Chet Atkins is born in Luttrell, Tennessee.
Chet Atkins makes his first recording, “Guitar Blues,” for Bullet Records.
Chet Atkins is signed to RCA Records as a solo artist. Two years later, he becomes the label’s premiere session guitarist, too.
Chet Atkins’ debut album, ‘Chet Atkins’ Gallopin’ Guitar,’ is released on RCA.
Chet Atkins plays guitar on “Heartbreak Hotel,” Elvis Presley’s RCA debut single.
Having been promoted to RCA’s manager of operations, Chet Atkins persuades the label to build its own office and studio in Nashville. The result is the world-famous RCA Studio B, a.k.a. “the house that Chet built.”
Chet Atkins plays guitar at the first sessions for his proteges, the Everly Brothers, resulting in such hits as “Bye Bye Love” and “Wake Up Little Susie.”
Chet Atkins produces Don Gibson’s double-sided smash, “Oh Lonesome Me” b/w “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” often cited as the point of origin for the new “Nashville Sound.”
Chet Atkins’ ‘Teensville,’ comprising instrumental versions of rock and roll songs, enters the album chart, where it will peak at #16.
Chet Atkins’ highest-charting album, ‘Chet Atkins’ Workshop’ (#7), is released.
At age 49, Chet Atkins become the youngest inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Chet Atkins parts ways with RCA Records after 30 years. He signs with Columbia Records, for which he will record six albums.
‘Neck and Neck,’ an album of guitar duets by Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler, enters the album chart. It will become Atkins’ highest-charting release since 1966.
Chet Atkins dies of lung cancer at home in Nashville.
Chet Atkins is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the seventeenth annual induction dinner. Marty Suart is his presenter.
