More sad news...this from AP

Guitarist Chet Atkins Dies at 77

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Chet Atkins, whose guitar style influenced a generation of rock musicians even as he helped develop an easygoing country style to compete with it, died today. He was 77. Atkins died at home, a funeral director said. Atkins had battled cancer for several years. He underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor in June 1997, and had a bout with colon cancer in the 1970s.