Tommy Emmanuel

Australia’s internationally acclaimed acoustic guitar icon Tommy Emmanuel CGP returns to Australia in April, and has combined a special 30th anniversary appearance at the hugely successful Bluesfest in Byron Bay with select capital city performances plus some rare regional shows.

Tommy brings the power and dynamism of a full band to his solo acoustic playing, with incredible charisma, stunning speed and dexterity and unerring command of melody. Tommy’s message is pure love for the guitar and the music and his delight in sharing it with the world, one audience at a time. Tommy’s greatest honour was being named by his childhood idol Chet Atkins as a ‘Certified Guitar Player’ (CGP). The legendary US guitarist and producer Atkins gave this designation to only five players in history.

Tommy brings a very special guest with him for these shows—for the first time in Australia, audiences will be able to see legendary dobro master Jerry Douglas in action, direct from Nashville. A great friend of Tommy’s and winner of 14 Grammy Awards, Jerry has played on more than 1,600 albums and will not only open the shows, but also team up with Tommy for some very special musical treats together that will leave audiences with mouths agape.

"When you see him playing you think 'Oh my god, he's doing that all by himself'." - Eric Idle, Monty Python

"Imagine Chet Atkins with the testosterone of Eddie Van Halen ..." - Steve Vai