Chet Atkins (1924-2001) During his lifetime, Atkins influenced a generation of guitarists such as Jerry Reed, Earl Klugh and Mark Knopfler and changed the face of American popular music as a record producer of the works of such artists as Perry Como, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton. Atkins is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

John Knowles grew up listening to and learning from Chet Atkins recordings. John earned a Ph.D. in physics from TCU and worked in the research lab at Texas Instruments from 1968-70. He and Atkins met in 1973 while John was teaching guitar at Eastfield Community College in Mesquite, Texas. After an early collaboration won a Grammy award, Knowles moved to Nashville where he and Atkins produced a number of educational books and videos. Knowles and Atkins recorded with Liona Boyd and John Pell as The First Nashville Guitar Quartet. In 1996, Atkins awarded Knowles the first Honorary CGP (Certified Guitar Player) degree.