Steve Wariner

Muhlenberg County KY. — Grammy^®-winning guitarist, recording artist and songwriter Steve Wariner will receive another accolade when he is inducted into the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame during the organization’s 12th annual induction ceremony. The induction will take place on Friday, September 25, at the Merle Travis Music Center in Powderly, Kentucky. In addition, Wariner’s current homage to Chet Atkins, Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins, has been named Thumbpicking Recording of the Year.

“I’ve been a thumbpicker since my dad taught me when I was young,” said Wariner. “In my later years I was lucky enough to play with Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Paul Yandell. Receiving this honor is because of them. It’s an incredible honor for me to join the esteemed ranks of the Thumbpickers Hall of Fame.”

Other inductees this year include Richard Smith and Chip Young.

“Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins” is Thumbpicking Recording of the Year

Members of the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame include Wariner’s friend and mentor Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Jerry Reed, Paul Yandell, Doc Watson, Grandpa Jones, John Knowles, John Hartford and Joe Maphis, among others.

Muhlenberg County is considered the birthplace of thumbpicking, also called fingerpicking, a style of guitar playing in which the thumb maintains a steady rhythm by alternating bass patterns on the lower three strings, while the other fingers play melody and fill-in notes on the high strings.