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Tommy Emmanuel, known by many as one the finest guitarists on the planet, joins award-winning harp-guitarist Muriel Anderson, a Downers Grove native, for her annual Saturday-After-Thanksgiving concert, livestreamed for the first time ever.
Everyone gets a front-row seat to the world-class acoustic music, including interaction with the two artists, a news release stated. The festivities will be topped off with a chance to win a new guitar and the Anderson family’s traditional homemade goodies.
The show begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at murielanderson.com/DG.
Tickets cost $25 for the "full experience" ticket that includes a half pound of fudge; discount tickets cost $17 without fudge. They are available at Anderson's Bookshop or Tobias Music in Downers Grove or online at murielanderson.com/DG.
Fun stuff
Downers Grove natives have been enjoying delicious homemade treats at intermission for the 29 years Anderson has been giving the concert. To continue the tradition, the full experience tickets include a half pound of homemade fudge from her aunt and uncle’s shop. In addition, each ticket includes a chance to win a new Washburn acoustic guitar courtesy of Tobias Music, to be mailed to the winner.
It will be co-hosted by the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, and Anderson and Emmanuel will appear remotely from Nashville. A portion of proceeds go to The Music for Life Alliance charity, which she founded to support music education for young people who may not otherwise have the opportunity.
The music
Emmanuel and Anderson will play both solos and duets. She will debut some new tunes and also will play songs she wrote for her "Acoustic Chef" cookbook and CD (murielanderson.com/cookbook).
"Tommy's musical spontaneity is contagious, there's no telling what he'll play for this concert. Expect to have your spirits lifted," the release stated (tommyemmanuel.com).
“I’m so excited that my favorite guitarist, Tommy Emmanuel, will be joining me for this concert, and that you’ll get to have the ‘Tommy experience.’ His music extends deep into the soul, and he has inspired musicians around the world with his unique energy,” Anderson said in the release.
About Tommy Emmanuel
The release calls his playing "simply miraculous, not only because it would take three or more musicians to do what Tommy does solo, but also the exciting energy and a depth of spirit you can positively feel. This Grammy-nominated musician comes to the guitar like a vocalist, singing melodies through the strings, delivering every nuance and turn of phrase. His music, coming from a genuine and joyful source, is an experience not to miss."
About Muriel Anderson
“Just one hell of a great player,” Les Paul stated.
“Muriel Anderson is a good friend and a great guitarist,” Chet Atkins stated.
Anderson is one of the foremost fingerstyle and harp-guitarists, engaging audiences with joy, humor and a personal touch. Her unique compositions and approach to the instrument across genres of folk, classical, bluegrass, popular and international music appeal to music lovers worldwide. Anderson is the first woman to have won the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. One of her CDs, "Nightlight Daylight," was chosen as one of the top 10 CDs of the decade by Guitar Player Magazine, and her “Heartstrings” recording accompanied the astronauts on the space shuttle Discovery. Her current release, "Acoustic Chef,” is a CD of music from around the world with recipes and stories to go with each tune.
Her new TrueFire Channel brings her in-demand teaching to a wider audience. She is host of the renowned Muriel Anderson’s All Star Guitar Night and founder of The Music for Life Alliance. It gives grants and fundraising support for nonprofit organizations that provide instruments and/or lessons to kids who might not otherwise experience the joy of playing music.