Atkins, Bobby (and the Countrymen)

BOBBY ATKINS (AND THE COUNTRYMEN)

  • From Summerfield, North Carolina
  • Plays banjo and leads band, “The Countrymen”
  • 1953, worked and recorded with Jim Eanes
  • 1953, 1958, 1961, worked with Bill Monroe (3 separate stints).
  • 1956, worked with Charlie Monroe
  • Tony Rice was a member of Atkins’ band the Countrymen when he was 18 years old.
  • 1972, appeared in the movie “Preacher Man.”
  • Bobby is related to country legend Chet Atkins. (His grandfather and Chet’s grandfather are brothers).
  • He performed for many years with his son Mark as “Bobby and Mark Atkins and the Countrymen.”
  • 2022, he died at the age of 88.