#111 – December 6, 2021

 

 

Hello!

These visits back to my time spent around Tommy Emmanuel may not be in order. I’m just writing them as I remember them. Having said that, this one picks up right before the last one finished.

Before leaving the concert (as written about in my last post, here) Tommy asked me if I was able to come to the Bendigo show the following night as I would be welcome. Apparently, my time with him was the rare kind when I didn’t make an idiot of myself. I told him I would love to but my wife (at the time) was away for a work thing and I was looking after my one-year-old. Expecting (or hoping for) a “no worries, maybe I’ll see you next time I’m back”, he said without any hesitation, “Bring him along, I’d love to meet the little fella! Soundcheck is at … what time is soundcheck? … Soundcheck is at 4 pm”. He gave me the details and I left, in a kind of shock. It was a dream meeting him in person once, but twice!

The following night, Tommy was the most gracious host and instantly became “Uncle Tommy” to my boy. Another lost photo is of him playing nursery rhymes for my son whilst he danced along. This was taking place 5 minutes before he went on stage.

Let this be a lesson to back up your photos! I’ve lost all but two shows I photographed for him and many precious moments in the great hard drive crash of 2008. 🙁

Many years later he was still asking about my son (by name) and was genuinely interested, even signing merch “Love from Uncle Tommy”.

As I had my son, I didn’t stay for the concert that night but it was amazing having that kind of access to Mr Emmanuel once again.

I ended up going to one more leg of the tour on Tuesday before he left for New Zealand. Again, soundcheck, dinner and an amazing concert (ticket courtesy of Gina).

I’d travelled 2 hours, 1 hour and 2 hours all to hang with Tommy Emmanuel.

It’s not the furthest I would travel.

Have a great day and I’ll see you in the next post.

Richard

 

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