Guitar great Tommy Emmanuel
Legendary guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel played Christchurch in April this year. Metropol Editor Lynda Papesch caught up with him to talk life, music, and inspiration.
On his first tour to New Zealand in six years, world-renowned guitarist Tommy Emmanuel left audiences in no doubt that he is a master.
A living legend in the world of acoustic guitar, Tommy’s internationally celebrated for his jaw-dropping technique, innovation, and boundless musicality. For decades he has enthralled audiences around the globe with dazzling fingerstyle performances, strumming and plucking his beloved Maton guitar.
From breathtaking ballads to exhilarating up-tempo tunes, his repertoire is a mix of old and new, the last 10 years working on the latter. “I feel more driven than ever,” Tommy explains. “The last decade has been so much work with many new songs, and a lot of great times and adventures in life and music that will never be repeated.”
He’s known for playing all genres, enjoying a wide range of music, “and people too”. “I love hearing music from all cultures and countries, however, I don’t waste my hearing on anything soulless,” he smiles. That smile is part of his trademark. 
Tommy is happiest playing, putting his heart and soul into his music. “I can’t help playing to people with all my heart, which is overflowing with joy of being in that moment that I’ve worked all my life for.” His happiness is infectious, fans admitting it’s hard not to be happy at his shows.
Now in his seventies, and Australian by birth, Tommy’s visited New Zealand often. “It’s a beautiful place, and there’s a lot of talent and inspiration that springs out of the place. New Zealand crowds are awesome. There’s a genuine love of music that transcends age or religions.”
On tour, he doesn’t use a set list unless working with a band or orchestra. “I make up my mind what to start with, and then make it up as I go along. This last New Zealand tour, I had no opening act, so played two sets. That’s always fun and challenging for me. It also gives me a chance to tell more stories if that’s what I’m led to do.”
While known for his guitar skills and his hand-crafted Australian guitar, Tommy also plays bass and “I really love playing drums”.
He’s constantly inspired by other artists, singers, films, stories, and people who show a better way to live. “You can never go wrong drawing inspiration from great artists like Chet Atkins,
The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, the list can go on and on.”
Music has been his life-long inspiration. From a musical family, around age six Tommy went on tour with the family band, and by the time he reached his twenties, he was the most sought-after performer and session musician in Sydney.
By age 30, he was burning on electric guitar with several rock bands in stadiums across Europe, while yearning for something purer and closer to his heart. Throwing fate to the wind, Tommy went acoustic, stripping away everything but the essentials. His trademark became one acoustic guitar in standard tuning, played by one ambitiously unchained guitarist and a lover of song.
His inspiration for the transformation was his hero, Chet Atkins, who represented the purity of one man, one guitar, and unlimited passion for serving the song. Tommy met Chet in Nashville, and they formed an immediate bond and life-long friendship.
Chet also welcomed Tommy into guitarist knighthood by bestowing upon him the coveted title of CGP (Certified Guitar Player), an honour awarded only to four others.
For Tommy now, it’s still about the purity of music. “Always it’s about melody, of expressing the tune not with a barrage of notes, but with those which touch the heart,” he says.
