Roy Lanham

American guitarist. Born 16 January 1923 in Corbin, Kentucky, USA. Died 14 February 1991 in Camarillo, California, USA. Lanham had an over fity-year career in music. In 1939, Lanham auditioned for Archie Campbell as the country music star was coming through town and performed well enough that after receiving his parent's permission, the 16-year old left town with Campbell's troupe the next day. He moved on to WNOX Radio in Knoxville, Tennesse and became well-versed in jazz standards. Next, Lanham and the Whippoorwills played (and sometimes sang) in every episode of the Smiley Burnette radio show. As a studio musician, Lanham played on the debut recordings of Chet Atkins ("Guitar Blues", 1946) and Loretta Lynn ("I'm a Honky Tonk Girl", 1960) and also played rhythmg on the Fleetwood's 1959 pop hit "Mr. Blue". He played with the Sons of Pioneers for 25 years (1961-1986). Lanham had respect as a great guitarist by other players including Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Barney Kessel and more. Rich Kienzle, journalist and historian, points out Lanham’s unique contribution that set him apart from the other country-jazz guitar giants: "The Lanham style, harmonically richer, combined both single-note passages with luxuriant chord melodies. The vibrant four-part harmonies he created for his chord solos were his own idea, an improvement upon three-part harmonies he heard Western swing guitarist Sheldon Bennett play."