Here’s Tommy Emmanuel’s Wik-Wik-Wiki:
William Thomas Emmanuel AM (born 31 May 1955) is an Australian guitarist who is known for his complex fingerstyle technique, energetic performances and the use of percussive effects on the guitar. Originally a session player in many bands, Emmanuel carved out his own style as a solo artist, releasing award-winning albums and singles. In the May 2008 and 2010 issues of Guitar Player magazine, he was named “Best Acoustic Guitarist” in its readers’ poll. In June 2010 Emmanuel was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). In 2011, Emmanuel was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown.
Here’s what I find interesting about Tommy. His life. He is no doubt an acoustic guitar virtuoso. Percussive style and fast on the fret board. His style of music is what I’d describe as a “Nathan Concert.” Let me explain. Nathan Rowland was and is still and always probably will be a very dear friend. He was my B-Town concert bro. My D-town concert bro was my actual Bro, The Salty One, Ben Swinney. So in Boise we would kinda trade off going to Nathan-concerts, then to Marc-concerts. First we would do Nathan-concerts. It would be somebody like Tommy Emmanuel. Great guitarist, one man on the stage, playing the holy living shit out of an acoustic guitar… probably not too many words or singing. But for me that type of artist rarely brings the rage. I need a little bit of rage or at least something you can pogo too. That’s just me, who I am. I can do mellow concerts and appreciate them but… it ain’t my live music jam. I dragged Nate-D-O-Double-Gee to two, count ‘em TWO Pixies concerts. TWO… this is how much this guy is a friend… he suffered through the greatness of the best slow-fast-slow wheels off band. And Nate no doubt was wondering why I was screaming all the words and jumping up and down. It happened.
So Tommy started in at age 4. Paid musician at age 6. The original acoustic guitar Mozart. That would make the likes of Phil Keaggy or hmmm… Tommy Shaw, Joe Walsh, or hmmm… maybe Hendrix Moliere. Sounds about right? Everyone agree here??? No doubt Tommy is the best thing since sliced bread to hit the acoustic guitar. Chet Atkins a lesser guitarist?? He certainly influenced Tommy. Has Emmanuel surpassed his guitar God here Chet?? Time will tell.
Here’s some more pics…
T.E. A good thing.
ZandMe's 999 Good Things 