The Chetboard

Ive heard how Chet was really greatful for all his fans and took time for his fans and treated them good but what im wondering is what was Chets personality like? Could a fan set down and pick something for him, would he listen? Because i know some guys just get stuck up and they treat everyone like trash, but just wondering what kind of fella Chet was?

He was soft spokenbut very engaging if someone wanted to play something for him. One of his things was to hand someone a guitar and say "Play something for me" probably to encourage the musician and at the same time maybe catch a new idea.

Watch this and you'll get an idea what his personality was like. This is the Chet I remember the two times I saw him close up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGr1JYSGtM4

The only time I saw Chet play was at the opening of the Bellevue Mall in Nashville, in the early 90's. Stanley Jordan was on the bill. I went behind the stage as soon as the show was over, but Chet was walking towards the door with someone carrying hs guitar (I think it was Paul). I didn't want to holler at them, so I let them go. I did meet Stanley, and he was very nice.

In hindsight, I wish I would have chased Chet down.....but i guess that really isn't me.

He was wonderful to behold live, though.

Later, I told John Knowles about attending this show, and he told me he was there as well....

Never had the pleasure to meet Chet, so I cherish all the recordings, videos, stories I can find.

Here's a few of Chet's remarks on the close of one of his DVD's. Just in this short clip, there are so many qualities to glean about 'who Chet was'. Sincere, humble, funny, confident, honest and so many more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFfq-Avw ... e=youtu.be

He's talking fast but there is a lot of wisdom there if you pay attention to what he says...

Here a are a lot of testimonies on how humble and generous a person Chet was towards his fans. It is to found on misterguitar.com.

http://misterguitar.us/metchet/index.html

Me and Robert Henry hung around Chet probably more than any other fan I know except Ted Walters. it all started in the early 80's when I sneaked into a sound check and we got to know Chet's road manager, George Lunn.

Thankfully, George recognized us as really rabid fans and passed it on to Chet. And the flood gates were opened. We became like little roadies running out to get new strings for Chet or fetching his fiddle he left at the hotel. Sometimes
when we met him at the airport we would give him a ride to the hotel or venue. Always, we hung around the hotel or concert hall,often missing meals, to make sure we wouldn't miss him.

At the 1986 CAAS we slyly invited ourselves to his home under the pretense to see his recording studio. To my chagrin we woke him out of his afternoon nap but he kindly let us browse his studio anyway.

He gave my son, Douglas Chet, a watch for his birthday. He always accomodated our endless requests for autographs and pictures. He gave me the title of his Official,Unofficial photographer.

There was so much more but to get to the point Chet was as laid back in person as he was on stage. He was humble and gracious and polite to us and everybody else he spoke to or about. He was humorous. He liked to hear Robert's jokes and even repeated one on stage. He was a caring person. One time at the airport when some of the band failed to show up from the hotel he immeadiately stopped eating breakfast and ran off to search for them.

There was nothing special about us. I've heard other stories and seen for myself how Chet interacts with fans. One time after a concert Chet was signing autographs. A small boy came to him and said he would like an album but did not have any money. Chet directed him to Carolyn(Campbell) and told the boy to tell her he(Chet) said to give him an album for free.

I'm sorry I didn't pick Chet's brain more. I was always tongue tied and afraid of saying something stupid. But I am grateful for the memories I have to cherish. I just hope my sons, whom I dragged to every concert, will understand what a special time it was to be with Chet.

David

David, I´m convinced Chet could feel the affection and admiration you and other fans had towards him, and that it made him a very happy man.

Thats awesome, i really like how Chet was always a little embarrassed when people called him the greatest guitar player. I really enjoy his music and I'm glad he was someone you could look up to outside of playing the guitar.

Dave I remember those shirts. Didn't you have some at the 86 convention?