''The Early Years 1946–1957'' is a five-disc compilation recording by

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...

guitarist

Chet Atkins Chester Burton Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001), also known as "Mister Guitar" and "the Country Gentleman", was an American musician who, along with Owen Bradley and Bob Ferguson (musician), Bob Ferguson, helped create the Nash ...

, released in 2007.

History

The 158 tracks on this five-disc compilation cover Atkins' career from his very first single ("Guitar Blues") released on Bullet Records to 1957 and '' Finger Style Guitar''. The selections include quite a few of Atkins' vocal performances, from the very earliest 78's he recorded. The releases are placed in chronological order, so following Atkins' career steps is both educational and enlightening — especially to those seeking to hear his development as a guitarist. Discs four and five represent Atkins as one of Nashville's leading studio musicians as well as his own solo albums. The liner notes are extensive and include an essay by Drew Kent.

Reception

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

stated in their review: "The result is an entertaining and compelling look at the formative years of a crucial figure in the growth of country music, and guitar fans will get a fine buzz from the first-class picking that graces nearly every cut."

Personnel

*Chet Atkins – guitar, vocals *Rosalie Allen – vocals *James Atkins – guitar *Billie Rose Atkins – vocals * George Barnes – guitar *Beasley Singers – vocals *Joe Biviano – accordion *

Harold Bradley Harold Bradley may refer to: Others * Harold Bradley (guitarist) (1926–2019), American country and pop guitarist * Harold Bradley (pianist) (1906–1984), Canadian pianist * Harold Bradley (trade unionist) (1895–1979), British trade union leade ...

– guitar *

Jethro Burns Jethro is a male given name meaning "excellence". It is derived from the Hebrew word ''Yithrô''. People named Jethro * Kenneth C. "Jethro" Burns (1920–1989), mandolin player in satirical country music duo Homer and Jethro * Jethro Frankli ...

– mandolin, vocals *

Jerry Byrd Gerald Lester Byrd (March 9, 1920 – April 11, 2005) was an American musician who played the lap steel guitar in country and Hawaiian music, as well as a singer-songwriter and the head of a music publishing firm. He appeared on numerous radio p ...

– lap steel guitar *Fran Carroll – bass *Anita Carter – bass *Helen Carter – vocals *Al Chernet – guitar *Donna Colleen – vocals *Farris Coursey – drums *Johnny Degeorge – drums * Danny Dill – vocals *

Ray Edenton Ray Quarles Edenton (November 3, 1926 – September 21, 2022) was an American guitarist and country music session musician. Early life Ray Edenton was born into a musical family on November 3, 1926, and grew up near Mineral, Virginia. His fi ...

– guitar *Austin Footrell – vocals *Malcolm Gold – organ, piano *"Papa" John Gordie – celeste, piano *

Buddy Harman Murrey Mizell "Buddy" Harman, Jr. (December 23, 1928 – August 21, 2008) was an American country music session musician. Career Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Harman studied music at Roy C. Knapp School of Percussion. He returned to Nashville ...

– drums * Henry "Homer" Haynes – guitar, vocals *Marvin Hughes – organ, piano, celeste *Charles Hurta – fiddle *Louis Innis – guitar, vocals *Bud Isaacs – pedal steel guitar *Aaron Kerr – organ *

Anita Kerr Anita Jean Kerr (''née'' Grilli; October 13, 1927 – October 10, 2022) was an American singer, arranger, composer, conductor, pianist, and music producer. She recorded and performed with her vocal harmony groups in Nashville, Los Angeles, and ...

– vocals, choral arrangements *Red Kirk – vocals *

Millie Kirkham Millie Kirkham (born Mildred Eakes; June 24, 1923 – December 14, 2014) was an American singer who was featured on many classic hit recordings from the mid-1950s through the 1980s. Early life Kirkham was born Mildred Eakes in Hermitage, Tenn ...

– vocals *Angus P Klein – accordion *Phil Kraus – drums *Buck Lambert – fiddle *Randy Lanham – guitar *

Grady Martin Thomas Grady Martin (January 17, 1929 – December 3, 2001) was an American session guitarist in country music and rockabilly. A member of The Nashville A-Team, he played guitar on hits such as Marty Robbins' "El Paso", Loretta Lynn's " Coal M ...

– guitar *Elbert R. "Dutch" McMillan – clarinet *Ernie Newton – bass *Dale Potter – fiddle *Jack Shook – guitar *Harold Siegel – bass *

Hank Snow Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow (May 9, 1914 – December 20, 1999) was a Canadian country music guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He recorded 140 albums and charted more than 85 singles on the ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' country charts betw ...

– guitar, vocals *

Brock Speer Brock Speer (December 28, 1920 – March 29, 1999) was an American gospel singer. He was a bass for the Speer Family Southern Gospel musical group and was a leader in Southern Gospel music. One might say that Southern Gospel music was Speer's ...

– vocals *"Holly" Swanson – bass

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Early Years 1946-1957, The 2007 compilation albums Chet Atkins compilation albums