Tony Rice dies

[killerleft]

Tony Rice, the great bluegrass guitarist (and vocalist), died suddenly on Christmas morning. He passed at home in Reidsville, NC while making coffee. He was 69.

Just heard this a couple hours ago. 2020 adds another cruelty.

Tony lost his voice to muscle-tension dysphonia in 1994. His masterful guitar playing was cut short in 2013 when tennis elbow took away his ability to perform to his own expectations. That many people consider him the most influential acoustic guitarist of the last 50 years is unquestioned. I was lucky enough to see him in person quite a few times. He was often surrounded by such acoustic masters as Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, and Doc Watson. The deference shown him spoke for itself.

Here's just one article written upon his passing, from Bluegrass Today:

https://bluegrasstoday.com/tony-rice-passes/

RIP, Tony.

[jimsumner]

Tony Rice, the great bluegrass guitarist (and vocalist), died suddenly on Christmas morning. He passed at home in Reidsville, NC while making coffee. He was 69.

Just heard this a couple hours ago. 2020 adds another cruelty.

Tony lost his voice to muscle-tension dysphonia in 1994. His masterful guitar playing was cut short in 2013 when tennis elbow took away his ability to perform to his own expectations. That many people consider him the most influential acoustic guitarist of the last 50 years is unquestioned. I was lucky enough to see him in person quite a few times. He was often surrounded by such acoustic masters as Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, and Doc Watson. The deference shown him spoke for itself.

Here's just one article written upon his passing, from Bluegrass Today:

https://bluegrasstoday.com/tony-rice-passes/

RIP, Tony.

I was just getting ready to post this.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/m...-obit-1107829/

I had the distinct pleasure of seeing him at Merle Fest a couple of times, after he had lost the ability to sing. Not just a superb musician but by all accounts a valued mentor and collaborator to several generations of roots musicians.

[killerleft]

I was just getting ready to post this.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/m...-obit-1107829/

I had the distinct pleasure of seeing him at Merle Fest a couple of times, after he had lost the ability to sing. Not just a superb musician but by all accounts a valued mentor and collaborator to several generations of roots musicians.

I never heard him sing live, either. I've learned today that Tony's straight tone singing style (without vibrato), puts much more stress on the vocal cords and throat than voices with vibrato (opera style).

[OldPhiKap]

From the infamous “Pizza Tapes” — Tony sitting in with Jerry Garcia and David Grisham @ Grisham’s house:

[duke74]

From what I’ve read, he was a big fan of my favorite, Gordon Lightfoot, and recorded a number of Gord’s songs.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony...rdon_Lightfoot

Check out his collaboration with Alison Krauss on “Shadows”. (Possibly my favorite song)

https://youtu.be/6KeHE9Yvx28

[killerleft]

From what I’ve read, he was a big fan of my favorite, Gordon Lightfoot, and recorded a number of Gord’s songs.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony...rdon_Lightfoot

Check out his collaboration with Alison Krauss on “Shadows”. (Possibly my favorite song)

https://youtu.be/6KeHE9Yvx28

I saw a Rice video earlier today where he says Gordon Lightfoot is his favorite songwriter. The video was several years old, if I'm remembering correctly.

[Jeffrey]

IMO, Tony was one of the all-time greatest musicians and music lovers. He was an expert on music, instruments, and equipment. I learned a lot from Tony and he will be greatly missed.

[coachbob]

Tony Rice Sings Gordon Lightfoot is one of my all time favorite albums.

[duke74]

Tony Rice Sings Gordon Lightfoot is one of my all time favorite albums.

Just played it...agree.

[OldPhiKap]

Tony Rice Sings Gordon Lightfoot is one of my all time favorite albums.

Absolutely agree!

I hope everyone in your orbit is doing well -- hope to get up there to see y'all soon!

[coachbob]

Doing well. Hope you are. Just retired this year! Still go to all the football games (when they play). Look me up next time you’re in Durham.

[OldPhiKap]

Doing well. Hope you are. Just retired this year! Still go to all the football games (when they play). Look me up next time you’re in Durham.

Will do, and congrats on your retirement. I'm hoping to be right behind you!

A picture of us together at the Peach-fil-A Bowl (with big halftime smiles) popped up on my phone the other day. I miss seeing peole.

[burnspbesq]

The first thing I played when I heard the news was “The New South.”

The second thing I played was ”The David Grisman Quintet.”

My college playing partner and I learned “Ginseng Sullivan” and “More Pretty Girls Than One” together.

Play “Devlin” and “Swing 51” at my funeral.