re: Chet Atkins nephew
TBooth3313
Date: 6-27-2004
Subject: David Church, to perform with Dennis Williams, Nephew of Chet Atkins
(Legendary Guitarist) at Summerfest (update on Summerfest)
To: Editorial Manager/Entertainment Editor
From: Randy Shilling
Executive Director, TC Marketing & Entertainment
David Church will be performing in on July 9th at this years Summerfest in
Escanaba, MI. Dennis Williams, the nephew of Legendary thumb-style
guitarist, Chet Atkins. Dennis plays the same style as his late uncle, and is
an accomplished guitarist. According to many, you can’t tell the difference!
He followed his legendary Uncle around the US, attending as many shows as he
could and started playing on one of Chet’s guitars, which is now in a museum
in Georgia. Williams has performed all over the US with many famous musicians
including Brett Styles of the Tonight Show. He played numerous years with the
Warrior River Boys. He performs every year at the Chet Atkins Festival, the
Merle Travis Festival, Hank Williams Festival, and Jimmy Rodgers Festival. He
recently received an award from the Jimmy Rodgers festival for “Outstanding
Performer.” Church and Williams became close friends over the past few
years, and have played together on several occasions. Most recently they
performed together at the Hank Williams festival in Alabama. The performance
at the Hank Williams Festival in Alabama was met with standing ovation of over
10,000, and was voted the #1 entertainer by the Hank Williams Fan Club. Other
acts included Connie Smith, Marty Stuart, & Leroy Parnell. Several fans from
Ohio attended, including, Sandra Ogle. “It was one of the best performances
I have ever saw in my life and I have been going to concerts all over the US
since I was a young girl back in the 60’s.
Williams is considered to be the only close living relative of Chet Atkins, and
grew up very close to him. He was awarded many of the guitars that Chet
collected through the years. David Church has been defined by many as one of
the fastest rising singer/songwriters, "a clear clean voice that resonates deep
into your heart and soul, an entertainer that you will never forget and keep
you coming back for more." From Hank Williams voice to his Alan Jackson looks
this pure country singer has what it takes. David’s reputation and
performances encompass the globe with songs in the top 10 in Europe. After 4
successful bluegrass albums, Church’s first country project, “Custom
Made” was met with immediate success upon release to the world market. Many
songs on the album have received airplay all over the world "You've Got the
Key" written by Joe Collins, climbed to the #1 position, closely followed by
“I Still Need and Still want You, self- penned by Church. His recent
project, a tribute to his mentor, Hank Williams Sr, titled, “A Legend Froze
In Time;” featured legendary steel guitarist, Don Helms. Helms played for
Hank Williams, as one of his original Drifting Cowboys. He also played for
Loretta Lynn, Ray Price, and numerous celebrities throughout his career. He
recorded and played with Patsy Cline on many of her songs including
“Walkin’ After Midnight.” Helms stated that David, “Is the most
profound and talented artist to come along in years. He has the heart of a
true country singer/songwriter. It is always a pleasure to work with David.”
David features Helms on many of his concerts as well as another legendary
musician, Bob Saxton. Considered to be one of the premier thumb-style pickers,
if not the best in the nation since Chet Atkins, Saxton has performed with
numerous country stars himself such as Patsy Cline, Johnny Horton, Bobbie
Gentry and others. Saxton also performs on many of Church’s shows. Jett
Williams, Hanks daughter, described David, "He sounds more like my Daddy than
anyone I've ever heard, and I've heard them all!" He recently performed at the
Hank Williams Festival in Alabama to a standing ovation of over 10,000, and was
voted the #1 entertainer by the Hank Williams Fan Club. Other acts included
Connie Smith, Marty Stuart, & Leroy Parnell.
Also Featuring Terri Lisa, singer/songwriter from Indiana. "Terri Lisa's voice
has an incredibly broad vocal range with the style of Martina McBride, with a
touch of Karen Carpenter, she will bring you to your feet with her polished
style." Terri Lisa, David’s wife and partner, puts on just as great a show.
They have opened for some of the biggest names in Country and Bluegrass, such
as George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Connie Smith, Jean Shephard and others.
George Pedon from Country Review stated, “David & Lisa are definitely a major
part of these times…this singer/songwriter has it together with songs like,
Blue Side of Town, despite its sad title, is a band free for all with smooth
guitar licks, hot piano, and more…despair never sounded so Good.”
Also performing, one of the up and coming Fiddlers in the nation, Thomas
Jenkens. Jenkins competed in a National Fiddlers competition last year and
finished in the top 10 against numerous seasoned, legendary fiddlers. Davids
performance will be replacing that of EJ Cooper. Cooper will not be able to
perform due to an illness. However, If you love traditional style country,
bluegrass, and Americana roots music, this is definitely a couple you will want
to see again and again. They are currently on Tour throughout the Midwest.
You can check out their website at www.davidchurch.net
Pictures available, contact Karen Shilling at: 740-974-9885
Roger Hightower
and grew up very close to him."
I thought his closest living relative was his daughter, Merle Atkins
Russell. At least she was when she was interviewed by Fingerstyle Guitar
magazine in issue Nr. 53 (the most recent I have).
Roger