Wariner to join Thumbpickers Hall of Fame

"I've been a thumbpicker since my dad taught me when I was young," said Wariner. "In my later years I was lucky enough to play with Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Paul Yandell. Receiving this honor is because of them. It's an incredible honor for me to join the esteemed ranks of the Thumbpickers Hall of Fame."

Other inductees this year include Richard Smith and Chip Young.

Members of the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame include Atkins, Reed, Yandell, Doc Watson, Grandpa Jones, Merle Travis, John Hartford and Joe Maphis.

Muhlenberg County is considered the birthplace of thumbpicking, also called fingerpicking, a style of guitar playing in which the thumb maintains a steady rhythm by alternating bass patterns on the lower three strings, while the other fingers play melody and fill-in notes on the high strings.