[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL MUSICIANS WEEK

 Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. President, it gives us great pleasure to 
bring to the Senate's attention one of the new premier events in the 
world of music: Chet Atkins' Musician Days.
  Known by many as ``Mr. Guitar,'' Chet Atkins is the most recorded 
solo instrumentalist in music history. As a studio musician, his work 
has gilded the records of artists from Elvis Presley to the Everly 
Brothers to Hank Williams. Chet has been named Musician of the Year 
nine times by the Country Music Awards and has won thirteen Grammies, 
more than any other artist in the history of country music.
  Now it's no secret that the State of Tennessee has provided the world 
with more than its share of great music, from the blues of Memphis' 
Beale Street to the bluegrass of Appalachia to the country sounds of 
Nashville. But it's also true, even in Tennessee, that we sometimes 
forget the performers who stand just outside of the spotlight, the 
musicians who accompany the stars but rarely take center stage. That 
gave Chet Atkins an idea: organize an event to honor the musicians, or, 
as Chet puts it, ``the people who make the singers sound good!'' I now 
yield to my colleague from Tennessee.
 Mr. FRIST. And so, an idea was born. Last June, Nashville saw 
the debut of Chet Atkins' Musician Days, a celebration of the 
contribution of musicians from around the world in every genre of 
music. Over four days, a total of 169 acts comprised of 604 artists 
from seven countries performed at 43 venues throughout the city. From a 
star-studded concert featuring 90 performers at the historic Ryman 
Auditorium, former home of the Grand Ole Opry, to a myriad of informal 
acoustic jam sessions at smaller stages all over the city, it was an 
event that few will soon forget.
  A big part of Musician Days is its focus on the future of music. 
Throughout the festival, budding musicians are encouraged to bring 
their instruments for impromptu sessions with the pros. Proceeds from 
last year's inaugural event went to the Chet Atkins Music Education 
Fund, to be distributed to organizations that encourage the musical 
education of our nation's young people.
  The success of Chet Atkins' Musician Days in 1997 led to plans for an 
even bigger event this year. Next month, thousands of music lovers will 
again descend upon Music City USA for several days of first-rate 
concerts, musical workshops, and good fellowship. As we anticipate this 
year's repeat performance, it seems fitting for us to proclaim the week 
of June 22-28 as ``National Musicians Week'' in honor of these silent 
heroes, the players behind the stars, and the critical role they play 
in the musical legacy we all enjoy.

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