Merle Travis

American country and western singer, songwriter, musician, cartoonist, cinema actor, composer and guitarist, born 29 November 1917 in Rosewood, Kentucky and died 20 October 1983 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Merle was the originator of the "Travis Style" guitar pickin'. a method similar to piano stride. This style was further developed by other guitarists, most famously [a=Chet Atkins].
(BMI IPI #: 30988962)