"I think he's probably the greatest finger-picker in the world today." Chet Atkins.

His career spans three decades and continues to intersect with some of the finest musicians in the world time and time again. A household name in his native Australia, he's garnered tens of thousands of loyal fans on all five continents. Known as a “musician's musician,” he's been described (more than once, and by some of the biggest names in the industry) as the greatest guitar player alive today. Emmanuel's unique style he calls it simply “fingerstyle” is akin to playing a guitar the way a pianist plays a piano. While Tommy has many imitators, few approach his mastery. Jazz legend Chet Atkins was one of the first people who inspired Emmanuel to pick up a guitar.

Decades later, Atkins himself became one of Emmanuel's biggest fans, and is responsible for declaring Emmanuel a “Certified Guitar Player” an honor shared by only two other people in the world (Jerry Reed and John Knowles).I've spent my whole life from the age of 4 playing music and entertaining people. I never wanted to do anything else,” says Emmanuel. “Playing the guitar is much more than a career for me. It's a passion ... my life."