All In The Family: The Guitar Pickin’ Poole Family

Three Generations attend the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention.

There’s an old guitar adage that says something like, “A family that picks guitar and prays together, stays together.” That is certainly true for the Poole family of Orlando, Florida.

I was viewing photos posted of the 2025 Chet Atkins Appreciation Society (CAAS) annual convention in Nashville and one stood out. It showed three generations of a family–all smiling and with guitars in hand–standing under a banner that read: “Chet Atkins, C.G.P.: Honoring the Music. Celebrating the Legacy.”

Three generations of the Poole Family at CAAS (L to R) Beau, Jack, Mark, and Randy “Papa” Poole.

The photo shows Mark Poole, his oldest son Jack (13), youngest son Beau (10), and Mark’s father, Randy “Papa” Poole. It was the first time that Mark and his sons had attended CAAS. He heard about it from his dad, who had attended his first CAAS the year before. Randy found out about CAAS when attending four of Tommy Emmanuel’s Guitar Camps.

When asked what started his love of the guitar, Randy shares, “I became interested in the guitar when I was 12 years old. I had broken my leg in an accident and couldn’t play sports for six weeks. So, I bought my first acoustic guitar for $25 and tried to teach myself how to play. I didn’t come from a musical family, so I learned how to play from my friends. Growing up, I was inspired by Simon and Garfunkel, the Beatles, Chet Atkins, and others.”

Randy was never in a band but grew up playing his acoustic guitar for the youth group at his church and later in a Christian group at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. While playing his guitar in college, Randy met his future wife, Linda. “Five years after we met, we got married,” says Randy. “She put me through medical school while completing her graduate school training in nursing. On June 6 of this year, we will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Linda has always been my inspiration and encouragement throughout my life as a husband, father, grandfather, physician, and musician. She is an amazing lady. When I retired after 37 years as an emergency physician, she even bought me a very nice guitar as a retirement gift. She’s a keeper for sure.”

Mark is one of Randy and Linda’s four sons and remembers his dad always playing his classical guitar around the house when he was growing up. Randy’s playing inspired several of his sons to start playing guitar as teenagers, including Mark. “Between Dad and me and my three brothers, there was always lots of music in our house growing up,” says Mark. “We listened to a wide range of music–from Christian worship music to rock. I personally liked more acoustic music and loved listening to Jack Johnson and the band O.A.R. when I was a teenager.”

Like his dad, Mark’s love of the guitar has rubbed off on his two sons. “My youngest son, Beau, started showing interest in playing guitar when he was eight years old,” Mark says. “And my oldest son, Jack, is mainly a drummer, but also likes to play some guitar and has a growing interest in it.”

When asked about attending his first CAAS convention, Mark shared, “It was great. It was really fun to be around so many guitar lovers and people who love the music of Chet Atkins. It was such a friendly and encouraging atmosphere there. Someone even invited my youngest son, Beau, to sign up and play onstage with the Young Thumbs. He was brave and played onstage for the first time ever. That was quite a moment for a 10-year-old.”

Ten-year-old Beau Poole performing onstage at the 2025 CAAS convention

Gretsch guitar display at a previous CAAS Convention. Photo by Ron Denny.

Mark admits that he and his sons didn’t know a lot about Chet Atkins and his music before attending CAAS, but they are fans now. “Since my first CAAS, I’ve listened to more of Chet’s music as well as other fingerstyle and thumbpicking artists,” shares Mark. Discovering Chet has also piqued his interest in Gretsch guitars. “The display Gretsch had at CAAS was impressive and helped me learn a lot about their guitars,” says Mark. “We aren’t currently owners of Gretsch products, but hope to be one day.”

Regarding the Pickin’ Poole family’s biggest guitar influence, the choice is clear. It’s Tommy Emmanuel. “Our family are big fans of Tommy and have seen him perform several times. He’s my dad’s guitar hero and it’s amazing to hear Tommy talk about Chet Atkins and other guitarists who are Tommy’s heroes.”

Tommy Emmanuel. DJA Photography.

It’s obvious talking with Randy and Mark Poole, that Tommy Emmanuel has been a big influence (Randy and Mark even play Maton Tommy Emmanuel signature guitars.) Tommy’s efforts to continue Chet Atkins’ music legacy, inspire and teach guitarists of all ages, and tell people about the annual July CAAS convention continue to bear fruit.

Thanks, Tommy.

The Poole family at CAAS with their guitar hero, Tommy Emmanuel.
(L to R) Linda, Randy, Mark, Tommy (seated), Jack, Beau.

By guest columnist Ron Denny.

Learn more about the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society and the upcoming CAAS Convention happening July 8 to 11, 2026!