Keeping the fire burning

Tommy Emmanuel is a guitarist extraordinaire who wows audiences with his unique playing-style which uses all 10 fingers to pick at the guitar strings. Twice nominated for a Grammy Award for The Day the Finger Pickers Took Over the World (a collaboration with the legendary Chet Atkins) and the song “Gameshow Rag/Cannonball Rag” from his album, The Mystery, Tommy is also a singer, drummer, record producer and music arranger. We caught up with him during his European tour.

We’ve seen your busy tour schedule. What keeps you perpetually on the road?
I enjoy playing every night, and I really like to meet people from all around the world. It really makes a difference to people’s lives when they hear music and it keeps me energised too.

After two decades solo in the business, what still surprises you?
The new people who come out to see me perform! It’s always a big thrill to play for new audiences.

Tell us about a particularly moving moment in your career.
Just last night here in Nashville, a man who is currently in the hospital ill with cancer came to the show. He got out of his sick bed and wore a surgical mask for protection just to come and see the show… that really moved me.

There are less than a handful of CGPs (Certified Guitar Players) around – professionally, what does it mean to be one?
I don’t know what it means professionally, but personally it’s a great honour given to me by Chet Atkins. I think Chet saw in me someone he could trust to get good music out to many people in this world.

Tell us about the special bond you had with Atkins.
He was more than a mentor and inspiration to me - he was a great friend and like a father. I still think of things he told me, and he gave me something of a quality level to aim for - in the choice of material, melodies, arrangements, and he showed us all a way of making solo guitar really interesting.

Tell us more about “TommyFest” and how it has continued to evolve.
We do our TommyFests all over the world now, and they’re usually four nights of concerts with workshops held during the day. I love the challenge of making every night different.

Is the guitar fraternity one big happy family?
The guitar fraternity is, in general, one big, happy family, but I don’t stop to listen to criticism or pay attention to the “who’s best” mentality. I just try to help as many people along the way.

How important is mentorship? Can you tell us about the guitarists you’ve mentored?
Mentorship is very important because young people need to look to someone to make a difference along the way. Being in the music business is not a glamorous life; it’s about hard work and dedication, just like everything else, and every day we must strive for excellence. There are several young guitarists around the world who I’m trying to help, and I’m very proud of their progress. They range from 12 to 20 years old. All I have to do is remember when I was young and remember who I admired when I was young. I hope that I can be a guiding light for as many young people as I can.

You’ve lived in Nashville for two years now – what do you miss most about Australia? Do you have plans for a homecoming tour?
I miss everything about Australia! I’ll be back to tour there in January 2008, and I’m very much looking forward to returning.