Chet Atkins

by Frank M. Roberts

November 2016

A good gift idea would be to enjoy a "Last Date" date with, of course, songwriter/performer, Floyd Cramer. He is part of what is called, The Nashville Sound and, if you are looking for the main 'Sound' man that would, of course, be Chet Atkins.

A lot of today's country offerings are sound - too much sound - a cacophony of sound. The Nashville Sound country-pop mix became popular in the 1950s. The gents mentioned above are no longer with us but their creations can still be heard and, by family members, two of whom tour regularly presenting concerts that stick thisclose to the original arrangements the way the forbears liked it.

The talented twosome are Jason Coleman, Cramer's grandson - and Meagan Taylor, Atkins' great-niece. If you were around a few decades ago the duo and their band will evoke some wonderful memories. What you heard yesteryear you will hear this year.

Their show is informal - music, conversation, banter with the audience, autograph sessions - "like being with you in the living room," Taylor said.

Coleman, of course, plays the '88' and his partner-friend illustrates her guitar prowess. There will be some vocal harmonizing, and there is often a special guest. Taylor has three children - 7, 4, and 2. The oldest is usually on stage. Yep - the legacy continues. Coleman is married - no children yet as of this interview from Nashville.

It is, of course, a sure bet you will recognize the music. "We have no original songs," Coleman said, Taylor adding, "we stay close to the original arrangements." And, that's the way the fans like it --- right, fans?

She added, "we offer music you don't hear on radio any more." Said music, as noted, is known as The Nashville Sound and, here is what it is all about: It sort-of replaces honky-tonk and straight ahead country with a more contemporary sound. Atkins, of course, is credited with being a major force. The 'Sound' jumped the musical barrier as it enticed a wider audience.

Another plus: Nashville, of course, has always been country music headquarters. Now, thousands of artists, covering a variety of fields, flock to Music City, U. S. A. every year, each hoping to be the next musical discovery.

Thanks to the 'Sound' enticing a wider country audience, it brought the genre out of a slump. Atkins played solo, backed up many of the best-known artists, and produced much of the music. As happens so regularly in showbusiness, the younger generation, surrounded as they were by country chords and notes, plus talented family members, easily slipped into the family spotlight.

The Coleman-Taylor twosome travel year-'round, and they have cut two CDs together. Interestingly, they didn't know each other in their growing-up years, meeting only after being introduced by family members. "Music is my career," Taylor said. She is talking mainly, of course, about the 'Sound' - "the era of grandpa and uncle. We play songs you may not have heard in a decade. The older and middle-aged people grew up with our music," Coleman said, Taylor happily adding that the younger people who come to their concerts also enjoy their music.

Some of their offerings have have symphony orchestra backgrounds, such as appearances with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra. Coleman also appeared with the Grand Ole Opry, and played at the Country Music Hall Of Fame Medallion Ceremony recognizing his grandfather's induction in the Hall Of Fame. He also backed Christian artist, Greg Long.

The couple are approaching the 200-concert milestone and show no signs of slowing down. To use some modern phraseology, he and Taylor are having a blast. "Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for the life I've been given," Coleman said.

Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, the concerts always end with - altogether now - "Last Date." I hope not.

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For the technically music-minded, this bit of information: The inventive Atkins perfected the ability to play chords and melody simultaneously, due to his distinctive 'thumb-and-three-finger' picking style. He explained it more directly: "I just had a damn guitar in my hands 16 hours a day, and I experimented all the time."

He had worked with Hank Williams on, "Your Cheatin' Heart," Elvis's "Heartbreak Hotel," and on several Everly Brothers hits. His own instrumental only solo albums are noted for guitar tricks, mixing harmonics, arpeggio, and pure notes with a clear tone. Fellow guitarist, Duane Eddy, put it this way: "I think he influenced everybody who picked up a guitar."

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A note about that "Last Date." It became a bigger pop than country hit. It climbed to number two on the Billboard chart. Number one at the time? "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by E. P.

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A quick look at some Nashville Sound artists: Jim Reeves, Ferlin Huskey, The Browns, Patsy Cline, Dottie West, Charley Pride, Eddy Arnold and, one of the finest - Ray Price.

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Many, many moons ago I interviewed Atkins. He was soft-spoken, pleasant, likable, but a tough interview. He was quiet, mild-mannered and answered questions with 'yes' or 'no'.

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A quckie about the gal country singer who sang so naturally, people put cotton in their ears ------ y'all.! Finally, this is bad and I apologize in advance: "What has 25 legs and seven teeth? The front row at a hillbilly concert."