Chet Atkins

It was a great thrill to listen every night and hear him on NBC radio. Les played just as great then. And then later on, in the 1950s, Les Paul turned the whole world on to guitar. He’s just a terrific, flashy, tasty guitarist.

Everything I’ve ever done was out of fear of being mediocre.

Once you become predictable, no one’s interested anymore.

Music does not come to you. You have to come to it and you’ll walk away with something you didn’t have before.

The value of music is not dazzling yourself and others with technique.

Everybody has somebody that they patterned themselves after.

Jazz is a democratic musical form. We take our respective instruments and collectively create a thing of beauty.

You only go around once and this ain’t no rehearsal.

It is Jazz’s very nature to change, to develop and adapt to the circumstances of its environment.

I see my body as an instrument, rather than an ornament.

I like what I hear other guys doing, but the thing that really attracts me is melodic playing.

It’s Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, you know. They got a musical mind together and uh, you can’t explain it.

10% of musicians make 90% of the money, while the remaining 90% of musicians make the 10% that’s left.

I don’t care about the rules, if I don’t break the rules at least 10x every song then I’m not doing my job.

Other than conversation, no other art form can give the satisfaction of spontaneous interaction like Jazz.

Difference between sex and love? Well, you’re not always sure you’re in love. But when you’re having sex, there’s really no mistaking it.

Miles Davis is one who writes songs when he plays.

The expression of freedom that is Jazz improvisation mirrors the ethos of the best parts of society.