually, I thought if Chet had played the same stuff on an acoustic I'd have liked it better.
Michael H Geimer
Aug-05-2004, 3:26pm
" ... who also was Chet's brother-in-law."
Am I right that Chet and Jethro married twin sisters?
evanreilly
Aug-05-2004, 7:52pm
The fellow in the shop apron behind Bill Monroe is the fellow who just had handed Bill back his damaged July 9th, 1923 mandolin, which he (thru Gibson) had been repairing since it was smashed with the fireplace poker. It is Charlie Derrington, who once in a while visits here....<G>
rhetoric
Aug-09-2004, 10:46am
I have an anonymous fiddle-tune (Soldier's Joy, maybe?) on a CD w/ guitar and mandolin. I think it might be Chet and I don't know who the mando player is, but it is FAST! Anyway, at the end of the song there is a slight pause and you hear them both start laughing and one say, "We'll leave THAT one ALONE!" and the other agreeing and laughing. Anybody know who (and where I might track down the legal recording)?!
mrbook
Aug-09-2004, 11:39am
rhetoric,
That is most likely Doc Watson and David Grisman from "Doc & Dawg," available just about everywhere.
Wolfbane Stevens
Aug-09-2004, 11:48am
Hey, you people are great! Thanks for all the responses. #Anybody out there ever happen to catch the Prarie Home Companion from a few years back with Chet Atkins, Johnny Gimble and Willie Nelson? Great Stuff! Thanks again for the info. I am going to have to pick up some of that Jethro.....
Any ideas on a good place to start (album names?)
LeftCoastMark
Aug-09-2004, 2:49pm
Here's an incredible site with 4 CD's worth of "lessons" with Jethro: http://www.robcoleman.com/jethro/default.htm
The recent Carter Family book "Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone" has a great story about the Carter's finding Chet and Jethro working in the house band at a radio station somewhere.
The Carter's hired Chet, and there's a great story about the Carter's refusing to play on the Grand Ol Opry because the Nashville Union Players wouldn't let Chet come with the Carter's.....the Carter's refused the invitations until Chet was allowed to join them in Nashville.
The book has other great anecdotes about Jimmy Rogers, Johnny Cash, and Elvis, just to name a few...