Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel is now Dr. Tommy Emmanuel after receiving a doctorate from Charles Sturt University this week.
Dr Tommy Emmanuel received his honorary Doctor of Arts at the University in Sydney on Wednesday. Tommy received the honour in recognition of his commitment to rural Australia and his contribution to music education.
“Born and raised in the University’s footprint, Tommy Emmanuel is one of Australia’s most respected musicians,” Professor Vann said. “With a professional career spanning five decades, Tommy has always maintained a strong connection to rural and regional communities including significant interaction with Indigenous Australians.
“Tommy is also one of the most prodigious music educators in the world, meeting with both amateur and professional musicians at every show and location when he travels, often giving hours of his time to teaching and collaboration.
Professor Vann said Dr Emmanuel is a role-model for all Australians. “Mr Emmanuel is a musician, teacher and a living representation of Charles Sturt University’s vision of regionality being no hindrance to both national and international excellence,” he added.
Dr Tommy Emmanuel AM was born in 1955 in Muswellbrook, New South Wales. He received his Order of Australia (AM) in 2010. Tommy started playing guitar at age 4 and by the age of 6 was a working professional musician.
Tommy has played with Eric Clapton, George Martin, John Denver and Chet Atkins. Tommy has recorded 20 albums including the 1995 ‘Terra Firma’ album with his brother Phil.
In 1998, ‘Smokey Mountain Lullaby’, his duet with Chet Atkins, was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 2007, he was once again nominated for a Grammy for ‘Best Country Instrumental Performance’.
