Guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel-a Chet Atkins protégé and one of only five guitarists honored with a “Certified Guitar Player” or C.G.P. award by the guitar legend
I know the name Chet Atkins and I think he was one of the biggest country stars from we back in the early Grand Ole Opry days. I don't know any songs but if I heard one I might. I'm glad I learned about this man above video. Instant fan!!! 💯
@@Hope...M very cool! I'm no Chet expert-thats my Dad. He loves Chet. Chet is a guitar virtuoso (as intimated in the thread). He's playing is the stuff of legends...solo and collabs. He's also known for being a huge Nashville producer and star maker- he's known for what was come to be called the Nashville Sound. Many, many people found success because of Chet. (He even made Charlie Pride a star!) Definitely worth checking out.
Tommy Emmanuel is one of the greatest guitar players ever. I enjoy him not just for his virtuosity but the sheer joy he emanates while playing. Simply the best.
I saw him live in Melbourne Australia 3 weeks ago, 28 May 2023..... waited so long for the opportunity wow the man is sweet lovely humble and an amazing talent...... thanks to Tommy for all the beauty he has brought into this world ❤
During one of Tommys concerts he asked if there were any guitar players in the audience. A voice piped up from the back of the hall and said, "not anymore"
First met Tommy in Nashville in the summer of 1998. He told me the story of how he first heard Chet Atkins on the radio, when he was seven or eight years old, and was just blown away by what he heard. I only half jokingly, told him if he was ever in East Tennessee, to give me a call and I would show him where Chet grew up. So one morning in March of 1999 I got a call, and the voice said: “ I’m not sure you remember me, but this is a Tommy Emmanuel. I’m on tour with my good friends Jethro Tull in Lima Peru, and my flight home takes me through Houston. Is there anywhere close to Knoxville? I said by Australian standards, yes. He then ask if he could stop in for a visit. Anyway, he ended up staying with us for three days and we put together an impromptu show for the local guitar Society and you can only imagine the reaction! Though his skills on guitar are unsurpassed, what you probably don’t know, is how much of a down to earth, genuine person he is. Simply one of the greatest talents and best all-around person you’ll ever meet!
The thing about Tommy Emmanuel playing acoustic guitar is that acoustics are way harder to play than electrics - they are less forgiving when you miss a note. He's incredible.
I’ve seen Tommy Emmanuel 4 different times in concert and each time is like seeing him for the first time. Amazing guitarist that always puts on a show
A great young acoustic guitarist is Billy Strings. There is a video of him doing a show with Tommy Emmanuel at a festival. Another phenomenal duo is Frank Vignola and Vinnie Raniola. They were in a trio with Tommy Emmanuel for several years and did this incredibly fast gypsy jazz.
He used to play support for his late, big brother Phil who was arguably better. They were the finest duo on the planet bar none. They were self taught starting from when they were respectively 4 and 6 years of age. To see them live on stage was fire. 🔥
I've been around for a very long time, old enough to be your grandmother or possibly great-grandmother. Your search for the best guitar player will never end because there is NO greatest guitarist. Each master guitarist, whether on electric or accoustic guitar; whether it be classical, jazz, blues, country, folk or rock; whether they played in this century or before, all bring their own unique flavor to the music. This is not only true for guitarists, it's true for all masters of every instument. I respect and love them all but it is the ones who innovate that thrill me the most.
It might surprise you to know that Charro, the silly cutchi cutchi woman, is a classical guitar virtuoso. The persona she's more known for was a way to get recognized. Please try to find one of her guitar performances ❤
I think the reason Tommy is considered the best is because he's so good at so many genres and he's really fantastic at both acoustic and electric although acoustic is his bread and butter. I just spent a week with him in Iceland for a guitar camp he hosted and got to play on stage with him in front of the other instructors and students. It was amazing. There are a bunch of videos of him on my channel.
Tommy Emmanuel is amazing. This particular performance is a cover of the original “Classical Gas”, composed, recorded and released in 1968 by the original artist Mason Williams. The song was a huge hit in the late 60s, and was considered a very complex acoustic guitar piece. That being said, Tommy Emmanuel more than exceeds greatness with this piece! Thanks for the reaction, guys! ✌💙✌
So glad y’all reacted to this because I hadn’t yet seen it myself. This is a great song! I taught this to myself on piano in high school and also did a jazz dance performance to it my senior year of HS. It’s a fun one! I’m going to check him out. When you guys are debating who’s the best, keep in mind that the acoustic guitar is much, much more difficult to play than electric. This dude is incredible!
YEP. I think its time to let you guys know about my man Roy Clark, the Bruce Lee of guitar playing. This guy's strumming hand was so fast that the cameras of the time could only make it look blurry when he was really going at it. Check out - Malaguena (The odd couple). On first impression, you'd think his right hand is just picking the chords really fast (which is impressive on it own), but its actually really precise and you can barely make out the little pauses and blurry bounces he makes with his wrist.
I've seen him live twice. Unbelievable experience! One of the greatest guitar players in history, and such a humble man. Got to have my picture taken with him and an autograph on one of my guitars after he played a little bit on it.
All credit for Mason creating one of the classic guitar tunes. Tommy has simply expanded the original through his own mastery of the instrument and in most cases enhanced what Mason created. If anything Mason would be honoured that Tommy has given his own interpretation with his mastery and virtuosity. If I ever created something as iconic as Classical Gas and someone like Mike Dawes or Sungha Jung happened along and cast their own interpretative genius upon it, I would be so floored and humbled that they can see the same possiblities that Mason felt when he created his masterpiece. Kudos to Tommy, a living legend on the steel string guitar. And keep entertaining with your reaction, guys. You are most entertaining.
Tommy heard (on the radio) songs played by multiple guitars, thinking it was just a single guitar, so he taught himself to play like he heard. Notice how he uses his thumb over the neck to keep the base, while his fingers move like lightning to play the rest... freaking awesome.
As a lifetime guitar player I really appreciate this. What an amazing talent. Anyway, I love you guys and the different stuff you all bring to react to. I watch the Cartier Family basically every day.
Mason Williams composed it, and it was a radio hit some time in the 60s or 70s (I disremember). Then Jim Stafford performed it on solo acoustic guitar on his summer replacement show and suddenly everyone was playing a solo acoustic version. It's one of my favorites. Tommy Emmanuel's version is actually something of a mash-up with some other famous riffs. If you look closely at the condition of his guitar, you can ascertain how he plays it. Also, you should look for some Roy Clark. He plays an acoustic guitar like nobody else. And he also plays fiddle and some other instruments. That Prince performance was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's tribute to ex-Beatle George Harrison, with a bunch of musicians (including George Harrison's son) playing Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Prince had never heard the song until Tom Petty called him about doing the tribute, and he (Prince) never showed up for the dress rehearsal - just told them not to worry about it and he'd fill in at the end. Here's the re-mastered version; it's better than the one you may have seen first: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uBjE727azjA.html
Tommy is arguably the greatest Acoustic Guitarist in the world. Revered by everyone in the industry. He does play electric, but he prefers his acoustic. He had an older brother Phil who was even better than he was, if that can be believed, but he prefered the Electric Guitar but also played the Acoustic. Perfect polar opposites that accentuated each other whenever they played together. Their concerts and gigs together was something rare to witness as they just harmonised and played off each other.
We've been to Tommy Fest a couple of times in KY and about 10 years ago, I got my husband a workshop class where he and about 10 others got to sit down and play guitar with/learn from Tommy. That same weekend, I had also scored us front row - center tickets to one of the concerts. It was an incredible trip! I highly recommend seeing him live!
BEST HANDS - Hand Down ! Tommy cannot be bested by any guitarist on the planet in acoustic ..... and likely a terror on a slab body powered up as well. Incredible. jj
Saw Tommy Emmanuel in concert a couple of months ago: absolutely incredible musician! His Beatles Medley is my fave!! I also love his version of Slow Dancing in a Burning Room duet with Mike Dawes. Richard Smith is another outstanding finger style/acoustic guitar player that is worth checking out.
No TV in outback Australia growing up, Tommy listened to music on the radio. He did not know about bass guitars, and thought guitar and bass guitar parts came from the same instrument. So he taught himself to do that. Brilliantly. Imagine his surprise. Imagine everybody else's surprise!
The hit song "Classical Gas" was originally written and performed by guitarist Mason Williams in 1968 with a full orchestra -- against songs by the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Supremes, James Brown, the Four Tops & other masterful artists. Mason was just a comedy writer for The Smothers Brothers CBS TV show. He blew everyone's mind with his playing. Even a young Tommy.
I strongly recommend checking out Mike Dawes. He basically plays all the instruments of a song just on his acoustic guitar. He plays the guitar part of a song, and at the same time he's tapping out the drum beat on the wood of the acoustic guitar, and playing the bass notes. It's an incredible skill.
Mason Williams recorded the original version of this song in the 60s in a recording studio in Oklahoma city or Norman. Mason himself was a native Oklahoman. I personally like the original version by Mason Williams better, and you guys should check it out and see which one you prefer.
As a guitar player of some 40 years myself, yes, I can tell you he is one of the best ever. Keep in mind that he's playing an acoustic with steel strings, very difficult to play that fast and that clean. He's not using the flexible nylon strings or a distorted electric which can cover a lot of mistakes. And this is probably the most taxing song I've ever seen him play. Amazing. If you're looking for greats on the acoustic, try the video titled "Roy Clark Guitar Wizard." Enjoy.
I saw him live here in the UK, and it was like being tied to the front of a train for 90 mins. He doesn't waste half his set chatting, it's a none stop attack of amazing guitar goodness.
Tommy's neck (& mind) bending technique is performed on a Maton guitar. Maton is an Australian manufacturer of some of the best sounding axes (guitars). Tommy has always done Australia proud. Glad you liked it. Check out Tommy's "!2 Blue Blues" & "Guitar Boogie". Cheers from Sydney, AU.
Do you know the young French guitarist Tina S who recorded a cover of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata back in 2016? If you haven't heard her, I think it would make excellent viewing. Seriously.
I have met Tommy twice (we have a mutual music friend) and seen him perform, outdoors through a large PA.. He played in his family band with his brother Phil (R.I.P.), who was more the "lead guitarist"! FYI Tommy found the Lord many years ago and he says it saved his life.. He is amazing, a beautiful man with love in his heart. (And Im an Atheist)
Dear Cartier Family...I've been watching and wayching this master for years...he's not from this planet! He just came here just show how it's done to us piddling earthlings. He'll bring tears and wonder to your ears and eyes. Check out him and his brother Phil...the pair are complete show-stoppers beyond belief! Enjoy gents!!
Dan Vask, sings his own Amazing Grace rendetion. Please play this song ull b blown away by the end. Heavy metal/hard rock singer . From Brazil but sings in english usually be ready to be blown AWAY!!! Its FIAH!!!❤😢😊
Wow, so fun to see people find TE for the first time. The guitarist your favorite guitarist looks up to. If you do another Tommy Emmanuel reaction it should be of him live. You'll see how equally good he is as a natural solo entertainer as he is guitar player. Unparalleled package.
First time I saw him was on tv showed one of his concert, had no idea who this man was before that, but he’s incredible, have had the fortune to see him live two times, the first was outside on a soccer plan the second time it was in Gothenburg concert hall. Examples on other songs too see are Somewhere over the rainbow, Pink Panther theme, House of the Rising Sun, Beatles medley, Mombasa, Ruby’s Eyes, Angelina, Guitar Boogie, Amazing Grace.
Saw Tommy a couple of times when some local players brought him to Baton Rouge and did a couple of shows there. Just him on a stage kept me hypnotized.
'While my guitar gently sleeps' is the Prince performance that you're looking for lads!! With Jeff Lynne, Stevie Winwood, Tom Petty and Dhani Harrisson (George Harrison from the Beatles son, on acoustic guitar) : ) It is one of Prince's greatest live (cameo) performances!! I Like your reaction vids, keep it going!
Yep. Tommy Emmanuel is a genuine rags to riches Australian talent that, even today, is ignored by most Americans. At least you guys gave him an airing.
I’m from Hawaii…I love you guys. Hawaii has a very deep history of diversity and it’s difficult to understand the racism that goes on in the Mainland! You guys seem like a couple of local brothers to me and I F applaud you brothers for having the strength and courage to rise above this bullshit victim mentality and search for truth. God Bless all of you. Stay strong brothers..wish I could meet y’all and F shake your hands. God Bless you…and your families!!! Aloha my brothers!!!!
I had forgotten about this song. The song by Mason Williams with the full orchestra in the background was so popular long ago. It was played on the radio all the time on the rock FM station when all there was was radio.
![CartierFamily REACTS: Tommy Emmanuel "Classical Gas" [Mason Williams]](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
