Darke County Center for the Arts
Tommy Emmanuel opens DCCA Season 

Guitarist Tommy Emmanuel opens Darke County Center for the Arts 2012-2013 Artists Series season on Saturday, September 8 at Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall in Greenville; the concert starts at 8 p.m. An artist whose legendary guitar skills have filled big city venues many times the capacity of 632-seat Memorial Hall, Emmanuel counts among his many fans elite guitar players from all over the world, including guitar god Eric Clapton. However, according to DCCA Artistic Director Keith Rawlins, Emmanuel's appeal extends far beyond his fellow musicians. “Tommy's live shows, known for their humor, passion, and infectious joy as well as awesome playing, leave audiences energized and wanting more,” Mr. Rawlins stated. 

A native of Australia where he ranks as one of the continent's most revered musicians, Emmanuel is known for the inventiveness and speed of his playing, as well as for his astounding showmanship. According to Mr. Rawlins, Emmanuel's technical precision and masterful virtuosic improvisations enhance an unusually broad repertoire. “Tommy plays all styles of music – pop, blues, jazz, country, bluegrass, gospel, flamenco, classical, and even Australian aboriginal tunes – with incredible skill and flair, astounding audiences from Sydney to Nashville to Carnegie Hall and many spots in-between,” said Rawlins. 

Tommy Emmanuel, who has been a working professional musician since the age of six, has earned multiple awards in the U.S., including Guitar Player magazine's Guitar Legend award as well as two Grammy nominations. Throughout his career, he has played with many notable artists including Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Doc Watson, and Clapton, and counts the legendary Atkins as a beloved mentor. 

Second National Bank is sponsoring the performance by Tommy Emmanuel. Darke County Center for the Arts also receives financial support from Harry D. and Esther Stephens Memorial, Ketrow Foundation, and the Lydia E. Schaurer Memorial Trust Fund. Additionally, the Ohio Arts Council helps fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. This program is sponsored in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts 

Tickets for the Tommy Emmanuel concert are $25, and may be purchased online atwww.centerforarts.net or by contacting DCCA at 547-0908 or visiting the DCCA office on the third floor of Greenville Public Library.