‘It’s Never Too Late’ for Tommy Emmanuel

In support of his 2015 album, “It’s Never Too Late,” two-time Grammy nominee Tommy Emmanuel — whose five-decade career has garnered hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide — will bring his live show to The State Theatre on Friday.

An Australian guitarist, songwriter and occasional singer, Emmanuel is best known for his complex fingerstyle technique, energetic performances and the use of percussive effects on the guitar. Although originally a session player in many bands, he has carved out his own style as a solo artist in recent years, releasing award-winning albums and singles.

A self-taught musician, Emmanuel has no real training, still doesn’t read music and basically does everything by ear. Though Emmanuel possesses this unique gift, he said he greatly admires people who can do both.

“I did try to learn to read when I was in my early 20s, but I just seemed to have either no patience for it or a mental block about it because it just wouldn’t sink in,” he said. “I couldn’t equate what was on the page to what I had to do with my hands. Whereas if I heard the music I could play it back to you. So I just had to follow that path.”

Emmanuel makes a living playing live, and he truly believes it to be his calling in life.

“I really enjoy coming to town and giving people a great time, and hopefully they will experience something about life that is not just show business,” he said. “It’s someone doing something that is deep and real that they really believe in and that they believe they are meant to do. That’s a powerful statement in itself. I enjoy the challenge of getting out there and giving people a great time.”

At a young age, Emmanuel was fascinated by Chet Atkins’ musical style of playing bass lines, chords, melodies and harmonies simultaneously using the thumb and fingers of the right hand, achieving a dynamic range of sound from the instrument. Although Emmanuel’s playing incorporates a multitude of musical influences and styles, including jazz, blues, bluegrass, folk and rock, this type of country fingerstyle playing is at the core of his technique.

Emmanuel has played with many other notable artists throughout his career, including Eric Clapton, Sir George Martin, Air Supply, John Denver, Les Paul and Doc Watson.

“Working with John Denver back in the ’80s was wonderful,” he said. “That guy was so consistent on stage, and such a kind person as well. He was a great artist to be around, and he was truly like an old friend. I’ve just been very fortunate in my life to work with some great people.”

Emmanuel’s most recent album, “It’s Never Too Late,” was finished in three days, with the songs cut in just one or two takes. The record features mostly Emmanuel’s original material and does not include backup musicians — a totally solo acoustic album that represents what he is doing on stage. Emmanuel wrote the song “It’s Never Too Late” for his 1-year-old daughter, Rachel.

“There’s a sign in my house when you walk through the front door, and it says ‘It’s Never Too Late to Live Happily Ever After,’ ” the 60-year-old said. “But if there’s anything I know about good old Father Time, he never stops. You have to get on with whatever it is that you want to do, but you’d better go and get it done.”

Emmanuel has played solo and in bands, and has always gone from one thing to the other for the experience.

“What I do now is my childhood dream, which was to tour the world and play concert halls — that’s what I wanted to do,” he said. “I somehow made my way through the maze that is life when you’re young, and found the pot of gold at the end. I’ve always believed that that’s what I’m supposed to do.”

Today, Emmanuel is out there to try and show young people the joy of playing, the joy of being dedicated to an instrument and the pleasure that playing for people gives them.

“Music is such a great healer — it’s just as important as any other kind of therapy,” he said. “When you play and people forget their troubles, they’re getting a break from concern. When someone has you engaged, you can’t think of anything else.”

This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 4:38 PM with the headline "‘It’s Never Too Late’ for Tommy Emmanuel."