I've read about Tommy Emmanuel but not familiar with his music though. I need to check him out.
The thing with Chet Atkins, beyond his technical playing ability, is his ability to make the guitar communicate. When I listen to him versus other similar pickers/players, it just seems more musical in accordance with the thread topic. He also has an uncanny ability to make the notes he is playing extra special as a regular part of what he does. His success as a music producer is undoubtedly related to this aspect of his talents as well. He was also an exceptional human being and a great role model for all by all accounts and based on my recollections.