GARY DANIEL COOK

I began playing guitar at 11 years old. My earliest teachers introduced me to Travis Picking and Chet Atkins styles. My guitar teacher in high school was a "thumbpicker" and also played banjo. He had a beautiful Gretsch Country Gentleman guitar. At age 14 , I would learn country and classical tunes well for my tests... so that I could get my grade. But then I'd head off to practice with my hard rock band after school. Unfortunately, I was sidetracked by Led Zeppelin and other rock bands in high school.

My love for country, blues, jazz and acoustic styles never stopped. When I enrolled at the Dick Grove School of Music ten years later, we had a "fingerpicking" class and again...I was introduced to Cannonball Rag and also Chet tunes. And yet again...I was sidetracked...this time by Coltrane, Miles and other jazz artists. But...the roots stayed with me... and now years later...I've come full circle...but this time I am hanging around for a bit with this stuff.

I was fortunate to meet Chet Atkins in 1996 and actually got to play for him. I was thrilled when he complimented me on my "good pickin." I've been re-learning the guitar "Chet's" way again and loving it. Here's a few videos you might enjoy. Although I'm still a rocker...I am still a country gentleman at heart!