“ I hesitate to refer to Tommy Emmanuel simply as a guitar player, because he is unquestionably one of the most gifted artists of our time.” -- Acoustic Guitar MagazineThe year 2001 was one of tremendous growth, both in audience attendance and musical collaboration, all over the world. After Tommy’s appearance on the Closing Ceremonies of the Sydney Olympic Games, and his debut at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, in late 2000, everyone wanted to know who this mysterious Australian guitar virtuoso was.In January, Tommy was invited to open for Italy’s most famous band, “Pooh” and spent the month performing to sold-out crowds all around the country. He then followed up with major solo appearances. In March and April he returned to play New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong appearing on major TV programs and a run of sold-out shows. In May he appeared on Mountain Stage, a US National Public Radio nation-wide program. In July, his beloved friend Chet Atkins passed away and Tommy came to Nashville for the annual Chet Atkins Appreciation Society convention shortly after Chet’s passing to celebrate his life with other great guitarists and friends.The events of September 11th, 2001 prevented Tommy’s return to the Walnut Valley Festival on September 12th. But he finally arrived on the first available flight to the United States to commence a large-scale tour encompassing brand new territories including Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Northern California, Oklahoma, Connecticut, and New York State. His appearances included a performance at the Australian Embassy in Washington D.C. where he was introduced by the Australian Ambassador to members of the US government community and transplanted Australians.November marked the limited release of his album “ONLY” in England, which was distributed by the indie Southbound Records. He supported the release with a full tour of the country including ten days in Ireland. This tour recruited a large legion of new fans in the UK and Ireland regions, and generated tremendous media coverage.Tommy Emmanuel has become a household name in his native homeland of Australia. His music and his life have become part of legend. Through hard work and endless tours, he has earned a success unequalled by any instrumental artist ever in Australia. With 4 platinum & 3 gold albums and many awards, he sets the standard for others to emulate. As a songwriter, his compositions have been recorded by Olivia Newton-John, Al Jarreau and Sheena Easton. His career has spanned 4 decades and continues to forge on into the 21st century with a new CD titled “ONLY”. It’s his first solo acoustic album and finally being released internationally on Steve Vai’s newly created FAVORED NATIONS ACOUSTIC imprint. Tommy’s mission is to expand his audience and take his music to the rest of the world.CAREER HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:**Tommy’s presence was first felt in the USA when his album “Midnight Drive” was in the top 5 for 16 weeks, which made him the “most added artist” on the NAC radio charts in 1997.** Grammy Award nomination for his participation with mentor Chet Atkins on his "The Day Finger Pickers Took Over The World" (Columbia Records, 1998).**In Nashville in 1999, Tommy was honoured by his mentor, Chet Atkins, receiving the Certified Guitar Player (CGP) award, for his contribution to finger style guitar. It was a crowning moment for the “Kid from Down Under.”**His versatility has taken Tommy from international Jazz Festivals to special events at The Sydney Opera House, The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Plus performing for the King of Thailand and the Australian Prime Minister and going to remote areas in Peru and Africa to name a few.**Tommy has toured and worked with; Sir George Martin, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Michael Bolton, Olivia Newton-John, Tina Arena, Bill Wyman, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, James Burton, John Denver, Albert Lee, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Dave Koz, Martin Taylor, Leo Kottke, Hank Marvin, Joe Walsh, Warren Hill, James Morrison, John Farnham, Roberta Flack, Randy Goodrum, David Hirshfelder, The Chieftains and many more.“I’ve spent all my life from the age of 4 playing music and entertaining people, I never wanted to do anything else, … music truly brings people together."