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In 1953, while living in Knoxville, Tennessee, Don and Phil Everly broke away from their Everly Family band, forming their duo and caught the attention of family friend Chet Atkins, who had recently been appointed manager of RCA Victor's recording studio in Nashville. As the brothers transitioned out of the family act and into a duo, they moved to Nashville and Atkins became an early champion of the Everly Brothers. Despite his affiliation with RCA Records, it was Atkins who arranged a chance for the Everly Brothers to record for Columbia Records in early 1956. However, their first and only single for Columbia, "Keep A' Lovin' Me," which Don wrote, was a flop, and they were quickly dropped from the label.

Atkins encouraged the Everly Brothers to continue, and introduced them to Wesley Rose of Acuff-Rose music publishers. Impressed with the duo's songwriting talents, Rose told them that if they signed to Acuff-Rose as songwriters, he would also get them a recording deal. The duo signed to Acuff-Rose in late 1956, and by early 1957, Rose had introduced them to Archie Bleyer, who was looking for artists for his Cadence label. The Everlys signed, and entered the recording studio for their first Cadence session in February 1957.

Their first Cadence single, "Bye Bye Love," had been rejected by 30 other acts but the Everlys saw it's potential and their recording of "Bye Bye Love" reached #2 on the pop charts behind Elvis Presley's "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear". "Bye Bye Love" hit #1 on the Country chart and #5 on the R&B charts. The song, written by the husband and wife team Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, became the Everly Brothers' first million-seller.

They became stalwarts of the Cadence label. Working with the Bryants, the duo had hits in the United States and the United Kingdom, the biggest being "Wake Up Little Susie", "All I Have to Do Is Dream", "Bird Dog", and "Problems", all penned by the Bryants.

While contractually restricted from actually working with the Everlys, Atkins continued to mentor them and upon hearing the acoustic demo of "Bird Dog" suggested they add bass, drums and a subtle electric guitar to "Rockabilly it up a bit". Whether Atkins actually suggested Glen Campbell for the session is unknown, but several sources contend that Chet was well aware of the young virtuoso and did all he could to further his career.

Having known Mr. Atkins myself, I can say that he always cared more about good music than any business arrangements and the story is in line with dozens of similar stories. Chet was an advocate for young artists and probably discovered more talent than any other force in Nashville. When I knew him during the mid-eighties he was doing much the same for his unknown young protégé Steve Wariner. Steve credited Chet for introducing him to Glen and they worked together on several projects so I find this story another likely scenario in Glen's expansive portfolio.

Bird Dog
~ The Everly Brothers ~