The new Chet Atkins exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame will is now open. It’s a treat for fans of his music, as well as guitar buffs.
The heart of the exhibit is the battered Sears Silvertone guitar Atkins learned to play on. From there, the guitars and career get considerably more impressive.
The exhibit occupies the space previously devoted to Tammy Wynette. Her dream closet has been supplanted by the recreation of Atkins’ home workshop, where he tinkered on guitars and tried to come up with new sounds.
While Chet Atkins is widely associated with modernizing the sound of country music as a producer, portions of the exhibit remind us of his roots and his partnership with the Carter Family. This was the Americana music of the ’40s.
Ten years after his death, Chet Atkins remains one of the most respected figures in Nashville music history. This exhibit is a compelling reminder of his legacy.