On The Fly

In this episode, The Tommy Emmanuel Effect: Casual Listener to Accomplished Guitarist . . .  The first time you see Tommy Emmanuel perform, you might swear it's like watching a magic trick. You're kidding  —   where's the bass player and drummer – hiding backstage? But no — it’s just him, one guitar, and a sound so full it feels like a whole band is coming from that single instrument. You don't believe me, click here. If you’ve ever felt uninspired in your guitar playing—or always wanted to learn but lacked motivation—Tommy Emmanuel might be just the spark you need. Tommy isn’t just a guitarist; he’s a force of nature. His signature mix of Travis picking and percussive techniques transforms the guitar into a full rhythm section, melody line, and harmony all at once. His control and precision make it look effortless, even though he’s juggling what feels like three instruments at the same time. It’s no wonder that Chet Atkins honored Tommy with the rare title of “Certifi...

In this episode – RCA Studio B, Nashville . . . You've never been to Nashville; what sights would you want to see? Is it the "Broadway Honkytonk Scene" where live bands "blast" their music non-stop from 9:30 am until 3:00 am every day! Maybe it's The Grand Ole' Opry? Or how about the Earnest Tubb Record Shop serving downtown Nashville since 1947 - hosting The Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree, the second longest-running radio show in history. Broadcast on WSM 650 with a live audience every Saturday at 10:00 pm. For me, it was Historic RCA Studio B. Constructed in 1957, RCA Studio B became known as the birthplace of the "Nashville Sound." A melodic style characterized by background vocals and strings helped establish Nashville as an international recording center from 1957 – 1977 – Music City USA. On December 3rd, 1957, country singer Don Gibson stood before a microphone in a newly built Nashville studio at 17th Ave. South and Hawkins St, leased to ...

 In this episode – Tommy at The Ryman . . . "Shit happens! This is real life; just give me a minute to retune this guitar." Tommy Emmanuel pounds the driving cord to his live performance during a pulse-pounding rendering of "Fuel" from his album Tommy Songs. Red strobe lights flash, a loud pop, darkness, then silence reverberated throughout the auditorium, and a little laughter from the stage - one of his guitar pickup amplifiers has blown completely out. It was Saturday-evening, September 25 th, 2021, seated in the balcony 4 th , row center stage left, in the Pews at Nashville's most famous concert venue, the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. You may know it as the original Grand Ole' Opry. There was no doubt; this is what we came to experience! It was clear that Tommy Emmanuel was keyed-up for tonight's show. Was it the historic venue, the fact that live stage performances had not been played since the start of this COVID pandemic, or was it the pu...