Young Richard Smith (aged 11) with Chet Atkins

[@papagJazz]

Chet was very gracious and kind to new coming talent. Speaks volumes of this humble giant.

[@dsriram2772]

Great talent of course, but I'm blown away by Chet's generosity - bringing this young lad on stage, praising him and then giving him a simple rhythm and bass backup to let him shine. What a wonderful man to mentor talent like that - truly a generous soul.

[@uk922]

I´m pretty sure NOBODY was aware at this time that Richard would become one of the best ..... if not THE BEST ... guitarplayers of all times ! 😳 You know...... when someone like Tommy Emmanuel bows down to you...... you ARE GOOD !

[@DaveDexterMusic]

well no, he was eleven after all

[@pronemanoldbutyoung5548]

​@@DaveDexterMusic No he was in his forties

It goes without saying that Chet Atkins was a master of the guitar, but the truly amazing thing about him was his willingness to mentor the young.

[@bigHinMOTOWN]

Richard Smith "The Entertainer"....give it a listen, you will not be disappointed..epic!

[@coryCuc]

Absolutely unbelievable. Agreed.

[@markcosmedy1976]

bigHinMOTOWN the entertainer

[@Sunakfilth]

I'm learning it now.. He's amazing.

[@brasshouse-og]

It's hard to play and shit but it's the icecream truck so g for Christ's sake. It doesn't even sound cool. I think it's a waste of talent to play that boring add song with it.

[@paulwhelan7781]

It's beyond epic.

[@iaincaimbeul7995]

I WAS ONE OF THE AUDIENCE AT THAT CONCERT...VERY MEMORABLE!

[@kazuhikoshiote3366]

Oh! What a great experience you have!!

[@joebertolucci1993]

iain lorne robertson Campbell eagl Eaght

[@PoppinPortraits]

No need to gloat you lucky person you 😀

[@edkawalec3360]

I saw Richard about a year ago for the first time, truly one of the finest players on the planet, IMHO, after seeing this, I can understand why, his chops back then were phenomenal!

[@johnsilvester5061]

Ed Kawalec bbi

[@alriutort3892]

I saw him tonight in Ponte Vedra. He's incredible.

[@jra2515]

I opened for Richard Smith in Waco, Texas about 10 years ago and played a few Chet Tunes. I was very nervous and he was such a nice guy. I am an accomplished player, but around Richard every one is an amateur except Tommy, Guy Van Duser and John Knowles.

[@budg.6094]

I’m with you all the way. We just need to add Brooks Robertson.

[@45156]

Richard Smith - was better at 11 than I am at 71 - without a doubt among the greates guitarists alive or passed on.

[@nemo227]

The people in that audience have some treasured memories.

[@terrytnm7015]

That was such a time capsule. fast forward to the present day, You went on to become one of the very best players, that play at Chet's level and keep the Chet Atkins legend very much alive. You are a treasure.

[@clark4033]

I dare say there are less than a handful of people Chet would stand back and watch like that ... ever.

[@JFK1180]

What an great man Chet Atkins was. He left behind generations of gitarplayers that ensures that his legacy will always be intact. Smith, Emmanuel, the list is almost endeless. Even Danny Gatton got nervous when Chet was in the audience. I am not even going to talk about him as a producer. That dude was something else.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

As brilliant a musician as Chet was, he was an even better human being. I was privileged to see/hear one of his live performances a few years before his passing - and it was wonderful in every way you can name.

[@fernandocosta3149]

I'm 60 but i wish i could play as Richard when he was 11...

[@pwhitt827]

I’ve went to see Richard perform live several times since the early 2000s and he gives jaw dropping performances every time.

[@JackTheSkunk]

Yep.....Saw him at the Chet Convention a few times in Nashville. He is an incredible talent. About 6 years ago, he even came to my neck in the woods to perform at the Old Courthouse in Inverness, FL. It was only 1/2 drive, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing him again after many years.

[@dielaughing73]

On top of all that talent and hard work, imagine the staggering musical memory required to play so many complex pieces from memory

[@aaronedwards1239]

I believe those are two Peavey Bandit 65s behind Chet. One of the best solid state amps ever produced. My dad (currently 67 years old and still playing lead guitar in the family band) uses one every week on stage to this day. It's from 1983. It's survived thousands of gigs and trips in the equipment trailer. Solid as a rock and still has the original Scorpion speaker in it.

[@sharit7970]

Richard KILLING IT at 11!! Just a taste of what was to come!!

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

Yeah, actually he made quite a few mistakes in this. Especially the second piece. I'm surprised Chet didn't boot him off the stage for mangling it, but Chet was always the perfect gentleman.

[@DarchrowTheEnigma]

@@PreservationEnthusiast Chet Atkins recognize potentials of a talented young man, if he were to discourage him back then, he wouldn't become one of the greatest of this day when it comes to guitar masters.

[@FrettieFingers]

@@PreservationEnthusiast ALL Misteaks are intentional. -Chet Atkins

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

@@FrettieFingers No, I think Chet was really seething over this. Chet was a perfectionist. If this had happened in the studio, the guy would be sacked on the spot. It was only as the guy was young, he cut him some slack.

[@peterdefrankrijker]

I guess he was born with it. What a guy.

[@austenj4539]

What I love about musicians/artists ... they try to encourage the next generation. Bravo to Chet and I can also mention the great Les Paul as well, who was playing in his own club right close to the end with his band and called up anyone on stage to perform alongside.

[@GreggSteinerguitar]

prodigy - someone with a very great ability that usually shows itself when that person is a young child: that's you Richard.

[@chineseloveisrael9041]

I would be wrong if I said, 'Richard, you are amazing'. I should say 'Richard, you've always been amazing'!

[@robersniper]

when chet atkins stops playing to just admire... amazing

[@dfbess]

Wish there was a better recording of this gem..

[@billedwards8249]

Richard is a great guy and one of the very best in the world!

[@JackTheSkunk]

I first saw Richard and his brothers perform at the Chet Atkins convention one year a long time ago. "who ARE these guys"? I asked myself. They were just awesome. Richard was the first guy I ever saw who could switch between Chet's fingerstyle and Django's gypsy style in the SAME SONG. He knocks me out every time I hear him.

[@rogerturner5504]

Amazing! Note for note and phrase for phrase from Chet Atkins Workshop album track 'Whispering'. Unbelievable skill from a very young human.

[@eswing2153]

Wow. Chet as your backup. Fantastic.

[@anthonybardsley4985]

Such a talent at 11 mind blowing.

[@ollieroger3032]

World class. Two of the guitar giants! Wish Richard would have turned to Chet afterwards and said, "Your turn." Chet and the crowd would have eaten that up.

[@andyfaithful_]

Someone like him is born like this, and if he is not gifted with a totally natural talent, he can even study all his life, but he will never reach those incredible levels

[@SchwartzDaddy]

Richard just reached out to me. He wants to play my house concert series in October. I'm literally losing my mind, giggling with happiness!

[@spareparts1017]

Saw him last night with Tommy Emmanuel at Graceland. What an absolute honor! It was spiritual

[@johnmilliken6938]

Just saw Richard at a little theater in Sutter Creek,Ca. Great player!

[@mattdaggett3695]

Chester was wonderful

[@Zach-ls1if]

Dang, I saw Richard play back in June, I had no idea he’d been playing at a high level for so long. I’m gonna throw my guitar away now

[@alriutort3892]

Keep playing and practice

[@Zach-ls1if]

@@alriutort3892 thanks, I will. I appreciate the encouragement

[@rickbullock4331]

I’ll bet Richard’s hat was way tighter on the trip home. Imagine having the one and only Mr. Guitar tell you that you played his song just as good as the master himself. That’s gotta make a kid walk on cloud 9 for a day or two or three. Richard is amazing to listen and watch to this day.👍👍🇨🇦

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

It was a lie though because Richard was making mistakes.

[@lmcoopie]

Many thanks for posting

[@bundr]

Awesome piece of guitar history!! Thank you for uploading

[@stranraerwal]

valoto: Yeah-but a less awesome film-repro.

[@MrRetinas]

Saw Richard in Canberra Australia recently. He was playing support for Tommy Emmanuel. I am sad that Chet awarded Tommy the CGP but not Richard. Richard is just as accomplished a player as Tommy IMHO

[@robertpratt8196]

I heard Tommy remark from the back of the room at a concert where Richard played a particularly difficult piece, "There's maybe one or two people in the world who can play that!"

[@christopherjorissen5582]

Doesn't Tommy also have the honour of awarding CGPs?

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Saw someplace that Richard was awarded a special "CGP" by Chet's family after Chet died..... if anyone deserves it, Richard does....

[@jysmtl]

Christopher Jorissen he should. And if he did he would award one to Richard.

[@coryCuc]

@@christopherjorissen5582 I believe he does.

[@Teddystream.]

This tune is called Whispering and the fox trot version was recorded by Red Nichols five pennies in 1928

[@haanashim]

So amazing!

[@dfrost42]

And played it just as well as I played it..... Buddy, you know good and darn well that kid show'ed you the rare combination of hardwork and talent (OCD on both) lol

[@MrCapi55]

GEM Video, GidBiddy70! Thanks So Much.!

[@josecarlosdejesus7760]

Great litle Richard !

[@daveblevins3322]

Just amazing what gifts that God bestowes upon folks. 👍

[@СергейЛебедев-д3я]

💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐🥇🎸🥇🤩 спасибо огромное за музыку

[@PoppinPortraits]

Richard if you see this, DID YOU WANT TO BE LIKE CHET AT THAT POINT? Now Richard’s the current legend! ❤👈

[@randybock82]

Richard was so modest after shredding a tune.

[@robertlee8042]

I met Richard and spoke to him about his relationship with Chet and he said he didn’t know Chet very well at all. He only met him as a child.

[@alwill1528]

Chet, lovely ! Thanks for the post ! Any more ?

[@DADA-ey2ir]

This is crazy!

[@chrispile3878]

You should hear Richard NOW.

[@Fingerstylelesson]

Richard Smith, at that age all very talented! Could/would he ever be a CGP?

[@gidbiddy7091]

Fingerstyle lesson Only if Chet were still around...

[@benloyd1970]

All the living CGP’s should get together and initiate new ones from time to time. To keep the memory of Chet Atkins alive.

[@pinetree4600]

He's the best in the world

[@cathydew]

Big hands for a little kid!

[@pseltoro4]

im goint to go throw my guitar in the garbage.

[@BarkerT]

I'm sure one of these two guys could get it going

[@randybock82]

Never do that! Pick it up and play it. You will learn something new

[@elevate32767]

Generic name, one of a kind talents!

[@jamesdylandean614]

Richard becomes one of the greatest finger pickers ever!

[@davehinz4598]

That's some Les Paul level of playing. Wow.

[@raymondvaughan6262]

Great players Great to see chet giving kids a great chance richard unbelievable player even at 11 just natural born to play up with the best acoustic player's always great to see him with tommy emmanuel

[@miltdaugherty6965]

no way he is eleven!

[@kechickdon5545]

can i get the title of this song?

[@gidbiddy7091]

Whispering followed by Little Rock Getaway. Both Chet Atkins arrangements.

[@815scorpius7]

I can barely hear the acoustic

[@robsmith8052]

You are hearing it. Rich plays lead on these two tunes whilst Chet backs him up.

[@cedricmallet6086]

what is the name of the first song?,tanks

[@gidbiddy7091]

Whispering

[@cedricmallet6086]

@@gidbiddy7091 tanks

[@zuvarian]

makes me almost believe in reincarnation :)

[@Alan62651]

In guitar terms, Richard has NEVER been young... youthful, perhaps.

[@manomano4848]

Perfectly stated

[@sharit7970]

...maybe when he was like 2... ; )

[@Jap_Schpanker]

@@manomano4848 of😜

[@josecarlosdejesus7760]

19oooooooo

[@TruthSurge]

If I started playing at age 4, I'd be that good by 11 too! Heck, that's 7 years of playing. Kids can learn easier so if you start young you have a HUUUGE advantage. Look at those little Korean girls they forced to be guitarists. They started at like 2 weeks old it seems and they are like 10 years old and playing pretty complex stuff. That tunes is VERY reminiscent of Mr. Sandman..... bring me a dreeeeeam. Same tempo, same couple of chords. But the kid is quite amazing, I admit. He's doing octave chimes. Who taught him that???? No kid would figure that out on his own, I'm betting.

[@richc848]

Thing is, you have to be a 4 year old who wants to play the guitar enough to work on it every day. You have to love it from an early age and be curious enough to explore for yourself, and motivated to do that a lot! On top of that you need the physical strength and dexterity and a quick mind. A lot of things have to fall into place even if you start young.

[@bebborino9557]

I don't agree with you. Sure you have an advantage if you start young... but to get to that level you have to practice like crazy. People have to be more patient with themselves...

[@frankzap6231]

Most 4 year olds lose interest once their fingers hurt after playing a g chord.

[@srnunan4783]

I think it's the opposite, musical talent is something you're born with and for most people by the time you're a teenager you're as good as you'll ever be, sure you might memorise more songs etc as years go on, but your ability is what it is.

[@booooo666]

Listen to requiem for a marionette.. Alfred hitchcock theme.. Aswer

[@johnonorgan]

rude clappeers

[@jessiejames3200]

Never did like that style of music and still don't.

[@jamiepinkerton5919]

Jessie James fuck off then

[@kellio48]

Well, why bother listening and commenting on something you obviously know nothing about?

[@kellio48]

The video has nothing to do with music style and everything to do with displaying the natural raw talent of such a wonderful and gifted individual at such a young age. There is little doubt that the mature Richard Smith is one of the most accomplished and talented finger style guitarists on the planet regardless of whatever style he's playing and making comments like you did is likely to see you digitally end up in the same way as your name sake @Jessie James.

[@yulinbilladavidwilliam7962]

dick head

[@yulinbilladavidwilliam7962]

oops, this is for Jesse James pointless comment

[@gidbiddy7091]

SEE RICHARD LIVE THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 AT 8 PM CDT Richard Smith LIVE on NashvilleTuneStream facebook page