I met Tommy Emmanuel backstage. I couldn't believe what happened next!

This concert was at Tarrytown Music Hall on 12/12/2021. Song is Buster Groovin by Buster B Jones. Thanks to my teacher, Brooks Robertson for teaching me this never recorded Buster B Jones Song! It was an honor to play it for Tommy and the crowd that night. An experience I will never forget!
If you've never been to a Tommy concert... you're missing out! His show is incredible and his team are the nicest people. Thanks to all of you for helping make this night possible.

[@brackinsteve]

Invited you to play on stage before he even knew your name . That’s so cool!

[@fairfieldmethodist6682]

This makes me so happy. I've chatted with Tommy many times over many years. He's a man of habitual generosity. I have seen it happen in ways that will never be public. Great job, Ari.

[@tlcode]

He is a flaming gigantic kind LEGEND!!

[@michaelboyce7079]

Like Tommy, I'm an Aussie and I have to confess that some of his on-stage personae used to irritate me sometimes. Then I stumbled across a video of him back stage, after a show, with his fans. Some of them had brought along their musical instruments and I was knocked out by seeing Tommy tune them, repair them, show the fans little tricks and tips to help their playing - in fact nothing seemed to be too much trouble for him. His patience and enthusiasm was endless. Needless to say, my opinion of the man is very different now!

[@atrothe]

same thing for me.

[@bcgeetar9233]

Great job Ari! You played flawlessly even under the unexpected circumstances. Congrats!

[@ari_ettinger]

Thanks so much!!

[@oliverjocher2999]

Thank you Tommy for so generously giving Ari 5 minutes of your time.

[@mikehendry34]

The classiest and most generous of musicians and just a totally decent human being. And nice bit of picking as well Ari 👏

[@restorationconcrete]

Ari Emmanuel! Outstanding. Close your eyes and it’s hard to tell it’s not Tommy playing. Kid is phenomenal!

[@ari_ettinger]

Awesome compliment. Thank you!

[@GabK7]

That's a pretty nice performance, Tommy is such a gentleman to give you this opportunity, I'm sure you deserve it. Congrats from Quebec Canada! :)

[@daniellawrence4884]

Thanks for helping to keep Buster B’s music alive! Incredible job.

[@LearningandLife]

Kids used to follow Buster around. Its great to hear people playing his music ❤

[@kerryburns6041]

I can see a touch of Earl Scruggs´ fingerstyle in Ary´s playing, and some of Earl´s sincere generosity in Tommy´s kindness.

[@brenttauscheck8147]

Tommy is an absolute gentleman and a great great guy. So humble

[@JBDebtFree]

Way to go Ari. Sounded great! Tommy is very gracious. Memory of a life time!

[@tntkop]

What an opportunity! Great job young man!

[@stevenarndt8072]

Wow, great job, and Tommy thanks for encouraging this talented young player.

[@yiddisheideas]

Amazing!! Ari so talented and Tommy so humble. Everything in this clip is simply wonderful and fantastic!

[@carsonbarnes4540]

You sir are one of the best around. God Bless...

[@ari_ettinger]

Thank you!

[@robertway5756]

Kids got a cool style. Reminiscent of Davey Graham, plus a little Django. Bravo!!!!!!

[@ShloimyZaltzman]

Ari your going places !

[@johannamit4388]

Awesome playing Ari. I guess you have been listening and learning to play like Maestro Tommy. Keep it up young man.👋

[@skygh]

High honors! Great picking

[@medfordJimmy]

So authentic and just beautifully done. Rare. One of a kind.

[@teamcongelator]

Mr Tommy is so awesome, so natural, and what a gift to you :) Amazing, but also, you Rocked it, congratulations !

[@craigkaschan4822]

Well done Ari you’re awesome mate. Tommy is a great bloke. Greetings from Australia mate. 🇦🇺👍.

[@realcygnus]

Already playing world class stuff spectacularly like the living legend himself. 👍

[@benclaase8181]

Great playing Ari and such an honor to meet and play for the man the legend mr. Tommy E. He’s such a genuine person , always love listening to him. Keep up the good work. 👍🏼 🎶

[@byensbutler]

Tommy is such a nice person

[@ianenglish123]

Tommy is a guitar legend. I remember seeing him and his brother busking in Central station underground in 1976. He was great then.

[@ulftornert2855]

Wow!!! To both of you!!!

[@Dj__Sol]

That's unreal! What an opportunity!

[@rayrayray4116]

It just doesn’t get any better! Congratulations Ari!!!

[@ari_ettinger]

Thanks!

[@IronInforcersecond]

What an incredible experience that must've been. Great playing!

[@ari_ettinger]

It was!

[@Mo-bi5jg]

youre cousin recomended youre channel to me and i am SO impressed!!!! you really are incredible!!!!!

[@ari_ettinger]

Thank you so much!!

[@lordlomanagh5966]

Beautiful player blessed be ari

[@catch22again]

What a lovely gesture but he did deserve it as he plays brilliantly. What an experience to tell your kids !

[@robinburkey2466]

That's a great young picket and Tommy is such a gracious and encouraging man! It really touched my heart

[@lemurcreemur8905]

Congrats, can’t wait till u go on tour!

[@SergeUnplugged]

Congrats, lifetime experience indeed 🔥

[@6figureincomesecrets175]

Tommy is a wonderful man and guitar player. Ari, you did excellent. What a cool experience.

[@TheDarinAmes]

Ari, that’s just amazing! Congrats! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and playing with Tommy a couple of times and I can only imagine how thrilling it must have been to have him invite you to share the stage. Best of luck to you!

[@ari_ettinger]

Thanks so much!!

[@flametiger74]

That's amazing!!!

[@World-as-i-c-it]

So cool, good job young man. Tommy is truly one of kind, so giving to other musicians!

[@stephenwalton8507]

Saw him in Calgary not long ago. What a guy and what a picker. Sat in the choir loft behind the stage and had a different view than I'm used to.

[@the_game]

Tommy! Wow, what a wonderful and humble man. 💗

[@paalvk]

Wow, amazing! Loved the song, and loved the story behind it. :)

[@globalonemusic2381]

Ari: We just found this tonight. VERY nice job with this. :) Do not quit playing ! :) Antoine

[@atrothe]

This kid can play.

[@allansayers7842]

congratulations

[@DjNikGnashers]

Wow ! TE is as we all know, a true passionate musician, and one of the worlds best players. But this gesture was fantastic and an opportunity for you to get your face and skills known world wide. You played flawlessly, well done.

[@ari_ettinger]

Wow, thank you!

[@puppetlady1]

Congrats to you, Ari.

[@shaunfogarty5744]

Yeah, and subscribed. Very very tasteful playing on a great little ditty!-

[@qrebel6006]

SOUNDS SO GOOD !

[@JMTBFLOW]

Well done, mate! 🙌

[@jacobsolomon427]

Awesome!

[@arikshahar6554]

Amazing 👏 🔥🎸

[@FloydTheWolf]

Well deserved spotlight! You did a great job at playing in front of Tommy and his audience. Next step is a collaboration with Tommy on his Accomplice series! :)

[@douglasdegraff8335]

Way to go Ari!!! Superb.

[@richardlepoivre1721]

tommy est un grand monsieur bravo

[@steveg219]

This is great!!

[@ClassicVibes_69]

Wow, that’s one of those moment in life never to forget. Amazing and very well played. New subscriber. All best from Netherlands, Michael

[@ari_ettinger]

Thanks for the sub! Yes, it is a night I will always remember

[@rae0521]

I try not to get jealous of people with talent such as you clearly have, but I do! Congratulations!

[@claudioriffero7488]

Che meraviglia il viaggio dell'arte da una generazione all'altra! Bravissimi e complimenti ancora.

[@zevyzions]

Terrific!

[@georgelevine7687]

You are among the greats Ari, I’ve watched your video like 20 times. Looking forward to more stuff from you

[@ari_ettinger]

Wow, thank you! I'm trying to get a video out once a week (not so easy to do with my school schedule). Please subscribe!

[@shimonhoffman4670]

I’m starting an Ari Ettinger fan club. I’ve been following Tommy for years and to see a frum kid getting it done thrilled me.

[@ari_ettinger]

Sounds great! Help me spread the music!

[@shimonhoffman4670]

@@ari_ettinger I will. I play your style. Struggling to learn the Katz piece Genius I need to meet you at some point.

[@paullb2440]

Wow nice playing Ari especially as unexpected public performance. New subscriber :-)

[@wimdenherder]

Super performance ari!!

[@zalenewman1126]

ari ius a phenomenal young talent. Great that Tommy recognized this and gave him this shot.

[@keithgeorge2541]

Great groove! Great tune, played magnificently! And TE loved it! Just subbed and gave this a thumbs up!

[@ari_ettinger]

Much appreciated!

[@kleback6660]

WOAH good stuff man

[@chrisgrech3564]

Top Job!!!

[@HeyIamHunter]

Brooks is an awesome teacher and a very chill dude. Not surprised to see you playing all good like him. I had him as a sub at Berklee for a few weeks and it was great. Keep pickin and grinnin bro

[@ari_ettinger]

For sure! Brooks is a great teacher (and a great guy!). I learned so much from him

[@jamesa.rodriguez8598]

Bravo!

[@drmartinyoung3761]

Very well done. ‘Success is preparing meeting opportunity’ - and you made it happen!

[@ari_ettinger]

Absolutely!

[@jhaylward]

Well done man! … got my tickets for Tommy’s show next week in Netherlands, can’t wait 🤟

[@ari_ettinger]

Awesome! Tommy's shows are simply amazing. Enjoy!

[@shaunfogarty5744]

SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@adamweston4152]

I found this video in my recommendations and I have no idea who Tommy is and you are new to me too and I am a poor guitar player but this video of your incredible playing inspires me to keep on practicing so thank you for this, I'm subbing to your channel too, much love and appreciation from Wales UK 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿.

[@ari_ettinger]

Welcome aboard! So cool to inspire other guitarists!!

[@TheQuesoJC]

great!

[@lylestavast7652]

Well done young man !

[@ari_ettinger]

Thank you!

[@RolandN]

I would have been a nervous wreck! Really well done.

[@ari_ettinger]

I was a nervous wreck! But what an amazing experience!

[@keithfitzgerald876]

Nice ... I'm glad I saw Tommy several times at the beginning of this millennium in Southern California, South Korea, and Thailand, before he started charging people to meet him backstage.

[@jerrylanglois7892]

This kid is on his way !

[@RadSergey1987]

Дааа классно! Молодец😀😀😀

[@James-hl7df]

Amazing. Talented.

[@ari_ettinger]

Thank you very much!

[@zjokka]

Just coming up with a Buster B Jones tune that Tommy didn't even know shows me you're an absolute freak and deserving of my subscription.

[@ari_ettinger]

Just a regular teen who play guitar...a lot!

[@colebrian6]

❤

[@coryCuc]

That look at 2:07 lol. Like..."is this really happening??" lol.

[@lylestavast7652]

Lovely signature there Tommy E. ! Old school cursive one can actually READ...

[@lbvfdbrf]

Просто шикарно!!! Это было потрясающе!!! Привет из России! 🤝

[@TheGuitar1232]

לא יודע איך קפצת לי ביוטיוב (כנראה בגלל שאנחנו עם אותו שם משפחה ואוהבים את טומי) אתה גיטריסט מדהים! כל הכבוד!!

[@hanswurst8223]

wow!

[@chriscollins687]

Wow. Tommy Emmanuel is an incredible human being. 👏👏👏

[@ari_ettinger]

Indeed he is

[@cwsgershwin]

Just fantastic. What a wonderful expereince. Great playing! Could you share the settings Tommy adjusted on your AP5 Pro? Your playing was fantastic, and the sound was too.

[@andreatemkin5890]

Let’s hear it for the guitar teacher!

[@ari_ettinger]

Absolutely! I've had a few but Brooks Robertson is amazing.

[@alvisserrano9797]

Wow Tommy is so bad assss

[@larrysmith1568]

Tommy is the greatest.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

That must have been a thrill.

[@Tdyygdd]

Nice job ! great playing ! Do you remember which settings Tommy has made on your AP5-Pro to have this tune ?

[@svbarr]

Lawd have mercy cool seeing youngsters grooving on Bluegrass-ish virtuoso stuff....

[@kevinkantell7381]

Ari🎯