70-Year-Old Songs: Red Wing

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Technically, this song is about 120 years old. But the recording I’m highlighting “only” goes back to 1954. As I continue to celebrate my birthday this month here’s the next song on the list that’s turning 70 this year (or this particular version of it is ). Red Wing - Chet Atkins One of the funniest things I’ve ever read about Chet’s career came from his own autobiography. He said that RCA was reluctant to sign him solely as an instrumentalist, so A&R man Steve Sholes asked him if he could sing. “‘Sure,’ I lied,” Atkins wrote. That’s okay, because Chester could sure play the fire out of that guitar. As I said, this song goes back to 1907, and it’s been a longtime favorite of fiddlers and guitarists. In fact, I was so used to it being an instrumental that I was surprised when I heard a version with lyrics. Since Jerry Byrd and Dale Potter take turns showing what they could do with a steel and fiddle, respectively, I’ll warn Linda NOT to listen. Maybe the first minute or so. For everyone else, enjoy a little picking from one of the greats. Red Wing Written by F.A. Mills and Thomas Chattaway Recorded by Chet Atkins From A Session With Chet Atkins, 1954 Pick that guitar!