I’m amazed by Chet Atkins ability to tune his guitar by smell alone

Aside from the magnitude of the talent present, my favorite part is watching a young pup Leo grinning like a kid in a candy store the whole time. Moments like these are life long memories and treasures for certain!

How the entire universe did not implode due to the immeasurable amount of greatness presented here, I do not know..

Three of the finest guitar pickers ever to grace this planet. Individually, they are astounding in their musical virtuosity. Together and just havin' fun like this, with no expectations on anyone's part, they were otherworldly. Thank you, gentlemen, for all of the joy you have given us.

Leo and Doc had performed this song together before. I doubt Chet had ever heard it. But he listened to them a bit, then he went to town! Great performance!

He's only 74 i sure hope he as a long bright future. Only one left of that great triad. Thanks to whoever caught this pearl. It definitely brightens my day.

Love the way Leo laid back and let them solo. He showed respect to the two masters.

Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, and Doc Watson jamming to a song written by John Fahey?!?! Everything about it is friggin' PERFECT!!!

That grin from Leo when Chet takes off....

Love playing along on this one😁

This is almost mind blowing it's so good! Two finger pickers and a flat picker. This is what happens when there is no audience around and just a three guys with guitars start to jam. All of a sudden, magic happens.

Chet almost never improvised like this live. We all know he had the ability, but his live and recorded solos were all very well-rehearsed, and polished. This is one of the few recordings of him really going out on a limb with a true bluegrass solo - and he drove it home.

If I walked in and saw these 3 with their guitars out, you couldn't have pried me out of there with a stick of dynamite, I'da been sittin' right there watching and listening until they shut off the lights and locked the doors..... there's no words for the greatness, individually, or combined, that could do this justice....

Time stood still for this. Stand on your head. Unbelievable coincidental arrival of three of the best guitarists of all time. We only have one left among us. God bless them all for what they have given us!

Just ... damn ... the smile on Leo's face never stops ... that is some fine picking there ... three distinct styles ... all mesh together ... the power of music ... and damn fine musicians ...

Listening to Chet Atkins, Leo Kottke, and Doc Watson sitting playing their guitars, was pure excellence on the spot.

this is possibly the best youtube video I have ever seen. These guys are beyond compare. The smile on Kottke's face is priceless. I've never seen Chet play this fast.

When I was in 9th grade (1958 or so) our family moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma. My dad was very musical, so my brother and I were immediately pointed to Mr. Yaden who taught orchestra/band etc in the schools. He handed me a baritone horn and that, or alto horn were my faves! But I was encouraged to keep up with my violin/viola as well. My brother took clarinet from Mr. Y. Mom and Dad played bridge with Leo's parents. Up on the risers and playing some old dented silver-colored baritone horn, Leo on some kind of horn (baritone? alto?) sat next to me (I think we were reading off the same music stand). I believe our parents were in the same community bridge group. Those were magic times until we moved to Cincinnati in about 1960/1. Years later, we heard Leo's name - sort of whispered in reverence - and we all said "there can't be two Leo Kottke's in this world!" Maybe 20 or 30 years later, we heard that Leo was playing at the Varsity in Atlanta, so Dan and I got tickets and lodging for the night. When we were checking in at the hotel, there was Leo at the desk: his luggage was lost! We all mingled around and came up with a solution: Dan lent Leo his sports coat for the evening. So all went well and had a great time at the concert. Luckily, the jacket was an OK fit and he returned it to our hotel manager when we all get back after the event. Funny old memories....

Love Leo! Looks like a kid on Christmas morning.

If this doesn't put a smile on your face, then nothing can. It's amazing how even though the guitars are in perfect harmony, you can easily hear the difference in the very distinct styles of Doc and Chet. Even to this day, i'm blown away by how effortless and precise Chet Atkins is with his playing.

Holy moly. What a treasure. This clip alone justifies KZfaq.

Very very proud that my Dad and Mom were good friends of Doc and Rosalee, and Willard Docs cousin, and with Gaither Carlton too, I grew up in Nashville after my English father settled there, having gone to the states to pursue his music interests in the early 60s, I have a slide somewhere of Dad firing a long gun that the Watsons had him shoot up on top of one of the hills in Deep Gap N.C. and we have pictures of me being held and passed around as a baby, Leo has always been a fave and I have long admired Chets ability if not his Nashville 'Sound', it was lovely to find this, with two of my very favourite musicians on it...

Chet Atkins built his career on the Travis Style, but here demonstrates he was no slouch as a jazz player either. Incredible, historical piece of video. Kottke stayed in his lane and deferred to the greats. Classy guy.

Didn't tear up, but couldn't help from grinning uncontrollably. Going to get that DVD too, thanks for the tip. I have loved Doc forever without a pause, since I met and heard him play in North Carolina in 1966. Later found and idolized Leo, but he dropped out of my consciousness for some reason, after I morphed out of Hippie culture. Thought Chet was too 'easy listening' for me, but now, of course, I see my error. Grateful for the gift of seeing this 'chance' jam session, thank you, whoever

Doc at the end of this: "It's not too complicated, but you can find some gooooood country runnin' in that thing". Love it!

How could a collaboration of three masters be anything but fantastic?

3 major guitar legends - thankfully Kottke is still with us

When I need a smile...I come here.

The tune's got some Deep River Blues in it too.

These three legendary guitarists sound so amazing together ! I am looking forward to seeing Leo Kottke's performance in Nashville, Indiana on April 29, 2022 !

An amazing impromptu performance from three masters of folk guitar.

Another reason to like Kottke: his humility. Great post!

wish i'd have been ther. 3 generations of greatness, hotel, no audience , good as it gets

Atkins can tune WHILE jamming...the greats are great for reasons we mortals seldom notice.

That's me (Josh Alan) in the striped shirt. Gathered in Nashville, 1988, for an American Airlines Mag. cover story called "Stars and Their Guitars."

That there's a lot of guitar chops in one room - young Leo Kottke looks like a kid in a candy store, and why wouldn't he? Freakin' Doc Watson and Chet Atkins!

Three guitar pickers grab chairs, sit down and just play together. Wonderful! Glad someone had the where-withal to record it. Makes me happy!

Pretty cool... a flat pick, a thumb pick, and fingerstyle producing genius together. All amazing musicians.

off the cuff music often is the best - raw & awsome

This why I love KZfaq

Talking about who's the world's greatest guitar player is like trying to decide how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. But surely, here are three of them.Thanks for all the grins, Doc. The music in heaven just got better.

I ran Sound for Leo Kottke at the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride in 1998. His guitar prowess is amazing, but the most memorable part of the Show was his banter in between the Music. He is an Incredibly entertaining Humorous Story Teller. I found myself thinking, "Ok, I have this on record at home, I can hear it there, Talk some more!". If you've never seen his whole show, look one up. You will be glad you did.

What can you say but go man go! Leo is insane, Chet is great, and Doc is amazing.

I still have "Doc and Merle, Live and Pickin'" on the shelf. Probably the greatest live capture of Doc and Merle before Merle passed away. Now that Doc has gone to heaven, they are together again playing the greatest bluegrass songs ever written. Doc truly was a "Tennessee Stud", even though he was from South Carolina. God bless Doc and Merle Watson. We will forever miss you guys.

Shredders got absolutely nothing on this. Doc and Chet dropping jaws. Kottke does almost his whole solo in first position, and it’s f%$#king incredible. Chef's kiss.

Thank you to these 3 extremely talented people. They have brightened my life (and many others') in ways and times when nothing else could do it.

Chet's solo... So beautiful.

Simply amazing to watch three masters of the guitar sitting and playing together. Chet Atkins is focused and I could listen to him play all day long.

Leo and Doc had played this together on The Prairie Home Companion. I doubt Chet ever heard the song before, but look at him listen for a bit - then just go to town on his solo!

What a treat! Three legends in one room! Best bluegrass guitar jam I've seen in quite a while! :)

smokin! I only saw doc perform live once, at the Winfield (ks.) bluegrass festival in the late '60's he was in fine fettle, and blew away the youngsters who thought they were gonna outpick the "old guy" they learned that NOBODY could outpick Arthel watson!

imagine walking into the lobby of the hotel or wherever this was and seeing these three just playing for fun. Son of a gun

Doc,Atkins &Kottke - A#1 GREAT!

This is absolute MAGIC!

virtuoso music and musicianship very often bring me to tears. I teared up about 3/4 through this. My God - I would just love to be able to play half that good!

So soulful, Mark. RIP Adam Schlesinger

Saw Leo in the seventies at the Milo Bail student center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I didn't know who he was. He had a chair and a guitar and room full of hypnotized guitar lovers. He didn't look like he shaved yet. Been a Leo Kottke fan ever since.

That smile on Leo Kotke's face at 2:25, I'd like to have a smile like that just once in my life. This is a treasure. Thanks so much for sharing it.

The guitar talent here...holy crap. The musical taste and talent, the legendary status across three generations. Pure lovely.

"You can find some gooooood country runs in that thing, I mean them *hillbilly* runs." High praise from Doc!!

I've spoken to Leo on two occasions. He has real humility, is gracious and funnier than the two funniest people I know. He is a national treasure!

Brings tears to my eyes. RIP Chet

Oh, that was just lovely.

astoniishing which is exactly what I would expect from 3 of the best brilliant

Watching this after noticing Leo will be performing in Minneapolis, I really like his style, especially when he incorporates slide. I still have his 1972 album "Greenhouse"

Miss you, Doc. Love that commentary there at the end.

It's like the Mount Rushmore of great American fingerpickers! Fabulous video!

Leo was grinning shoulder to shoulder of his idols

Awesome and Chet one of my all time favorites along with Les Paul... Railroading... Well, Rode that high iron for 42 years running those trains for the "Big UP"! Loved railroading!...

Leo can hardly contain himself, watching Chet doing a bit of fancy picking at about 2 1/2 minutes. Wish I'd been a fly on the wall during THAT little session....thanks for uploading this treasure.

Leo Kottke, living the dream....and he's good enough to deserve it

Amazing trio of legends....I just love kottke's music.

I saw Doc, Merle, and Leo in concert at McCormick Place in Chicago circa 1972. Great show.

Well played, of course. I’ve watched this several times before and this time I finally noticed how well it was filmed: the setting, lighting and the great shots of your fingering of the banjo…

I must always smile when I see Leo Kottke's farm boy grin.

Pure, pure joy. A collector's item. Thanks.

Thank you for reminding me how incredible these guys have been.

Well... southerly sound's soothin' souls... Much obliged.

Yep, pure class! All now teaching the angels how to pluck and God is looking on in amazement, tapping the beat and smiling like all the rest of us.

thank you 💕 🤠... totally awesome... Leo... looking good... Chet... waiting to blow our minds... and Doc shizaaaaam

their modesty and respect for each other is fuckin' grand ! Leo Wijnkamp

what is so cool is that no one is trying to outplay the other AWESOME

What an absolute ball they were having! Leo doesn't smile all that much!

Leo is just happy to be there! Doc and Chet are just themselves!

Fare Thee well dear Doc. And on a lighter note, I have seen Leo Kottke play many times over the years, but never have I seen him grinnin like this. What a great video. thanks so much for posting this.

God bless john fahey, leo kottke, doc watson and chet atkins

the grin on Kottke's face is the internet content I'm here for

These guys have got some chops...

Kottke tells a funny story about this meeting. Doc asked him where he learned it, and Kottke explained that he learned it from John Fahey, but Fahey claimed it was a Sam McGee tune. Chet replied that he knew Sam McGee, and Sam never played anything like it. So now Kottke introduces it as "my own original number".

All three are awesome, but I'll place my bet on Doc Watson. He always stayed true to the music. I miss you Doc!!!!

I saw Leo live about an hour ago and he said that this came together because an airline wanted him to be the “coverboy” for the airline. He went and they told him to bring his favorite guitar , he said “they didn’t know they had broken my favorite guitar on my way here”. Once he got there he found out there were two other “chumps”, on arrival he found out it was Chet and Doc 😂, figured some may find that interesting.

Can't get better than this. Thanks.

Three of the best!

Smoothest join in move at Emaj 0:07 by Chet. What a sight ❤️

Leo's just grinnin' like a kid with a popsicle on a hot day.

That Leo kid has a bright future ahead of him Doc...

I grew up listening to and loving the music of Chet and Doc. Leo's of my generation and not just a bridge back to, but an amazing continuation of guitar greatness. Who was it that said an acoustic is the real measure of a guitarist - it's just the player and the strings; no tech to hide the mistakes or the majesty. A final thought, Chopin is quoted as saying, "Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, save perhaps two." If he had heard this, he might have modified his comment. Thanks for posting.

AND now we have Billy Strings, Keller Williams, Molly Tuttle, Tommy Emmauel, Bryan Sutton too. The torch has been passed. It's ALL better than ever!

E , A & B7...couldn't be simpler ! Anyone can do but won't get the feel. These masters make it magic ! The best evidence that the left hand make the notes but the right hand makes the MUSIC.

I don't know how Nashville works today, but back in the day, you could go almost any place connected to music, like a record store or guitar repair, and find guitar pickers playing like this just to enjoy playing together.