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Tommy EmmanuelAustralian guitar virtuoso
Date of Birth: 31.05.1955
Country:  Australia |
Content:
Biography of Tommy Emmanuel
Australian guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel has gained international recognition for his unique fingerstyle guitar technique and incredible improvisational skills. Interestingly, Tommy did not receive any formal musical education and has no knowledge of music theory. However, despite this, he is one of the most influential guitarists in the contemporary scene. He has been nominated twice for a Grammy Award, received awards from Guitar Player Magazine in 2008 and 2010, and became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2010.
Early Life
Tommy Emmanuel was born on May 31, 1955, in Muswellbrook, New South Wales, Australia. At the age of 4 in 1959, he received his first guitar and learned the basics of playing from his mother, who played multiple instruments and had knowledge of music theory. Tommy himself never received formal education, so to this day, he cannot read sheet music or play from it. Interestingly, he considers his musical illiteracy as an integral part of his success, as most of his compositions were played by ear. By the beginning of his solo career, he could easily play any ideas that came to his mind.
Inspiration and Early Career
At the age of 7, Tommy heard a concert by Chet Atkins, which became a turning point in his musical career. He heard freedom in Atkins' music, as opposed to the contrived nature of music that he had previously encountered. Tommy was so inspired by Atkins' music that he wrote him a letter, to which the musician personally responded, inviting the young fan to record together. Little did they know that in 1997, they would release their first collaborative work, which would be Grammy-nominated, and in 1999, Tommy would receive the "Certified Guitar Player" award from Atkins himself.
Around the same time, Tommy and his brother Phil gained support from their father, who sold their house and decided to showcase his talented sons to the world. Traveling in two trailers, the family and their band, "The Emmanuel Quartet," toured all over Australia, performing in big cities and small communities where they were often the only entertainment available. Tommy admits that this life was tough, as his father struggled to organize concerts, often settling for small shows in stores and parks. However, the family was happy, and although they were not wealthy, they never went hungry.
Musical Journey and Solo Career
Their life on the road came to an end when the New South Wales Department of Education advised their father to enroll the children in school and settle in one place, at least until they finished school. As one can imagine, Tommy, who was accustomed to performing, did not particularly enjoy school and his peers. As a teenager, he started playing in local clubs and gained significant popularity in Sydney. In the late 1970s, he played with "The Southern Star Band" and later joined "Dragon."
Tommy Emmanuel gained recognition as a skilled musician and guitarist, performing alongside some of the biggest stars during their concerts in Australia. He shared the stage with Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, George Martin, John Denver, and Les Paul. In the 1980s, he embarked on his solo career, which almost immediately established him as one of the most renowned virtuoso guitarists. His first recording, "From Out of Nowhere," was released in 1979, and his most recent album, "The Colonel and The Governor," was released in 2013. Overall, Tommy has released around 25 studio albums that have been distributed worldwide.
Throughout his career, Tommy Emmanuel has given countless concerts and has had the privilege of performing with the most legendary musicians of the 20th century. To this day, he continues to work on new recordings and perform live. According to critics, he is the best acoustic guitar player of our time and is considered a legend in the history of guitarists. In 2010, his contribution to the world of music was recognized with one of Australia's highest honors, the Order of Australia.
