Whose Birthday Is It? June 20, 2018

Chester Burton “Chet” Atkins, Mister Guitar (1924)

Atkins got his first guitar by making a trade with his brother, and it was arguably the best deal he ever made. Although he struggled with shyness and suffered from severe asthma—he had to sleep sitting up and often fell asleep still holding his guitar—he became an accomplished guitarist and went on to release several hit records, develop a signature line of guitars, and help create country music’s “Nashville sound.” What did “Mr. Guitar,” as he came to be known, trade to get that first guitar? More…