Film Screening: Nine Pound Hammer (1998)
Sunday, July 08, 2012 : 2:00pm
Film Screening: Nine Pound Hammer (1998)
Film Screening
In the early twentieth century a few guitar players in Western Kentucky developed a unique style of guitar playing that used the thumb to pick out a steady bass rhythm while the first finger played a melody. This style, which became known as "thumbpicking," was popularized by Capitol Records recording artist and Muhlenburg County native Merle Travis, and had a significant influence on Chet Atkins. This film features stories and performances from eight Kentucky thumbpickers, some of whom have been playing since the time Travis rose to stardom, while others are from a younger generation of guitarists who have carried on and expanded this traditional style. Made Possible by Iron Mountain Film and Sound Archives. Presented in support of the exhibit Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player, made possible by the Gretsch Company. 52 minutes. Free.
The educational programs of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum are funded in part by grants from the Tennessee Art Commission and the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, through an agreement with the Tennessee Art Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
