by Fred Gretsch

The Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player exhibition at the Country Music Hall of Fame® & Museum will run through June of 2012. The museum is located in Nashville. Photo by Donn Jones Photography.

Three Generations of the Gretsch Family attended the opening ceremonies. From left, Will Gretsch, company president Fred W. Gretsch, and Fred Gretsch Jr. Photo by Donn Jones Photography.

This past August 10 was a special day for me. I was honored to be asked to speak at the opening ceremonies for the Country Music Hall of Fame® & Museum’s new exhibition honoring guitar great Chet Atkins. And I was extremely proud to be joined not only by my wife Dinah, but also by my son Fred Gretsch Jr. and grandson Will. So I was pleased to be able to say that I was speaking on behalf of six generations of the Gretsch family, three of which were present at the event.

Within the Gretsch family, we consider “enriching lives through participation in music” to be a core mission. So we’re especially pleased that this wonderful tribute to Chet features elements of the Country Music Hall of Fame® & Museum’s School and Family Educational Programs. These  include a Teachers’ Guide and an Exhibit Family Guide, both of which are made available free of charge. These publications are designed to help school classes and families alike get the most educational value from their visit to the exhibition.

As a guitar manufacturer, Gretsch is proud of its long association with Chet Atkins. We’re honored to be the title sponsor for the Country Music Hall of Fame’s tribute to Chet, and we share the Hall’s commitment to ensuring that his unrivaled legacy will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.

For more information on the Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player exhibition, go to countrymusichalloffame.org. For more information on Gretsch, go to gretsch.com.