Bela Fleck--Freeborn Man--Tony Rice--All- Star Jam

banjo

[@susandoyle6551]

My nephew Tony Rice was the greatest guitar player in the world !!!

[@emryb]

He was my absolute favorite!

[@TylerOng-ii3iv]

I still pee the bed

[@badmuthahubbard]

Bela reinvented two great American traditions- the 5-string banjo and the mullet.

[@ApplegateA]

I'm convinced that bluegrass is the pinnacle of acoustic music.

[@maryhendrickson224]

+Austin Applegate oh heck YEAH!!!

[@MikeOBrienSDDeadHead]

AGREED!! I remember going to Telluride Bluegrass in '99 and my mind melting. I grew up, up the road from Red Rocks & had seen a ton and love live music. Then I found bluegrass. 5 guys, all acoustic, ripping and hitting every note!! UNREAL!!

[@MikeOBrienSDDeadHead]

I'll go one step furthur and say bluegrass is a pinnacle of MUSIC!! (~);}

[@bodford]

Tony only calls it "medium low" lol.

[@cathycrago2722]

It's the pinnacle of music period

[@tonyeads9142]

I realize there are people that can play and sing and they are truly gifted to do so but I have to state for the record, this is the greatest collective of musicians that may have ever been assembled. They started a style of Bluegrass that countless millions have attempted to copy... I being one of them. LOL. Thank God for these archives of footage to remind us that music is truly God's gift to us and some people were created simply to play and sing it! These guys are some of the best that will EVER be!

[@tonyeads9142]

Sean Rumney The video here must be evidence that this group of musicians would be hard to beat as a collective! Sam, Bela, Jerry, Mark, and Tony could each be considered one of the very best in the world on their specific instrument. It would be hard to find a group any more gifted and certainly impossible to find a collective that has influenced so many musicians in so many different genre's of music than these guys!

[@tbonej3151]

agreed to some extent. Bluegrass Album Band was ridiculous. older guys and styles, but insane. The Supergroup of Bluegrass,

[@tonyeads9142]

Tbone J I love these types of discussions with mature people. I have to ask what you meant by " to an extent". What part of my statement would you disagree with?

[@tbonej3151]

It's basically just perspective to the best in their field of that era. I agree with you 99% that's about the best we can do as humans. I thought new grass Revival in that whole movement obviously put Bluegrass into the different Stratosphere and then again with Dan tyminski and oh brother. So we will just see another phase at some point in time and we'll just keep jamming along and enjoying it

[@tonyeads9142]

Tbone J New Grass Revival is represented well here with Sam Bush and Bela Fleck. Tony Rice truly changed the way people viewed the acoustic guitar. It was no longer just the rhythm section that was keeping time while the other instruments (Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle, and Dobro) took all the breaks. That is why I said such an influential collective may never be assembled again in our life time. Jerry Douglas (the best) Bela Fleck (The Best) Mark O'Conner (The Best) Tony Rice (A pioneer, and arguably The Best) Sam Bush (killer singer and certainly one of the best ever). I have such an appreciation for what these guys started this many years ago. It is undeniable that every single player in bluegrass today no matter what age or gender has been influenced either directly or indirectly by one or all of these amazing musicians. Thank God for the archives that we can still watch and listen to!

[@garylam6233]

Just for the record how in the hell can you possibly gather this much talent and have them all on the stage at one time ! Absolutely incredible

[@HobbitMadness]

How hot are these guys? My monitor just melted into a steaming hot puddle of plastic and glass ....

[@thefattony2011]

best comment!!! God Speed Tony Rice

[@axeman2638]

Smokin!

[@jasonbauer5488]

Lol, really, your monitor is made glass and plastic. Mine is made of pure dark matter and works off quantum mechanics. It takes me really far away anytime I want...

[@seanschmidt2793]

Ain't nuttin but some bad assed Blue Grass 🥳

[@JerryToneStore]

I loved the mandolin player's face after Tony's first solo. What a lineup of talent

[@Atemporalacab]

Mean sam bush

[@jamietodd2560]

Great thing about Sam, he always looks like he's having the time of his life.

[@CosmicXRay]

Hats off to Jerry Douglas as well...

[@isaiahnewsome4846]

Love how Tony calls Sam bush “play it again son!” Tony completely runs the show if he’s on stage.

[@HariKrishna-em8fz]

The greatest collection of acoustic instrumentalists ever.

[@tonyeads6968]

Yes! Not just great but "influential" that is what makes them the best in my humble opinion.

[@BlickInStead]

Maybe the best lineup of bluegrass players we'll see for a while anyway.

[@tonyeads6968]

@@BlickInStead Without a doubt!!! This collective is seriously ridiculous!

[@richarddavidow9710]

Complete, total, ultimate virtuosity.

[@bigboysdontcry8088]

I love how these guys are each trying to one up the other on the breaks, but in a good-natured way. You can tell they're all pals and enjoy the hell out of what they're doing. Sure makes me grin!

[@KennethWilliamElkington]

Yup... Tony, Sam, Mark, Bela... and Jerry make quite the "super-group" to say the very least. Savor this one folks, this kind of amazing, blazing talent is rare for sure in any individual, but all together? It's like Haley's Comet... just be thankful you saw it in your lifetime... and enjoy the Cosmic Journey!

[@jordanblack2250]

Like the phish song?

[@aarons1635]

So very true…

[@stevepick9527]

So very true… just pure energy and talent!

[@delaniemarie]

What can you say about Tony Rice? "So good he never plays the same thing twice" Starting at about 4:00, he's just 'out there', he has that look "what the hell do I do now?" (watch Bush look over at O'Connor) But Rice brings it together and 99% of the audience never knows he's in uncharted territory (if there is such a thing with him). Never misses a lick. He does it on purpose, constantly, to challenge himself. He admits it on his instructional videos. Like the other bluegrass greats, he's just that damn good. Many deserve as much credit - but no one deserves more credit for making bluegrass music as popular as it is today. But his best quality: As much a gentleman as a musician, and that's saying a lot. I did not post these comments to take away from the other performers. I've been playing (amateur, strumming) guitar over 45 years but since I started Mr Rice's instructional videos I sometimes forget to eat.

[@blueseruser]

Well put, I know what you mean about getting so engrossed in his videos that you lose track of time.

[@guibox3]

Some of the greatest bluegrass pickers on stage at once, and what do we get? * camera man * : "Let me film everything BUT their fingers when they do their instrumentals!" Thanks man. Every musician who plays sure appreciated that.

[@paulcosta5806]

Unfortunately most cameraman are not musicians (or producers behind the scenes).

[@superjay42]

Hahaha my god, at 4:13 watch Tony's wry, knowing smirk, as if to say "what, you thought I was lost?" as he hands the lead off to Jerry and Sam looks mind-blown in the background. A badass with class! Nobody does it like Tony

[@TulsaGirlForever]

Can we get an Amen and Hallelujah we lived during this time and saw these guys LIVE?!?!? It breaks my heart the issues Tony Rice has now, but he sure has given us lots of hours of great talent. I HEART Bluegrass.

[@blueseruser]

amen to your post. I was there in 92 and it was first time for me to see Tony and fell in love with Bluegrass music that day.

[@Artytype1]

Lord have mercy. Tony Rice and all the musicians featured just know how to tug away at your emotions in ensembles like this. It certainly is the pinnacle of musical talent.

[@dlsimon212]

The top players for each of the instruments in bluegrass music,, and to these guys, they're just jamm'n,,, no big deal to them, just everyday fun!

[@ericdiamond373]

I have seen and heard all of these guys many times, and I still cannot believe the virtuosity

[@TheMrCompletely]

This appears to be from the Merle Watson Memorial Bluegrass Festival (now called "MerleFest") in 1992 which was filmed for PBS and released as a 10 part documentary called "Pickin' for Merle." I was in attendance, and not only was it easily the best bluegrass festival I have seen out of dozens, this allstar jam was the musical highlight rather easily. Thank you very much for posting it!

[@charlestiedeman533]

00

[@capoeirnesto]

what have I just seen? multiple strokes right now ;) ..... thank you!

[@petebansen9780]

If there's ever been a better version, I haven't heard it. Smokin'

[@notmyname3681]

Love how the fiddle player kinda goes 'hey look boys, long notes!' before absolutely blazing it.

[@mf5202]

I hope people that were there understand how amazing these guys were, and how lucky to see this group of people. They ALL threw their gauntlets down, not to compete but to honor each other. Rice, O'Connor and Douglas are the best of the best on their instruments (perhaps all time). Sam Bush and Bela are legends themselves. Amazing!

[@PrometheanBlade]

Bela is the best of the best on his instrument as well. Perhaps only Jens is approximately in his league... As for Sam? He's amazing, but I'm not a mandolin player so I can't say how he rates today.

[@mf5202]

@@PrometheanBlade Chris Thile in mandolin is almost too good. Bela has reclaimed his throne with his latest work, but technically, Pikelny, JD Crowe are amazing

[@gratefullybred]

tony rice sports that mullet with such impeccable style..

[@spelingmaster]

Mark O'Connor is the most talented musician alive. I don't think I've ever heard that guy play a bad note.

[@briangosnell9521]

He can play the hell outta that fiddle

[@toddjohnson271]

Tony Rice was a bit more flavorful on guitar imo.....but not gonna argue. O'Connor is off the charts and plays everything!

[@georgen9383]

The Incomparable Uncle Tony. I know he rests in a better place, but damn were we blessed with his presence during that time. I know Pam misses him dearly as well. We truly lived through a wonderful time with astounding musicians... Larry, John Duffey, Doc, Chubby and Mr. Monroe and many others never to be forgotten... and I was just a kid for most of it! But the likes of Billy Strings, Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, Sturgill and the like remind me that great music never dies. It just gets more refined. Side note- listen to Tony's ridiculous fills here.. just.. amazing.

[@garywhitt98]

Like a friggin' Neil Armstrong stepping on the Moon kind of moment in Bluegrass. I wonder if they had a sense of that moment?

[@jordanblack2250]

Tony Rice, the absolutel LORD AND SAVIOR of bluegrass guitar with virtuosic jazz influnce.. Mark O'Connor.. the true GOAT of Americana fiddle 🎻 🙌 👌 Sam Bush, who simply cannot be touched w a 10ft pole by any other mandolin player, and somehow is the same age today that he was in this video.. The one and only Bela Fleck, the undisputed world master of bluegrass banjo AS A SIDE HUSTLE not to mention being the innovator of classical style banjo.. sadly I don't know much about upright bass player, Mark Schatz, but he sounds incredible and certainly must have a vast wealth of skill and feel to be up with these monsters, few people pay much attention to the bass in bluegrass but it becomes instantly apparent how important it is the moment that it isn't there... And last but certainly not least Jerry Douglas, who is undoubtedly on top of the world as the tastiest, fastest, most soulful dobro.. This is beyond inspiring, if I could learn to pick half as good as anyone here I would be satisfied and probably very successful 😆

[@countryboj]

Sad ste sve rekli o sebi, dragi gospodine! Čestitam na kulturi! Na žalost, sve se ostvarilo što sam mislio o Vama!

[@MisterSchlomah]

That has got to be the most tasteful fiddle break I have ever heard!

[@dirtyhiggins5484]

It doesn't get better than this crew. This is ultimate bluegrass.

[@richardperkins5046]

56 thumbs down? Sheesh, this is about as good as bluegrass gets. If you don't like bluegrass, don't come to a bluegrass video and thumb it down.

[@mrswimmyboy]

Mark's first album was "National Junior Fiddle Champion" "Pickin' in the Wind" was his second. Both were on Rounder Records.

[@grimaceize]

It doesn't get any better... Some of the greatest of all time! RIP Tony...

[@ElectricCelt56]

I'm always pleased when "dawg" musicians sneak in some real outside, jazz stuff. They have big ears.

[@sartainja]

This song was legendary ridge runner Billy Jack’s favorite song while hauling corn lick-her down the road doing 110 MPH smoking a big joint.

[@jordanbyates]

4:14 The look to Jerry while pounding that hammer pull off. My god that’s as cool as it gets.

[@elizabethbrigden]

Oh the skill, the art (especially), the joy! Everyone here is at the tippety-top of their game and loving it.

[@JohnHicksPicks]

Tony rice. Certified badass

[@murphy2034]

You go Jerry you are the best dobro player ever!!

[@jazzmenco]

The best of the best ❤😊

[@franzllattner]

Incredible amount of talent !

[@goodwintrent2989]

All-star bands rarely as good as you expect them to for various reasons (egos, poor mixing, too busy, too many bodies on stage, etc.)... However, if you have any combination of two or more of these particular gentleman one stage, its going to be one hell of a ride! The best of the best.

[@WayfaringStranger12]

Tony is such a shredder. They all shred. God damn what a line up.

[@steelyman08]

And this is how Tony Rice brought Bluegrass music to a far wider audience. There are many others as well, but he linked up with so many progressive players that younger generations were listening to. Flung the doors wide open.

[@voltron420420420]

Can't tell you how many times I've played this one. Thanks for keeping it posted👍

[@ovlactime]

J'ai beaucoup aimé entendre la musique de la réunion de ces grands musiciens ...merci

[@procarpenter1788]

It doesn't get any better than this.

[@liamogrady2277]

This is just like having an eargasm this don’t get you moving , you better check for a pulse Tony Rice is way underrated in my humble opinion he is one of the best flat pickers ever

[@austenrobinson2747]

Tony had the best right hand ever. Efficient, no wasted motion

[@louisevad6091]

What a lineup on that stage. RIP Tony

[@CurleyRadio]

Now that is amazing...

[@justkaron]

This sizzles! Dang! Smokin' hot! Can't quit watching this.

[@harry61991]

Holy shit. This is about as all star as it gets.

[@stevepick9527]

Man, how great was Tony Rice…. Amazing pickers all!

[@aten55]

Everyone wants to hang out and jam with the mandolin player.

[@JulianZeezer]

I can't even play rhythm that fast.

[@joshuatate5671]

Practice!

[@ronalde.prindle2822]

Keeps his pens handy in his pocket in case he here's a special not he wants to remember. Very nice.

[@briandolan631]

Just makes you feel good!

[@sirkatthew3080]

absolutely criminal to not zoom in on tony rices fretboard during that first solo :(

[@charleshill9649]

All Star band for sure! Some outfits equal this (to me) but none surpass. Going back to 80s, I (Duane Allman/Dickey Betts/Clapton/Skynyrd style player) had bought a Martin and learning some Doc-Tony stuff. Visited my uncle Lawrence Privitte, a bassist from down Lexington NC way, with my Martin. Playing on the porch he asked who I'd been listening to. I told him Doc & Tony; he said "I thought so, I can hear it. You know, Tony stayed with me last winter. Wish I'd known you were getting into this stuff". Me too uncle Lawrence, me too...

[@eugenefried5609]

LOVE BLUEGRASS!

[@rhythmmechanic]

oh yeah...you gotta love that look tony gives jerry before jerry takes off. This song is so awesome.

[@bluegrassmovie12]

Bluegrass at it's finest! I can see Bill Monroe wryly smiling, proud of his creation.

[@marcdunn7716]

Absolute world class all round

[@tambour2007]

so very true, no improvisation no music

[@2soakers]

144-168 beats per minute. Whew.

[@ramonasbluegrassandstuff4146]

This is undoubtedly THE BEST version of this song EVER to come along. Just smokin' hot, spot on! WURD.....SON!!!!!!

[@mosrite60]

Mark really had to be on his toes for his fiddle break. Man, an awesome fiddle player. mos60

[@rockinredneck57]

Mark is a past Grandmaster champion on both fiddle and guitar.

[@BroughamConspiracy]

Hells Yeah! Thanks Mom and Dad for being folkies and dragging me out to see all those crazy musicians doin' crazy stuff so that I end up touring with punk and metal bands for 10 years. Truer words were never spoken my friend. I love Bluegrass, Tony Rice and Bela and Freeborn Man, but love most especially Tony's raging hockey hair! Rock the f&*k on!

[@WyattD18]

This was an amazing show (I followed that guy all over since the mid-70's. Too bad Tony has developed arthritis and a vocal condition, as he has a wonderful voice. Also too bad Merlefest has become like Disneyworld.......back in 88-92 or so, you could camp and walk over to the festival and sit in the lawn chair you left overnight.

[@jdubsmusiclive3266]

KZbin needs a Love button just for killer performances like this!

[@Ondrej_E_]

One of the best Tony´s performance here what I know!

[@aliwhitwell]

Just don't get any better than this! Awesome.

[@popoaggie]

I love how everyone critiques these guys. Ya know, at most of the festivals I see them perform, they are very approachable. Why not snag them after their set and sit down with them and show them how it's done. I'm sure Tony would love for a total stranger to show him how to improve his technique.

[@garymichael1950]

As a person who is proud to have a rather extensive vocabulary..all I can say is Uhhhh, Wow!

[@JonEricMusic]

That is just off the hook! AWESOME--- Thanks for sharing. Banjoistically yours, Jon Eric

[@strawman8]

That is as good as I heard Tony Rice play.What an awesome group.Thanks so much for posting.

[@Toner12]

How great to hear guys of this calibre perform an Outlaws song. Haha, a glance to next guy and off we go..... fantastic. Hughie would love this .......

[@mosrite60]

awesome guitar playin' Tony one of the greatest EVER.

[@stevepennington7879]

Quite possibly the best bunch to assemble and play on stage. Awesome doesn’t start to describe these guys!

[@mnc1126]

It’s like the instruments are playing the people. Pure genius all the way round.

[@johnfenner347]

Absolutely wonderful !. We will not hear or see their like again. This transcends everything. I’m so thankful that these fantastic players came my way. Marvellous! x x .

[@garywhitt98]

While I appreciate the sentiment and agree with you that they are all beautiful and mighty to behold, Michael Cleveland, Noam Pikelny, Chris Thile, and Jake Workman will encourage you that the musical skill that marks this performance is still growing.

[@johnfenner347]

@@garywhitt98 Yes indeed. Of course its " Not a Competition " !. As Art Tatum said to his manager, who asked him why he was sitting in an awful bar listening to a bad piano player, " Everyone has something to say". Chris Thiel for one can no doubt run rings with the Mandolin here, but, would probably be the first to say he liked this performance. We are all different, and contribute. Kind regards, Fenn.

[@SamuraiMitsukai]

This is both amazing and makes me never want to pick my guitar up again.

[@kriskenard]

I have no words, only respect.

[@bones2900]

In these days of musicians shredding their instruments, it is wonderful to see some guys who can play. These guys just don't play though, they render me speechless!

[@handy335]

@nicknashlaws ..Yer killin' me!! HAW!! Good one!

[@HarmonieguitareBlogspotFrjltei]

Top of the top players,how lucky we are to watch these incredible musicians here on YT!Thanks for sharing!

[@hochbob]

It doesn't get any better!!

[@KennethWilliamElkington]

IMPECCABLE, peerless pickin' by some absolute legends of bluegrass, roots music! SOmeone remarked how difficult this genre is... he/she is spot on. I would say jazz and bluegrass greats have much in common: musical genius.

[@billybee2960]

Love this one too

[@SunSue2]

Dream Team of Bluegrass musicians, for sure.

[@lfish21.]

That dude is up there just shredding like its nothing.

[@davidlowney634]

The best players in the world

[@jasonbauer5488]

Tony Rice looks so much like my old neighbors dad it's crazy. Sam Bush, and I think it's Bella Flec, Victor Wooton, and Jerry Duglas. Sorry if I missed someone! I also apologize if my spelling is off! Jerry Duglas looks kinda creepy in his huge glasses and jeans jacket lmao. But this a great recording! Tony was super nice, and so were the other guys. I met them all through out my tag along days following awesome American music. What a treat it was! RIP Tony!

[@6412mars]

Mark O'Connor

[@nicknashlaws]

im gonna get bush,rice,douglas n oconner some of them mel bay books

[@kent9311]

if it gets any better than this, i guess i just plain missed it!!!! there may have been musicians of this caliber performing together as a band before but i would definitely need lots of convincing. they are all top drawer and with their instruments stand with the very best. i sure miss tony's vocals. bluegrass really really does rule.