In this extensive interview they discuss recording together, choosing tunes and teaching guitar.

Read the Martin Taylor & Tommy Emmanuel interview here.

I’ve been playing the guitar for 53 years, I’ve been playing professionally for 40 years. As a child, music was the only thing I understood and could relate to. I didn’t understand anything else except music. As a child people used to talk to me and I couldn’t understand what they were saying, I couldn’t understand the words, it sounded like a strange foreign language to me, but I totally understood music when I heard it. I thought in sounds and music, not words… and still do. I immediately wanted to start playing music as it was the only means of communication for me.

I was fortunate that my father was a musician, he encouraged me in my love of music.

I left school when I was 15. Having no academic qualifications meant I had nothing to fall back on, I had to just do it. I joined the band on the QE2 in 1973 and sailed from England to America.

When I came back home I fell in love with a girl from Glasgow when I was 17, we got married when we were 19, we became parents at 20, we’re still happily married.

Our elder son James has been my manager for about 15 years, but sadly we lost our younger son Stewart in 2005 when he was 21. Losing Stewart almost destroyed me, I was very ill for almost 3 years. For quite a while I couldn’t play the guitar, and had to start all over again. During that time I had what I can only describe as a spiritual experience, which led me to follow a spiritual path, and I started to play the guitar again.

I’ve been so fortunate to have known and work with musicians that inspired me right from the beginning. The first music I heard as a child was early recordings of Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli. In 1976 I met Stephane for the first time, then he asked me to join his band, and I toured with him from 1979 to 1990. I made 20 albums with Stephane. Those years were such an important part of my life.

Other musicians that inspired me that I got to know and work with were Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Charlie Byrd, Tal Farlow, Mundell Lowe, Joe Pass…. many, many more.

When you start to explore the language of music it becomes very deep. For me, the great joy of performing is when I get into that deep zone of music, I cannot explain it, but anyone that knows what that is will tell you it is a truly magical place to be. That’s where I am when I’m on stage.

I feel very blessed that I am able to travel all over the world playing the music that I love and am very grateful to everyone that shows up at my gigs and gives me the opportunity to get into that wonderful musical zone… I thank you all!

This is not a hobby… this is deep stuff.

(first published on Martin Taylor’s Facebook page on 6th May 2013)

The distribution network for the Martin Taylor ‘Virtuoso’ and ‘Maestro’ archtop guitar models have expanded significantly over the last twelve months, with new authorised dealers and distributor appointments in Russia, Turkey, Denmark, Mexico, UAE, New Zealand, and Portugal.

Against a climate of global economic ‘doom and gloom’, demand for the Martin Taylor guitars is giving every appearance of ‘bucking’ the trend, while continuing its growth. The establishment of Peerless Distribution LLC will increase the profile of Martin Taylor guitars in the USA and Canada, and will generate further penetration into regional territories, such as the Bahamas and areas of South America.

Peerless Distribution LLC is fronted by CEO, Gary Travis who has a long and enviable career both in and out of the music industry. Gary’s success in business, coupled with his love of music, as a guitar player and designer, gives him an excellent perspective on the bigger picture and the provision of an outstanding service to customers. The core team includes financial guru, Larry Becknell, who has a career spanning over 30 years in business and project management. His experience includes billion dollar development deals for the government, and real estate projects across the USA.

Also included on the team are John VanWaganer, luthier and guitarist, who has performed professionally at the highest level, and guitarist, Seth Garner who brings a youthful and clear understanding covering many aspects of music production. The team combines a good balance of business acumen, financial prowess, guitar building, and playing experience, all of which ensures that customers of Peerless Distribution LLC will receive a first class product, supported by a first class service.

Enquiries to:

PEERLESS DISTRIBUTION LLC

Tel: (001) 323 303 7681

Email: info@peerlessdistribution.com

www.peerlessdistribution.com

Martin starts off with a video lesson showing the very basic arrangement of a tune in order to show you the melody, harmonic structure and chord sequence (including transcriptions). Now the fun starts as Martin personally guides you through developing your own version of the tune. You can submit a video of your progress for Taylor to provide video feedback on. Over a series of video exchanges you’ll be able to create your own arrangements.

“Creating your own arrangements is an incredibly powerful way to expand your skills and increase your understanding of your own playing,” said Martin. “Having literally watched countless students achieve dramatic improvement online, it is gratifying to be able to evolve the lessons to help them to take this next step.”

If you are already a subscriber of Martin’s online guitar school then you can get instant access to the guitar lessons here. If you haven’t yet joined and want to learn more then head along to the Martin Taylor Guitar School here.

In the meantime click on the video below to see how it all works.

Jan 12 Natick, MA, Natick Center for the Performing Arts
13 Norfolk, Connecticut, Infinity Hall
16 New York, NY, Highline Ballroom
17 Vienna, Virginia, Wolftrap Barns
19 Owings Mills, Maryland, Gordon Center
20 Philadelphia, PA, Calvary Center
22 Carlsbad, California, Museum of Making Music
23 Livermore, California, Livermore Valley PAC
24 Napa, California, Napa Opera House
25 Folsham, California, Three Stages at Folsham Lake
26 San Francisco, CA, Bravo Theater
27 Phoenix, Arizona, Musical Instrument Museum Theater
Feb 3 Mount Vernon, WA, Lincoln Theater
6 Edmonds, WA, Edmonds center for the Performing Arts
7 Sandpoint, Idaho, Panida Theater
8 Whitefish, Montana, Whitefish Theater
9 Hamilton, Montana, Hamilton Performing Arts Center
10 Bozeman, Montana, Ellen Theater
13 Ann Arbor, Michigan, The Ark
15 Pittsburg, PA, Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
17 Buffalo, New York, St Joseph’s Collegiate Institute
20 Minneapolis, MN, Dakota Jazz Club
22 Goffstown, New Hampshire, Dana Center
23 Pittsfield, MA, The Colonial Center

I’m thankful I stuck with playing the music I truly believed in and didn’t get sucked in by the shallowness of the mainstream music industry and the pursuit of wealth.

I’m very thankful for meeting my wife when we were both 16, and thankful she didn’t have a well paid job to support my musical self-indulgences.

I’m unbelievably thankful for our two sons, James and Stewart, who have made Liz and I so proud. James is a remarkable young man making a great life for himself in California, and I’m thankful that I was able to be Stewart’s father for the 21 years that he was on this earth with us.

I’m thankful that there are enough people in the world that like my music enough that I’ve never had to take a day job or become a musician that can only survive of grants, subsidies and bullshit.

I’m thankful that the hard times of the past make me appreciate the very comfortable and privileged life I now enjoy with my family and friends.

For the first time ever, guitar titans Martin Taylor and Frank Vignola got together in Dawg Studios with mandolinist/producer and old friend David Grisman and his bassist son Samson to play some music and have a good old time. In one day-long session, this brand new quartet recorded the dozen tunes which comprise this collection.

The repertoire spans the great American songbook with showtunes, “Surrey With The Fringe On Top” from “Oklahoma,” ) standards from “Avalon” to “Poinciana,” as well as originals by Martin, (“Seraphina,”) Dawg (“Swang Thang”) and Lennon-McCartney ’s “Michelle.” The playing is relaxed and stellar and the HD recording is a sonic delight. You can hear the album and buy it here.

The award presentation, took place at the end of his solo set, to a standing ovation from the packed house at the Queen’s Hall, Newtonards, Northern Ireland, and to the surprise of Martin.

“I was totally stunned to receive this award, I didn’t know anything about it” said Martin “So many great players have been recipients in past years, and I feel so honored to join them and be part of this wonderful guitar festival”

Past recipients of the Ards International Guitar Festival Lifetime Achievement Award…

1999 Norman Watson
2000 Davey Graham
2001 Henry McCullough
2002 John Renbourn
2003 Louis Stewart
2004 John Martyn
2005 Arty McGlynn
2006 Martin Simpson
2007 Eric Bell
2008 Gordon Giltrap
2009 Pat McManus
2010 Gerry Donahue
2011 Carlos Bonell

The tour will see both guitarists playing together and separately. The tour is also the name of Emmanuel and Taylor’s collaborative acoustic guitar album scheduled for February 2013 release.

The 16-date UK tour starts Thursday 7th March at the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury. Tickets are on sale from the 24 hour box office 0844 478 0898 and www.thegigcartel.com.

While they are both serious “men of letters” with Tommy Emmanuel being an honorary Kentucky Colonel, a CGP (Certified Guitar Player), an Order of Australia Medalist (AM) and the holder of an honorary masters (MA) and Martin Taylor being an M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire) and holder of two Honourary Doctorates, they honour each other affectionately with these titles. Both acoustic guitarists are leaders of music in their respective countries – Australia and the UK. Call it a British Commonwealth thing!

Known for his complex finger-picking style, Tommy Emmanuel is an Australian guitarist who performs energetic concerts, and is highly regarded for the use of percussive effects on the guitar. In 2008 and 2010, Guitar Player Magazine’s Readers Poll voted him Best Acoustic Guitarist.

Martin Taylor is a multi-award winning guitarist and Acoustic Guitar magazine calls him, “the acoustic guitarist of his generation.” He dazzles audiences with his solo shows, which combine virtuosity, emotion, humour, and a strong stage presence while his inimitable style has seen him recognised as the world’s foremost exponent of solo finger style guitar playing. Taylor has invented and developed a way of playing the guitar that is admired, and often imitated, by guitarists all over the world.

Collaborations with artists including Jeff Beck, Bill Wyman, Jamie Cullum, David Grisman and Bryn Terfel have seen him garner two honorary doctorates, a BBC lifetime achievement award, Top 10 albums in both the USA and Europe, a record 14 British Jazz Awards and in 2002 he was appointed MBE ‘For Services to Jazz Music’ by Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain.

As one of the world’s most recognized online guitar teachers his innovative online guitar school with its headquarters in Napa, CA has been featured on NPR, BBC, Fox News and the LA Times. Students in over 58 countries subscribe to the school for online guitar lessons.

2012 saw the London premiere of Martin Taylor’s ‘Spirit of Django’ orchestral Suite at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms.

“Martin Taylor is one of the most awesome solo guitar players in the history of the instrument. He’s unbelievable.”
- Pat Metheny

“No matter how complex or daring, Taylor’s interpretations never short change the melodies; indeed his remarkable fluid touch embues a seamless beauty. Martin Taylor is something to behold.”
- The Washington Post

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

Tommy and his brother Phil performed at Sydney’s closing ceremony at the Summer Olympics in 2000. The event was televised worldwide to an estimated 2.85 billion viewers.

Tommy has said that even at a young age he was fascinated by Atkins’ musical style of playing bass with the thumb and melody parts with the first two or three fingers at the same time. This technique became the basis of Tommy’s guitar style.
While Tommy has never had formal music training, his playing ability has won him fans from all over the world. He is known to play percussion parts on the body of his guitar. As a solo performer he never plays to a set list and uses a minimum of effects. He usually completes recordings in one take.

“Tommy Emmanuel’s steel-string fretwork
is technically dazzling and atmospheric.”
- Chicago Tribune

Emmanuel frequently uses his left thumb to fret bass notes on the 5th and 6th strings as well as playing chords such as Am and E with just two fingers. He uses a thumb pick mostly, a flat pick or just fingers.

His main guitar is a small-bodied custom Maton EBG808 that is fitted with a pickup and an internal condenser microphone, to which he has given the nickname “Mouse” due to its quieter volume unplugged but massive sound when plugged into an amp. Two of his three main stage guitars, notably his signature TE1 Maton dreadnought, are battered and worn from his excessive playing and percussive techniques on them. He once stated that all three of his stage guitars have been broken and repaired numerous times over the years.

As a young man in Australia, Tommy wrote to his hero Chet Atkins in Nashville. Eventually Atkins replied with words of encouragement and a longstanding invitation to drop by to visit.

In 1997, Emmanuel and Atkins recorded as a duo and released the album The Day Finger Pickers Took over the World, which was also to be Atkins’ last recorded album before he died in 2001. In 1998, a year after the album was released it won Best Country Instrumental Album at the Nashville Music Awards.

“Blessed with impeccable taste and exceptional technique,
he’s able to perform folk, rock, jazz, country and blues
with fluid ease and impressive authority.”
- San Diego Union Tribune
In July 1999, at the 15th Annual Chet Atkins Appreciate Society Convention, Chet presented Tommy with a Certified Guitar Player award, an honor Atkins has bestowed on other guitarists. This award gains its fame from being bestowed by Atkins himself, a widely recognized leader in guitar music. The award states: “In Recognition of his Contributions to the Art of Fingerpicking.” Tommy performs at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society in July each year in Nashville.

“Tommy is about the only guitarist I’ve heard,” said Chet Atkins, “who can come close to what Lenny Breau did with harmonics, and he’s got a style all his own. I think he’s probably the greatest finger-picker in the world today. He’s inventive, fearless and has a flawless sense of rhythm. He’s a great showman, too.”

Emmanuel’s duet with Chet Atkins, Smokey Mountain Lullaby, was nominated for the 1998 Grammy award for Country Instrumental Performance. In 2006, Emmanuel received his second Grammy award nomination for Best Country Instrumental Performance for Gameshow Rag.

Tommy Emmanuel’s last album Little By Little was released in 2010. The deluxe 2xCD set features special guests Pam Rose, John Knowles cgp, Victor Wooten, Doyle Dykes and many more. The album is available to purchase fromwww.tommyemmanuel.com.

24 Hour Box Office: 0844 478 0898
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
www.tommyemmanuel.com
www.martintaylor.com

Thursday 7th March
Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre
Tickets: £22 / Box Office 0844 871 7607
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.atgtickets.com/venues/aylesbury-waterside-theatre
Exchange Street, Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG

Friday 8th March
Gateshead, The Sage
Tickets: £20 / Box Office 0191 443 4661
http://thesagegateshead.org
St Mary’s Square, Gateshead Quays,
Gateshead, NE8 2JR

Saturday 9th March
Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0161 907 9000
www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk
Lower Mosley Street,
Manchester, M2 3WS

Sunday 10th March
Wolverhampton, Robin 2
Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0190 240 1211
www.therobin.co.uk
26-28 Mount Pleasant, Bilston,
Wolverhampton, WV14 7LJ

Tuesday 12th March
Barnstaple, Queen’s Theatre
Tickets: £21 / Box Office: 0127 132 4242
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.northdevontheatres.org.uk
Boutport Street, Barnstaple,
North Devon, EX31 1SY

Wednesday 13th March
Exeter, Corn Exchange
Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0139 266 5938
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange
Market Street, Exeter, EX1 1BW

Thursday 14th March
Bristol, Colston Hall
Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0117 922 3686
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.colstonhall.org
Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR

Saturday 16th March
London o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 0844 477 2000
Stage Time: 7pm
www.o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk
Shepherd’s Bush Green,
London, W12 8TT

Sunday 17th March
Folkestone, Leas Cliffe Hall
Tickets: £21 / Box Office: 0844 847 1776
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.atgtickets.com/venues/leas-cliff-hall
The Leas, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2DZ

Monday 18th March
Crawley, Hawth Theatre
Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0129 355 3636
Stage Time: 7:30pm
https://tickets.hawth.co.uk
Hawth Avenue, Crawley, RH10 6YZ

Wednesday 20th March
Ipswich, Corn Exchange
Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 01473 433 100
Stage: 7:30pm
https://apps.ipswich.gov.uk/PEO
King Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1DH

Thursday 21st March
Chesterfield, Winding Wheel
Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0124 634 5334
Stage Time: 7:30pm
Email: box.office@chesterfield.gov.uk
www.windingwheel.co.uk
13 Holywell Street, Chesterfield,
Derbyshire, S41 7SA

Friday 22nd March
Halifax, Victoria Theatre
Tickets: £21 / Box Office: 0142 235 1158
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.calderdale.gov.uk/victoria
2 Fountain Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 1BP

Sunday 24th March
Ulverston, Coronation Hall
Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0122 958 7140
Email: ulverstontic@southlakeland.gov.uk
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.corohall.co.uk
Coronation Hall, County Square, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7LZ

Tuesday 26th March
Aberdeen, Lemon Tree
Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 01224 641 122
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.boxofficeaberdeen.com/venues/the-lemon-tree
5 West North Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5AT

Thursday 28th March
Edinburgh, Queen’s Hall
Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 0131 668 2019
Stage Time: 7:30pm
www.thequeenshall.net
85-89 Clerk Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9JG