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1924
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Chester Atkins born June 20 in Luttrell, TN
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1933
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Chet begins playing guitar
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1934
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Parents divorce - Chet moves to Georgia to live with father, who teaches him to read music
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1941
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Atkins leaves high school
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1942
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earns solo instrumental spot on WNOX's Mid-Day Merry-Go-Round show
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1942
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Atkins marries Leona Johnson, one of station WLW's singing Johnson Sisters.
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1946
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makes first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, supporting Red Foley
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1946
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makes first recordings, for Bullet Records
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1947
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Chet and Leona have daughter, Merle
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1949
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becomes studio guitarist for all RCA studio's Nashville sessions
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1953
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appointed consultant to RCA's Nashville division
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1953
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Atkins releases one of his signature songs, "Country Gentleman"
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1955
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Atkins' "Mr. Sandman" becomes a pop hit
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1961
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Atkins performs for President Kennedy at the White House
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1965
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scores first top five hit with "Yakety Axe"
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1967
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signs Jerry Reed to RCA
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1967
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Grammy award - best instrumental performance Chet Atkins Picks the Best
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1968
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promoted to vice-president of RCA's country division
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1973
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Atkins became youngest inductee into Country Music Hall of Fame
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1974
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publishes autobiography Country Gentleman
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1977
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ends association with Gretsch guitars. Begins development on Gibson model guitar
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1982
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Atkins leaves RCA and signs with Columbia
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1985
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Grammy award - best country instrumental performance Cosmic Square Dance
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1992
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Grammy award - best country instrumental performance Sneakin' Around
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1996
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Grammy award - best country instrumental performance Jam Man
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