Australia's greatest living guitarist Tommy Emmanuel makes his Blues On Broadbeach debut in May as part of his first Australian tour in four years.
Now based in the musical holy land of Nashville, Tommy hasn't been back to Australia since 2019. "I can't wait. I've been so looking forward to it," Tommy says."I was talking with John Williamson recently, and a friend of mine went to see him at his venue that he has close to where he lives, and she brought me a 'True Blue' pin and gave it to me at a show over here. I cried," he laughs, "I couldn’t believe it, just something as simple as that."
Since he was last here, Tommy has produced a vast collection of new material, weathered a pandemic and become an employer, all while continuing to pass on his immense knowledge of guitar to an ever-emerging generation of players via live sessions on social media.
"During COVID, obviously none of us could work and I employed three people: my sound man who is my tour manager, my lighting director who is also an assistant and a lady named Renee who runs my office and runs merchandise, she does a lot of stuff," Tommy explains.
"I wanted to keep them on. The government helped us out here with small business loans and I was able to keep everyone on a wage right through COVID, and I'm really grateful I was able to do that."
Tommy's upcoming national tour includes his first-ever performance at Blues On Broadbeach, a festival that has already reserved a special place in his heart because of his late brother Phil. "I was booked to play there years ago," he says.
"The funny thing is, my brother Phil, rest his soul, used to tell me: 'You've got to do Blues On Broadbeach, it's a great festival,' because he used to play it a lot.
"I feel such a connection to it, and I haven't been there yet but because my brother told me all about it, you know.
"I love playing to big, open-air crowds. I did Byron Bay Blues Festival a few years ago and there was like 25,000 people in front of me and holy smoke they yelled the roof of that thing, it was incredible. It went off like a rocket."
Before Tommy arrives in Australia, he embarks on an extensive tour of Europe and heads to Iceland where he will host the next instalment of his world-famous guitar camp for 160 students from all over the world.
Tommy is one of a handful of guitarists that have been bestowed the honour and title of Certified Guitar Player (CGP) by guitar great Chet Atkins, granted in recognition of his contributions to the art of fingerpicking.
Having taught and inspired countless guitarists, it's asked of Tommy who he would consider to be granted CGP status given the opportunity. "That's Chet's thing, but in my eyes, there are so many great young players out there," Tommy says.
"There's Julian Lage, he is so brilliant. Richard Smith from England who I brought out to Australia for my guitar camp a few years ago, he definitely qualifies, and I think Stuie French is right up there with the greats.
"Ian Moss is one of my favourite players. I've known Mossy since the late '70s and he has always been one of my favourites, not only his playing but his singing. He's got his own voice."
As one of Australia's most gifted and prolific guitarists, an undisputed master of the form, Tommy remains ever-grateful that he's still able to write, record and, more than anything, perform for music lovers of all ages.
"We all have different callings, we all have different roads to go, and I've been so fortunate all my life," Tommy says. "I love to play, and I love to play for people. It's how I make a living but what makes me happy is when I see people having a great time, it's a great job."
Tommy Emmanuel performs at Blues On Broadbeach (Gold Coast) Friday 19 May. The free festival runs 18-21 May.
Blues On Broadbeach 2023 Line-Up
Tommy EmmanuelDon Walker
Melbourne Ska Orchestra (20th anniversary show)* new addition
Emma Donovan & The Putbacks
Chris Cheney* new addition
The Kevin Borich Express
Marcus Scott & The Bo-Keys
Tommy Mclain & C.C. Adcock* new addition
Blue Shaddy* new addition
The Turner Brown Band
The Mason Rack Band
Steph Strings
Jazzparty
Little Georgia* new addition
Albi & The Wolves* new addition
8 Ball Aitken* new addition
Julian James And The Moonshine State* new addition
Ian Collard* new addition
Frank Sultana Blues Band
Darren Jack Band
The Lecia Louise Band
Kee’ahn
Chris Finnen Band
This Way North
Mike Elrington* new addition
Heavy Wax
The Long Johns* new addition
Lightnin Jack* new addition
Aaron West’s Blues Guitar Junket
Transvaal Diamond Syndicate* new additon
BB Factory* new addition
Lily & King* new addition
Simon Kinny-Lewis* new addition
C.J.Lee* new addition
The Walters* new additon
Diamonds And The Blues
Adam Hole Band
Ben Westphal Trio* new addition
JB's Blues Breakers* new addition
Hemi* new addition
Just Be* new addition
Plus more
Tommy Emmanuel 2023 Tour Dates
Sun 7 May - Canberra Theatre CentreMon 8 May - Newcastle Civic Theatre
Wed 10 May - Perth Concert Hall
Fri 12 May - Cairns Performing Arts Centre
Sun 14 May - Pilbeam Theatre (Rockhampton)
Tue 16 May - Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre
Wed 17 May - Moncrieff Entertainment Centre (Bundaberg)
Thu 18 May - The Events Centre (Sunshine Coast)
Fri 19 May - Blues On Broadbeach (Gold Coast)
Sun 21 May - Sydney Opera House (3pm, 8pm shows)
Tue 23 May - Queensland Performing Arts Centre (Brisbane)
Wed 24 May - Festival Theatre (Adelaide)
Fri 26 May - Wrest Point Hotel (Hobart)
Sat 27 May - Country Club Tasmania (Launceston)
Sun 28 May - Hamer Hall (Melbourne)
