Chet's Very Early Days
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 1:59 pm
I just learned from a local resident that Chet came with Archie Campbell to the grammar school I attended ......more than once! This would have been in the late 40s, or early 50s, only about 2 or 3 years prior to my time there. The school was Evensville Elementary, located about 75 miles from Knoxville in the very small town of Evensville, where I grew up. Wow, if I had only been born earlier! During that same era my dad was very active playing at various venues. He told me that he first met Chet while playing a benefit in Sweetwater, TN. Dad said Chet seemed a little nervous and stumbled a bit on a break, but quickly recovered, cracked a smile and finished in grand style.
I took dad to Chet's last Knoxville concert at the Tennessee Theater. After the show Chet, Johnny Majors, and dad talked for nearly twenty minutes about the old times. I was thrilled to get to inspect and play the HH guitar Chet had there. I remember the carving on the heel and back of the peg head.
My mom and dad were very talented musicians, and they loved Chet's music. My youngest brother and sister told me that every morning they got ready for school listening to Chet or LIT. And every time I stopped by mom would ask me to play "Yellow Bird", a tune I learned from Chet while wearing out the needle on my turntable. Yes, my family and I knew Chet well.....by his life's work. I miss them all.
I took dad to Chet's last Knoxville concert at the Tennessee Theater. After the show Chet, Johnny Majors, and dad talked for nearly twenty minutes about the old times. I was thrilled to get to inspect and play the HH guitar Chet had there. I remember the carving on the heel and back of the peg head.
My mom and dad were very talented musicians, and they loved Chet's music. My youngest brother and sister told me that every morning they got ready for school listening to Chet or LIT. And every time I stopped by mom would ask me to play "Yellow Bird", a tune I learned from Chet while wearing out the needle on my turntable. Yes, my family and I knew Chet well.....by his life's work. I miss them all.