Originally Posted by: EricGibson65I'll call this Chord Melody approach (altho I'm not sure if it has a name).[/quote]
Yes, sir! That's what it's called. :)
[QUOTE=EricGibson65]
Does anyone know of any lesson here on Chord Melody anywhere else (book, dvd, etc) which explores this concept in depth? thanks much!

Absolutely. Right this way!

These tutorials are aimed at learning the basics of chord melody.

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=149
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=268
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=708

And these tutorials show you some tunes using a chord melody approach.

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=644
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=759
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=882
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1232

I've no idea how much skill or knowledge you have & this is a pretty advanced topic. So, just for the sake of completeness, here are more fundamental jazz tutorials to give you a basis for the ideas you'll need to use in chord melody playing.

Intro To Jazz

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1697
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1757

Jazz Chords

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1166
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1185
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1195

Hope this helps! Ask more if necessary & have fun! :)