Tommy Emmanuel

A household name in his native Australia, Tommy Emmanuel's career spans three decades and continues to intersect with some of the finest musicians in the world. Emmanuel's music and life are legendary. He began playing guitar at age 4, learning to play by ear without any formal instruction. Tommy and his brother Phil were child prodigies, starting their profesional career in the 1960s when Phil was just 7 and Tommy a mere 4 years old. Emmanuel is not only a very accomplished guitarist, but also plays drums and sings. Jazz legend Chet Atkins was one of the first people who inspired Emmanuel to pick up a guitar. Decades later, Atkins himself became one of Tommy's biggest fans, and is responsible for declaring Emmanuel a "Certified Guitar Player" - an honor shared by only two other people in the world (Jerry Reed and John Knowles). The consummate musician, Emmanuel was voted Rolling Stone (Australia) Magazine's "Most Popular Guitarist" for two consecutive years and has earned four Platinum and three Gold albums. With 13 albums in his collection, Emmanuel's boundless talent and indomitable skill consistently impress music critics and fans alike. His dazzling performances, flawless guitar skills and voluminous repertoire never fail to amaze audiences wherever he goes.