"Chet loved artists. He did. But he was caught up in the system. He had two hats. He had to have 'em because he did two things: he was an artist, and he was an executive"

The quote from Waylon Jennings records the duality and complexity of Chet Atkins' life and profession. Chet Atkins was a prominent figure in the music market, understood both for his artistry as a legendary guitar player and for his executive role in the music organization. The images of "two hats" is a metaphor that succinctly highlights Atkins' dual responsibilities and identities.

Firstly, as an artist, Atkins was deeply enthusiastic about music and appreciated creativity. His love for artists shows an individual connection and a shared understanding of the challenges and joys of creating music. This element of his identity is driven by a desire for creative expression and development. Atkins, through his music, constantly pressed limits and affected countless artists. His function as an artist required a hat that grew on imagination, emotion, and an individual connection to the music he created and carried out.

On the other hand, his role as an executive needed a various set of skills and qualities. Being "captured up in the system" suggests the constraints and duties that come with supervisory and company functions in the music market. The executive hat required Atkins to navigate complex industry characteristics, make decisions that stabilized creative stability with industrial practicality, and potentially make hard choices that affected other artists' professions.

The phrase "he had to have 'em" shows requirement rather than simple choice, recommending that Atkins' success and influence were contingent on his capability to seamlessly shift in between and manage these 2 functions. This dual presence reflects a more comprehensive story within the music market about the difficulties artists face when dealing with commercial interests along with individual artistic pursuits.

Jennings' quote hence provides a nuanced image of Atkins. It acknowledges his deep respect and affection for artistry, while likewise recognizing the practical realities and compromises that include operating within the music market's organization structure.