TRAVIS, MERLE
(1917–1983)
TRAVIS, MERLE (b. Rosewood, Ky., November 29, 1917; d. Nashville, Tenn., October 20, 1983) One of the most innovative and influential country guitarists, Travis was also a fine songwriter whose works have the lasting quality of mountain ballads with more than a nod to the sounds of the HONKY-TONK. Travis's father, a BANJO player, taught him to play the instrument in a two-finger picked style that was common in the upper South in the 1920s and 1930s. When the youngster switched to the GUITAR, he…