William Thomas "Tommy" Emmanuel AM (born 31 May 1955) is an Australian virtuoso guitarist and occasional singer, and songwriter best known for his complex fingerstyle technique, energetic performances and the use of percussive effects on the guitar. Although originally a session player in many a band, in recent years, Emmanuel has 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 as "Best Acoustic Guitarist" in their readers' poll. In June 2010 Emmanuel was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
[on his performances] Everything is by ear. When I was a teenager learning solos from Merle Haggard records or trying to figure out Django Reinhardt I realized that I could hum and visualize improvising. It clicked when someone told me to play what I could sing or hum and try to do it spontaneously
2
[on most of his shows being solo performances] I realized I could probably make that work overseas because I couldn't afford to fly ten people around. So I've done a lot of that since I first started playing North America in the 1980s. Now I'm looking at playing more in South Africa, East Asia and South America.
3
I like all kinds of music as long as it's got soul and it's telling people something. But the greatest thrill is playing your own songs.
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Fact
1
Given the "CGP" (Certified Guitar Player) Award by Chet Atkins in July 1999. Only four guitarists received this honor from Chet.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Marty Stuart Show
2013
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Tommy Emmanuel: Center Stage
2008
TV Movie arranger: "House Of The Risin' Sun" traditional, "Amazing Grace" traditional / performer: "The Finger Lakes", "Papa George", "Train To Dusseldorf", "I Go To Rio", "Nine Pound Hammer", "Old Town", "And So It Goes", "The Jolly Swagman", "Sukiyaki", "Happy Hours", "Ruby's Eyes", "Here Comes The Sun", "When I'm 64", "Lady Madonna", "Day Tripper", "Mombasa", "Workin' Man Blues", "Georgia On My Mind", "House Of The Risin' Sun" traditional, "Amazing Grace" traditional, "Tall Fiddler", "Cowboy'
American Masters
2007
TV Series documentary 1 episode
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Tommy Emmanuel: Center Stage
2008
TV Movie
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Delinquents
1989
musician: solo guitar
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Music Gone Public
2014
TV Series
Himself
The Marty Stuart Show
2013
TV Series
Himself - Special Guest
Frank Vignola's Four Generations of Guitar
2013
TV Movie
Himself
My First Guitar
2011
Documentary
Himself
Steve White: Painting the World With Music
2011
Documentary
Singer songwriter musician
Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon
2011
TV Series
Himself
Tommy Emmanuel C.G.P.
2010
TV Movie
Himself
Tommy Emmanuel: Center Stage
2008
TV Movie
Himself - Acoustic Guitar and Vocals
Na plovárne
2007
TV Series
Himself
Sierra Center Stage
2004-2006
TV Series
Himself - Acoustic Guitar & Vocals
Mornings with Kerri-Anne
2003
TV Series
Himself
Barend en Van Dorp
2002
TV Series
Himself - Guitar Player
Sydney 2000 Olympics: Bud Greenspan's Gold from Down Under
2001
TV Movie
Himself - Performer
Mountain Stage
2001
TV Series
Himself - Musician
Heartbreak High
1999
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour
2006
TV Series
Himself
Known for movies
Tommy Emmanuel: Center Stage (2008) as Composer
Sydney 2000 Olympics: Bud Greenspan's Gold from Down Under (2001) as Himself - Performer
My First Guitar (2011) as Himself
Frank Vignola's Four Generations of Guitar (2013) as Himself
$8 Million