Chet Atkins' Musician Days, a festival slated for June 23-29 in Nashville to honor musicians, represents the legendary guitar player's commitment to his peers all over the world.
The event will feature free public performances at several outdoor acoustic stages as well as ticketed events at the world-famous Ryman Auditorium (former home of the Grand Ole Opry).
"This concept by Chet Atkins provides a way to salute musicians through an annual event to celebrate the contribution of music representative of every genre," said Tom Morales, president of TomKats, Inc., producer of the event. "Chet Atkins' Musician Days will entertain while honoring the musician. It will also have an education element that allows amateur musicians to jam with the masters," Morales said.
The legendary guitar player approached Morales with'the idea of producing an event similar to France's "Fete de la Musique" (Feast of Music), which involves the community in honoring the musician. As a result of Atkins' idea, TomKats executives (TomKats, Inc. - 408 B.-3adway - Nashville, Tennessee 37203 - Phone (615)256-9596 - Fa. (615)256-5055) - met in Washington, D.C. in November with representatives of 12 nations to invite those countries to join in the festivities.
Atkins and TomKats, Inc. have opened the events to musicians from all over the world. Those interested in performing should contact TomKats, Inc., 408 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203 or call 615/256-9596. A web-site has been created for Musician Days at www.musiciandays.com. The event will benefit music education for young musicians.
"Chet Atkins' dream of the City of Nashville becoming filled with different kinds of music in varied venues will become a reality June 23-29. International musicians will - f
serve as honorees rom each respective country and will showcase their unique styles of music as a part of the program of events," said Morales. "Nashville is known as Music City USA around the world, and this will be the first opportunity the city has had to host this caliber of distinctly different musicians instead of primarily showcasing our native country music," he said.
"Tribute will be paid to this important style of music but as a part of the world's musical heritage along with the others to be highlighted during this weeklong celebration," said Morales. "With the number of musicians living in the Nashville area, it should certainly be one of the best-represented kinds of thusic," he said.
For more information about Chet Atkins' Musician Days, contact TomKats, Inc., at 615/256-9596.
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