Chet Atkins
June 3, 2009 — Charlie Daniels and the late Chet Atkins lead the 2009 class of inductees in the Musicians Hall of Fame, announced Tuesday at the museum in downtown Nashville.
Announced by Steve Wariner and Felix Cavaliere of the pop band the Rascals, Chet and Charlie are the best-known individuals among eight new additions, ranging from Motown arranger Paul Riser to the rock band Toto.
Chet — known for his work as a guitarist, artist, producer and record executive — contributed to a bevy of country hits, had a hand in numerous pop and rock recordings of the 1950s and ‘60s and fashioned a bundle of jazz-tinged albums. Steve, who was a member of Chet’s band early in his own career, will release Steve Wariner, C.G.P.: My Tribute To Chet Atkins on June 23.
The Charlie Daniels Band brought Charlie to fame, thanks in great part to his Southern rock hits "The South’s Gonna Do It Again" and "The Devil Went Down To Georgia," but he worked as a session fiddler and guitarist in Music City before he found his commercial slot. He backed Bob Dylan in the studio and played on such significant recordings as Marty Robbins’ "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife," Johnny Lee’s "Cherokee Fiddle" and the Oak Ridge Boys’ Grammy-nominated gospel single "Where The Soul Never Dies."
Despite its classic-rock status, the Los Angeles-based Toto has its own connection to country music. Founding bass player David Hungate left the group after working on its Grammy-winning Toto IV album, becoming a session player in Nashville. In that role, he’s appeared on such hits as George Strait’s "The Fireman," Joe Nichols’ "Brokenheartsville" and Randy Travis’ "Forever And Ever, Amen," among others.
David has "great touch and just brilliant ears," says Steve, who employed David on his own hit "The Tips Of My Fingers." "He’s not only a great bass player, but just a [great] musician in general. A lot of people don’t know it, but he’s an incredible guitar player. He plays an old jazz, tenor-style guitar like nobody can. A lot of people don’t know it, but he’s one of the best guitar players in Nashville. He’s just a musician’s musician."
The new Musicians Hall of Fame members will be ushered in with a celebratory concert October 12 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville.
The full list of inductees includes:
• Chet Atkins: In addition to his own complex recordings, he appeared as a musician on such hits as Elvis Presley’s "Heartbreak Hotel," Don Gibson’s "Sea Of Heartbreak," Hank Williams’ "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)" and the Everly Brothers’ "Bye Bye Love."
• Billy Cox: One of two bass players associated with Jimi Hendrix, he was a member of the band that played the historic Woodstock concert, which marks its 40th anniversary in August.
• Dick Dale: Creator of the California surf guitar sound, he joined Leo Fender in making numerous innovations in renovating the construction of guitar amplifiers and gear.
• Charlie Daniels: Before he became an artist in his own right, he played on a couple of storied sessions in 1970: One had him working in New York with both Bob Dylan and George Harrison; the other had him backing Ringo Starr with Jerry Reed and Elvis guitarist Scotty Moore.
• Victor Feldman: A multi-instrumentalist who began playing drums at age 10, he appeared on hits by James Taylor, Steely Dan and Christopher Cross, as well as Glen Campbell’s landmark country single "By The Time I Get To Phoenix."
• Fred Foster: An influential producer and record executive, he founded the label that brought Roy Orbison to prominence and co-wrote Kris Kristofferson’s standard "Me And Bobby McGee."
• Paul Riser: He designed the instrumental arrangements for such Motown signatures as "Papa Was A Rolling Stone," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "My Girl" and "Tears Of A Clown."
• Toto: David Hungate was not the only member of the technically skilled group to make an impact in country music. Guitarist Steve Lukather was part of Kenny Rogers’ 1983 hit "All My Life" and keyboard player David Paich was among the crew on Glen Campbell’s "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Southern Nights."