Page "Chet Atkins" Paragraph 29

In the 1970s, Atkins became increasingly stressed by his executive duties.

He produced fewer records but could still turn out hits such as Perry Como's pop hit " And I Love You So ".

He recorded extensively with close friend and fellow picker Jerry Reed, who'd become a hit artist in his own right.

A 1973 diagnosis of colon cancer, however, led Atkins to redefine his role at RCA, to allow others to handle administration while he went back to his first love, the guitar, often recording with Reed or even Homer & Jethro's Jethro Burns ( Atkins's brother-in-law ) after Homer died in 1971.