Tommy Emmanuel-Gavin Woods Podcast-Series 7 Episode 4

Gavin Wood's Podcast

Tommy Emmanuel was a working professional age of 6, playing rhythm guitar in his family’s band as they toured Australia.

He has never had a formal guitar lesson, in fact, he doesn’t read music or know music theory. However, he’s considered one of the modern masters of the guitar, with Chet Atkins naming Tommy as a Certified Guitar Player, an honour bestowed to only 4 other people.

Tommy’s guitar skills grew from natural talent and decades of practice. His playing incorporates a multitude of musical influences and styles, including jazz, blues, bluegrass, folk and rock, this type of country finger-style playing is at the core of his technique.

After years as a popular sideman and songwriter, the two-time ARIA Award winner launched his solo career in 1988 with Up from Down Under. As a solo performer, he never plays to a set list and uses a minimum of effects onstage. He usually completes studio recordings in one take and has released a total of 37 albums.

A four-time winner of Australia's Best Guitarist Award, Tommy has been nominated for 2 Grammy awards, won 4 Country Music Awards and was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown in 2011. Tommy won Australian performer of the year in 1994 and 1996, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2010.