On the afternoon of January 25, 2005 it was my great pleasure and honor to perform at the book release party for Chet Atkins: In Three Dimensions, Vol. 2 by John McClellan and Deyan Bratic (Mel Bay Publications, Inc., 2005). The event was held at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, the perfect venue to honor Chet Atkins. This was not your typical promotional event; rather, it was a celebration of the life of a legend. John McClellan had skillfully and tastefully arranged this private affair. To the delight of all, Chet's family and a select group of his oldest and dearest friends, many of who were featured in candid interviews in the two Chet Atkins: In Three Dimensions books, were in attendance.

John had arrived in town the previous evening and, as usual, was running at ninety miles- an-hour, pumped with enthusiasm. On the morning of the event, he had scheduled a television interview with Charlie Chase and a radio interview with Bill Cody of WSM. We stayed up until midnight reviewing music to be performed and discussing general plans for the event. The day of the release party dawned very early and John was out the door by 6:00 A.M. on his way to the interviews. I stayed glued to the TV and the radio and can confirm that John did a great job.

The entire project has been a work of passion for John. His own story is one of a young boy from southern Missouri who was inspired to master the guitar by his hero, Chet Atkins. John learned many of Chet's arrangements by listening to his records, and grew up thinking that just about any guitarist could play Chet's material. We all know that isn't necessarily true. Much later, as a guitar professor at Webster University in the St. Louis area, John discovered that one of his students, Deyan Bratic, was particularly gifted as a transcriptionist. Thus was born the partnership that produced the music, interviews and rare photos in the Chet Atkins: In Three Dimensions books.

We arrived at the Hall of Fame and checked everything out- the seating, the PA system, the catering. It was a go! The first to arrive was none other than Vince Gill. Being at the Country Music Hall of Fame and having Vince Gill stroll in would catch anyone's attention! The special guests began to arrive; Some such as Vince and Eddy Arnold are known to the general public, but most were the faces of those who worked with Chet on a daily basis to create what's become known as the "Nashville Sound". Musicians, songwriters, publishers, producers, engineers and others came simply to remember a friend.

After an emotional intro- duction from John, a few of us performed songs that are remembered as part of Chet's legacy. In typical fashion, John requested that Elena Koral and I perform a tribute to Mr. Eddie Arnold. Considering the emotional impact on the audience, it was altogether fitting and appropriate. John McClellan and John Knowles would also perform.

As the evening drew to a close, John McClellan asked the gathering to share their memories of Chet. The stories were priceless- often funny and, yes, many times tearful. This event had a special power that words cannot adequately describe. It brought friends together to honor one of their own in a manner that probably won't be repeated, at least not with the same people in one room together. While the event was ostensibly a book promotion, it was so much more. It conveyed the love and respect we all feel for our friend, Chet Atkins.