Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)

Subject: Obit: RIP Tony Rice
From: Ebbie
Date: 26 Dec 20 - 07:35 PM

The eras keep passing.... On Facebook they are saying that Tony Rice died yesterday morning. There is a moving tribute to him written by Ricky Skaggs.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice
From: GUEST,bbc
Date: 26 Dec 20 - 07:58 PM

https://www.facebook.com/rickyskaggsofficial/posts/4149435951752348

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Link content added by mudelf

Sometime during Christmas morning while making his coffee, our dear friend and guitar hero Tony Rice passed from this life and made his swift journey to his heavenly home. It’s still quite a shock to the whole family. After talking with Tony’s wife Pam and their daughter India, they asked if I would make a statement on their behalf and give them some privacy to process during this difficult time. I was honored to help out. Tony is also survived by his brothers Wyatt and Ronnie, and all of you who loved his music and those who will continue to share it with others.

Tony Rice was the single most influential acoustic guitar player in the last 50 years. Many if not all of the Bluegrass guitar players of today would say that they cut their teeth on Tony Rice’s music. He loved hearing the next generation players play his licks. I think that’s where he got most of his joy as a player. With many IBMA Awards and a Grammy Award, Tony was a gracious recipient of the International Bluegrass Music Award’s highest honor as an inductee into their Hall Of Fame in 2013.

Not only was Tony a brilliant guitar player but he was also one of the most stylistic lead vocalist in Bluegrass music history. When I joined the group The New South in 1974, I knew I’d found a singing soul mate with Tony. Our voices blended like brothers. In 1980 we recorded the album “Skaggs And Rice” for Sugar Hill as a tribute to our duet hero’s with just the simplicity of guitar, mandolin, and our voices. All these years later people tell me how much the purity of that record still touches their heart. That’s who Tony was, a singer from the heart.

I will miss him as I’m sure all of you will. But where Tony is right now, he’s not missing us. He’s in the place that God has prepared for those who love Him and receive Him. Rest In Peace dear brother. Thank you for your great talent and the music that will continue to inspire more and more generations to come.

- Ricky Skaggs

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: RIP Tony Rice
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Dec 20 - 09:20 PM

I saw him in 1972 at the 2nd Winfield festival with Doc Watson, Norman Blake and Dan Crary. He was only 21 then. It was exhilarating watching/hearing those 4 together doing classic flat-picking. I guess 48_ years is not a bad career... but not enough for his caliber.

RIP

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: RIP Tony Rice
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 26 Dec 20 - 09:43 PM

Sad, sad news. RIP Tony.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: RIP Tony Rice
From: Stewie
Date: 26 Dec 20 - 09:44 PM

Sad news. He was a fine singer and guitarist. His all-too-short album with Ricky Skaggs, 'Skaggs and Rice', will remain one of the finest collections of old-time music.

Talk about suffering

The soul of man never dies

Rest easy, Tony.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: RIP Tony Rice
From: GUEST,LarryTheRadioGuy
Date: 26 Dec 20 - 10:02 PM

It was always hard to know where to file his records. My copy of The Tony Rice Unit: Backwaters is in 'jazz'. California Autumn (on Rebel records) is in bluegrass. An amazingly versatile musician and a tasteful guitarist and singer.   He will be missed.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: RIP Tony Rice
From: Mike in Brunswick
Date: 26 Dec 20 - 10:48 PM

His version of Hamilton Camp's Pride of Man, on the Church Street Blues album, is on my all time favorites short list.

Mike

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: gillymor
Date: 27 Dec 20 - 05:47 AM

Good point about TR's versatility, Larry, and you could probably call Native American and Me and My Guitar something like modern folk. The man did everything he undertook at such a high level, we won't see his kind again.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: gillymor
Date: 27 Dec 20 - 06:07 AM

From Bluegrass Today-

Tony Rice Passes

Subject: Obit: 2020 Obit: Tony Rice, bluegrass musician
From: Tony Rees
Date: 27 Dec 20 - 01:40 PM

Sad to report that Tony Rice, Bluegrass guitarist extraordinaire and singer of great talent and influence, passed away - apparently unexpectedly - on Christmas Day at the early age of 69. RIP Tony, a true hero of mine. Tribute below from long time collaborator Ricky Skaggs via FaceBook:
----------------
Sometime during Christmas morning while making his coffee, our dear friend and guitar hero Tony Rice passed from this life and made his swift journey to his heavenly home. It’s still quite a shock to the whole family. After talking with Tony’s wife Pam and their daughter India, they asked if I would make a statement on their behalf and give them some privacy to process during this difficult time. I was honored to help out. Tony is also survived by his brothers Wyatt and Ronnie, and all of you who loved his music and those who will continue to share it with others.
Tony Rice was the single most influential acoustic guitar player in the last 50 years. Many if not all of the Bluegrass guitar players of today would say that they cut their teeth on Tony Rice’s music. He loved hearing the next generation players play his licks. I think that’s where he got most of his joy as a player. With many IBMA Awards and a Grammy Award, Tony was a gracious recipient of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s highest honor as an inductee into their Hall of Fame in 2013.

Not only was Tony a brilliant guitar player but he was also one of the most stylistic lead vocalists in Bluegrass music history. When I joined the group The New South in 1974, I knew I’d found a singing soul mate with Tony. Our voices blended like brothers. In 1980, we recorded the album 'Skaggs And Rice' for Sugar Hill as a tribute to our duet heroes with just the simplicity of guitar, mandolin, and our voices. All these years later people tell me how much the purity of that record still touches their heart. That’s who Tony was, a singer from the heart.

I will miss him as I’m sure all of you will. But where Tony is right now, he’s not missing us. He’s in the place that God has prepared for those who love Him and receive Him. Rest In Peace dear brother. Thank you for your great talent and the music that will continue to inspire more and more generations to come.

- Ricky Skaggs

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 27 Dec 20 - 02:48 PM

It’s often said of the recently departed but Tony was one of the true greats. Anyone who hasn’t heard him would be best advised to have a listen.

I was first introduced to his playing by another of the the true greats, the late Bill Keith. Tony, inter alia, appeared on Bills record “Something Old, Something Newgrass, Something Borrowed, Something Bluegrass”. One listen and I was hooked. This recording brought together the likes of Tony, David Grisman and Jerry Douglas and became the starting point of a major section of my record collection. If you’re wondering where to start with Tony’s records, I’d recommend “Manzanita”.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: voyager
Date: 28 Dec 20 - 02:42 PM

Tony Rice w/ JD Crowe and New South (1975)- Crowe, Rice, Skaggs, Douglas, Stone

the greatest guitarist of a generation passes on.
thank you for a life in music Tony Rice

voyager

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 29 Dec 20 - 01:07 PM

Something wrong with the link posted above for Tony with JD Crowe and the New South - try this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc1uftpDRYE

Young Tony (age just 23), younger Ricky Skaggs (age 20), even younger Jerry Douglas (age 19...)

Prior to this, Tony played in Bluegrass Alliance with Sam Bush and others, I am told, 1970-1971 or so, but not sure if he appeared on any of their albums (others can assist here no doubt)

Cheers - Tony Rees (no relation!!)

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: voyager
Date: 29 Dec 20 - 01:19 PM

thanks Tom.
I fat-fingered the 'blue clicky thing' on my post.
Great early video of JD, Tony, Ricky and the band.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 29 Dec 20 - 02:36 PM

The link I posted was to the audio of the Rounder album - not sure what video you intended ... there are a small number of this lineup on youtube, e.g. Beaumont Rag here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKsuIYn04To

- Tony

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: gillymor
Date: 29 Dec 20 - 03:30 PM

Here's a video of Blake and Rice that followed the New South (what a band) one on Youtube. I was lucky enough to see B&R together in Sarasota in a one-off concert, Tony wasn't singing then but it was a monster show with, believe or not, Dickie Betts guesting on "Rambling Man".


Blake and Rice

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: voyager
Date: 29 Dec 20 - 09:12 PM

great show gillymore (Tony and Norman) - that's what we're talking about.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 30 Dec 20 - 12:39 AM

The master in his prime: Mark O'Connor, Tony Rice, Bela Fleck - "Freeborn Man"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVl1ibykWZU

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: gillymor
Date: 30 Dec 20 - 08:55 AM

Yep, TR never had any problem recruiting world class players.
Among his many strengths was a way with Gordon Lightfoot songs.

Shadows

His recorded version of Early Morning Rain is some kind of masterpiece in my book. Same goes for Song For a Winter's Night.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: Felipa
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 12:38 PM

Tony Rice playing The Eighth of January aka Battle of New Orleans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfjEdukk2kI

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: gillymor
Date: 14 Jan 21 - 06:50 AM

Me and His Guitar
This is a replay of a live stream tribute to TR hosted by Bryan Sutton who talks with a number of artists. Here's the introductory remarks on Youtube:

A live stream event with Bryan Sutton and "some picker friends" sharing stories, perspectives, and songs to celebrate the legacy of Tony Rice. Special guests: Josh Williams, Tim Stafford, Chris Eldridge, Molly Tuttle, Billy Strings, David Grier, Tommy Emmanuel, Michael Daves, Jake Workman, Andy Falco, Dan Crary, Norman Blake, Dan Tyminski, Ron Block, Jon Stickley, Dave Bruzza, Jim Hurst, Kenny Smith, Cody Kilby, Trey Hensley, and more!

It's nearly 3 hours long. I found it fascinating.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: gillymor
Date: 05 Oct 21 - 04:15 PM

Tony Rice Tribute - Rockygrass 2021

Featuring a lot of Tony's collaborators, including Dawg Grisman and a few young ones, playing songs and tunes associated with Tony. This is so good I've watched it several times already. Run it through some decent speakers if you can.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: Brian May
Date: 07 Oct 21 - 08:18 AM

I hadn't realised Tony had slipped away.

RIP and thank you for the music.

I own a Martin D-28 because of your YouTube video of Norman Blake's song, Church Street Blues. Never heard it done better.

Ricky Scaggs tribute was well written.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: gillymor
Date: 01 Oct 23 - 07:38 AM

Interesting article by Punch Brothers guitarist Chris Eldridge who was lucky enough to be mentored by TR when he was starting out.

Variety

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Tony Rice (1951-2020)
From: gillymor
Date: 01 Oct 23 - 07:38 AM

Interesting article by Punch Brothers guitarist Chris Eldridge who was lucky enough to be mentored by TR when he was starting out.

Variety