By: Brittney Schering
Guitarist extraordinaire, Tommy Emmanuel is to perform tonight, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m at the State Theatre in Downtown Kalamazoo. Frank Vignola will open the show.
As a two-time Grammy nominee, Emmanuel is one of Australia's most respected musicians. The legendary guitarist has a professional career that spans nearly 50 years. He continues to collaborate with some of the world's finest musicians today.
Emmanuel's unique style is akin to playing the guitar the way a pianist plays piano, using all ten fingers. Instead of using a whole band for melody, rhythm, bass, and drums, he plays all of that, and more, on his one guitar.
He was inspired to try this "fingerpicker"style as a child after seeing guitar legend, Chet Atkins. Decades later, Atkins himself became one of Emmanuel's greatest fans.
Emmanuel started his solo instrumental career with the release of the gentle and textural Up from Down Under album in 1988. In the '90s, his efforts began to be noticed by the Australian music industry and media. Sales of his albums have set records that have yet to be broken.
Admission is only $30. For more information, head over to www.tommyemmanuel.com.
