American bluegrass banjo player. Born May 22, 1933 in High Shoals, NC, USA. Died March 27, 2022 in Reidsville, NC.
From Summerfield, North Carolina. America's Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame (2005)
• Played banjo and lead band, The Countrymen
• 1953, worked with Jim Eanes
• 1953, 1958, 1961, worked with Bill Monroe (3 separate stints).
• 1956, worked with Charlie Monroe
• Tony Rice was in Atkins' band the Countrymen when he was 18 years old.
• 1972, appeared in the movie Preacher Man.
• Is related to country legend Chet Atkins. (His grandfather and Chet's grandfather are brothers).
• Performed with his son Mark as Bobby and Mark Atkins and the Countrymen.