Two-Time Grammy Nominee Tommy Emmanuel to Perform At USU

Two-time Grammy nominee and guitarist Tommy Emmanuel returns to Utah State University for one appearance only sponsored by the guitar program in USU’s Department of Music and Caine School of the Arts.

Emmanuel performs Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in USU’s Performance Hall. Admission is $15, and USU students with current ID are admitted free. Ticket reservations are strongly advised and can be made by calling (435) 797-3011 and leaving name and number of tickets required. Tickets must be picked up 15 minutes prior to the concert’s start.

 

“I am bringing Tommy back to Utah State University because he is simply one of the finest and most entertaining guitarists there is,” said guitar program head Mike Christiansen. “When he performed at USU three years ago, the audience was spellbound and on its feet long before the final number. I anticipate a sell-out, and that’s why I strongly encourage early reservations.”

 

Emmanuel’s professional career spans more than four decades and continues to intersect those of the finest musicians throughout the world. A household name in his native Australia, Emmanuel has fans worldwide. He is noted for a unique style — he simply calls it “finger style” — akin to playing the guitar the way a pianist plays piano, using all 10 fingers.

 

Emmanuel said Chet Atkins was one of the first to inspire him to pick up the instrument. Decades later, the two recorded together in 1996 on “The Day the Finger Pickers Took Over the World,” a release that earned Emmanuel his first Grammy nomination. The recording was also the last before Atkins’ death in 2001. In 1999, Atkins honored Emmanuel with the title “Certified Guitar Player” for his lifetime contribution to the art of finger style guitar playing. The title is shared by only three others in the world, Jerry Reed, Steve Warner and John Knowles.

 

Over his storied career that includes 16 recordings, the list of performers he has performed with reads like a who’s-who in the entertainment industry. He has performed with Atkins, Les Paul, Keith Urban, Eric Clapton, Sir George Martin, Tina Turner, Joe Walsh, Stevie Wonder, Nikie Edwards (for the Ventures), Hank Marvin, the Lexington (Kentucky) Philharmonic, the Dortmund (Germany) Symphony and the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra.

 

In recent years, Emmanuel has performed for new audiences in Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Belgium, Korea, Singapore and Japan, with additional touring throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

 

“His dazzling performances, flawless guitar skills and voluminous repertoire never fail to amaze audiences and engage thousands of new fans everywhere,” his Web site said.

 

That’s a statement that Christiansen roundly endorses.

 

 

 

Contact: Mike Christiansen (435) 797-3011