To say Tommy Emmanuel found his musical match is like saying Daniel Day-Lewis got out-acted. Yeah, the maestro guitar fingerstyle master slinger had to join up with another fret-minded pal to mix it up. Emmanuel will be releasing a four-song EP Accomplice Series Vol. 2 featuring Richard Smith, out September 10 that features the two reworking beloved Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed songs.
“Richard and I both approached these recordings with a deep respect for our heroes. We added our own ideas but kept the authenticity of the original recordings present. We played these songs with much love and joy! Richard’s knowledge and abilities to channel Jerry Reed’s parts is what is most important to me, as I trusted him completely. When you stay close to Chet and Jerry’s parts, you can’t help but make great music, well written,” says Emmanuel.
Glide is premiering the song and video for “Nashtownville,” (below) which seems years ahead of its time, with its homage to Music City, a semi-recent mecca for musical dreams. Emmanuel and Smith play off each other seamlessly creating an enrapturing acoustic duet that sounds bigger than its parts. With his nimble fingers, Emmanuel continues to up the ante, playing one note towards the vintage groundbreakers and another in his own influential present- “Nashtownville” is no exception.
“Nashtownville” was originally written by Chet Atkins and this song version was recorded at TuneSmith Studio outside of Nashville, TN in the spring of 2021 The video was filmed at the Chet Atkins statue in downtown Nashville, TN on the corner of Fifth Avenue North and Union Street. It was directed by Joshua Britt and Neilson Hubbard for Neighborhoods Apart, and it features many special guests such as Mark Pritcher (from Chet Atkins Appreciation Society), Annie Sellick, Pat Bergeson, John Knowles, CGP, Stuie French, and a few more of Tommy and Richard’s friends. The police officer is played by Richard Smith’s wife, Julie Adams.
One Response
Excellent video that I really enjoyed with one exception. Julie taking the money puts a bad light on Nashville police. It makes them appear to be on the take, which they may or may not be. It would have been just as funny with her just running them off.