Belmont University professor, noted music historian, and author of more than thirty books, Don Cusic is pleased to announce the upcoming release of his latest work, Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar, published by the University of Georgia Press. Slated to arrive in June 2025—what would have been the legendary musician’s 101st birth month—this comprehensive biography is available now for pre-order on Amazon.
In Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar, Cusic paints a vivid portrait of one of the most influential American guitarists of the twentieth century, widely regarded for shaping the “Nashville Sound” and inspiring generations of musicians. From Atkins’s early life in Luttrell, Tennessee, to his groundbreaking work as an RCA Victor executive and producer, the book delves into his sweeping impact on country, pop, and even the early rock and roll scene. With in-depth exploration of Atkins’s collaborations—ranging from Red Foley to Elvis Presley—and insights into his innovative guitar designs, this new title offers an unparalleled look at the legend behind more than one hundred solo albums and fourteen Grammy wins, including a Grammy for “Lifetime Achievement.”
Don Cusic is a Curb Professor of Music Industry History at Belmont University, where he has taught leading artists such as Brad Paisley and Chris Young. Renowned as a historian of U.S. popular music, he has authored numerous biographies of influential musicians, including Eddy Arnold, Roger Miller, Merle Haggard, and Gene Autry. A special correspondent for Billboard magazine and consultant for Ken Burns’s documentary Country Music, Cusic also contributes to various trade publications and reference works. With Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar, he offers a meticulously researched, deeply human perspective on one of the most revered figures in American music.
For more information and to reserve your copy, please visit the University of Georgia Press or pre-order on Amazon. The book will be officially released in June 2025.
