Merle Travis--note the license plate.

Merle Travis, from a performance in 1979.

Merle Travis, another photo from that '79 performance. It was a thrill to see him in person.

This photo was taken in Cincinnati, when Merle was about 20 years old.

Ike Everly, Merle Travis, and Mose Rager. This photo was taken in June 1956.

Chet Atkins, Mose Rager, and Merle Travis. What a wonderful photograph. It's like looking at three generations of thumbpickers.

Arnold Schultz, pictured with unknown fiddler.

Schultz was like a Johnny Appleseed of music. Kennedy Jones learned a lot of chords from him. Bill Monroe used to play with Schultz.

Mose Rager and Paul Jarvis. This photo was taken in the mid 70s.

Me and John Travis, at the 1986 workshop in Mountain View, Arkansas.

Odell Martin, me, and a very young Alonzo. Odell was a great picker and I admired him very much.

My father Norman, Roy Acuff, and me. When Roy Acuff died, a bit of the Opry died, too.

Me, Bill Carlisle, and Dad

Me, Grandpa Jones, and Dad. Grandpa Jones was everybody's grandpa. He is greatly missed.

Chet Atkins, 1988 photo by Samlee Sanders. When Chet was 15, he heard Merle Travis for the first time, back when Merle played for WLW in Cincinnati.

Chet Atkins, 1988 photo by Samlee Sanders. Chet said about Merle's playing, "I thought his sound was fantastic."

Me and Bill Monroe. It was an honor to pick with the father of bluegrass.

Me and Bill Monroe

Me, John Hartford, and Dave Stewart

This photo was taken in Drakesboro. John was a multi-talented performer and songwriter. He left us too soon.

Me and Marcel Dadi

Marcel is greatly missed by all his pickin' friends.

Tommy Owens, Dave Stewart, Marcel Dadi, and me

Marcel died when TWA flight 800 crashed into the ocean several years ago. He is missed by all.