Bluegrass Album Band - Blue Ridge Mountain Home & Big Spike Hammer

Two nice live performances from the first IBMA award show from 1991.

[@floyddarmody81]

Rice was the total package. Lead, rhythm and incredible vocals. Wish he was still around!

[@jayfeder8217]

God bless, Tony Rice. What a talent!

[@JulienFoucaut]

R.I.P Tony, you are the best...♥️

[@novideoavailable5474]

So sad..

[@mythcrackers460]

Best bluegrass guitarist

[@jackjuil8471]

😭

[@blue4948]

I cant believe it. Gone too soon. 😭💔

[@mikelldaley9078]

YES

[@anvilhead0]

RIP Tony Rice, one of the all time greats..

[@hunterhall3590]

The greatest of all time

[@mikelldaley9078]

amen amen amen awesome talent. took it to a whole new level

[@floyddarmody81]

@@hunterhall3590 indeed!

[@midwaymonster30]

It just doesn't get much better than this, folks.

[@tenncolor6586]

Whenever the solo gets passed to tony, I usually find myself with an involuntary, ‘’whewwwww’ or a “SON” RIP tony, wont you bury him on the mountain

[@susanreynolds661]

Tony Rice has got to be the best guitarist I've ever heard. I miss him oh so much!!

[@barbaratromellodesantis3712]

Long live bluegrass music. From Italy.

[@davidmcknight8950]

RIP the legendary JD Crowe

[@mikelldaley9078]

AND TONY JUS A YEAR AGO. THEY PLAYED SO WELL TOGETHER...

[@boatdoc61]

You could debate endlessly about which Bluegrass Band was "best" - but from both an historic standpoint as well as unsurpassed musicianship you'd have a hard time picking a band better than Tony Rice, JD Crowe, Doyle Lawson, Bobby Hicks AND Vassar Clements on Twin Fiddles, Jerry Douglas and Mark Schatz. Bluegrass fans owe a debt to the fact that these superstars all put aside their own bands long enough to form THIS band - and then with the possibility of making any music they wanted, they concentrated on "The Classics". Every one of these musicians has made a living for decades pushing the cutting edge of string acoustic music - but for THIS project they paid homage to Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Osborne Brothers and the first generation of giants. Everyone who plays Bluegrass today stands on these shoulders. Dennis - thanks for sharing this!

[@jonstone55]

Well put.

[@als1023]

As elegant and accurate a comment as anyone could contribute ! many thanks for posting !

[@BluegrassBanter]

Mark Fowler look up a band called Cadillac Sky, if you want to see a true example of a group of musically genius bluegrass artists

[@kiphemingway]

Yes sir.... Well said....

[@packingten]

Lucas Posillico Sorry hard to get much better than JDCrowe and Tony Rice ....Doyle Lawson...

[@thinredline7477]

6:10 everyone in the first 5 rows got their wigs blew off from Tony’s lick on the guitar. Damn. Rest easy brother

[@LloydFink]

Sad day, thinking about Tony and his family. Rest In Peace.

[@kosemkamtsan]

Can we just appreciate how Tony flipped the script on those last two verses of Big Spike Hammer? He messed up verse two and was so clear minded WHILE playing the song, that he was able to stitch the last verse together like a champ. What a legend.

[@JanJohanssonmusic]

His mind was so sharp... Tony was incredibly gifted as far as his ability to remember lyrics,,,

[@mauricehayden8835]

That man could play something wrong and make it sound perfect, savage operator

[@tinacampbell8539]

It’s painful to watch this but thank goodness we can. I hope the legends on that stage who are now with their Heavenly Father, knew how influential, appreciated and respected they were in Bluegrass music - the mark they’d leave behind. Doyle Lawson played his final show as DL&Q last night, Dec 30/21. He has contributed so much to this genre ,there’s not enough time to cover it. His teachings, leadership, professionalism, it’ll go on (I hope) through the young musicians he’s “turned out” so to speak and the musicians he’s influenced through the years. I have a heavy heart today , but I’ll be forever grateful for the music and memories. Who’s going to fill their shoes? It’s going to be an undertaking ; but I’ll be watching and listening for the future heroes to step up. 🙏God bless these men. And God bless Bluegrass music and all the fans still traveling this road together. ❤️

[@marivis70]

Beautiful words

[@johnbaird7549]

The bass player looks like a happy man.

[@JWest2k]

R.I.P. Vassar Clements - a great fiddle player.

[@davebing5120]

I'm here by way of billy strings dust in a baggie on a rat sofa but I'm man o man am I glad to be here... Had to edit my comments: NOW THAT IS COUNTRY MUSIC! awesome musicianship and vocals...

[@BenAdam-om2hr]

NOW THAT IS BLUEGRASS MUSIC!

[@susanreynolds661]

I would give anything to have seen Tony Rice in concert, he is the best!

[@jimlarsen9340]

I was lucky in that, and a small venue to boot. Good memory.

[@blue4948]

Love you Tony! R.I.P. I heard the news and immediately came to this video. Brought tears to my eyes.💔 Ive only been playing guitar for three years, And only been listening to Tony’s music for two, but he has changed my life.

[@heathkish6901]

Respect! You obviously have great taste in pickers!

[@blue4948]

Me and some friends went up to Silver Dollar City to a youth bluegrass competition and won it! I love this music. The band is Sylamore Special. I would never have done any of that if it wasn’t for watching Tony. In my opinion, no better music exist in the world!

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

Lord have mercy those were the days,been back stage with these guys.Thanks for the memory.!!!

[@Trollificusv2]

Thing is, with bluegrass, you can never get so nostalgic you say "Don't make 'em like that nay more." because they still DO! These guys have left the music in good hands.

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

@@Trollificusv2 Yes sir they have im just glad I was around to hear it.

[@ArkRed1]

J.D's banjo technique and tone just knock me out. He has that certain "bounce" to his playing that sets your toes to tapping.

[@ArkRed1]

@@kimberlyatwell5789 Blue Ridge Cabin Home is my favorite bluegrass tune.

[@mikelldaley9078]

so gifted

[@pj3679]

I miss hearing Tony Rice sing.

[@elizabethkelly6700]

Paul Johnson I agree

[@jomoss5015]

Yes yes....such a great voice,

[@Bflatest]

did he die?

[@david9783]

me too

[@bobgroff1328]

@@Bflatest no he did not, he lives in Reidsville NC. We see him at the local cafe now and then. He is very very thin and has lost his voice

[@stevepennington7879]

Quite possibly the greatest lineup on stage together !! If you like Bluegrass this is good as it gets !!

[@jjjj-uh3mu]

I concur. Just makes me want to go Virginia

[@2010hoppy]

Bluegrass album band best when bluegrass was true all the way and great members with true talent

[@Saxy64]

Their "Big Spike Hammer" gave me chills it was so good. Bluegrass perfection!

[@mikelldaley9078]

yes !

[@gutbucket260]

This is as close to a "Super Band" as you can get for traditional bluegrass music. Still making waves all these years later.

[@scottsozmtns7534]

I still have a hard time listening to him singing & playing. I grew up listening to him as a kid, then as an adult workin’ on my own music career I got to spend a fair bit of time w/Tony, little brother Wyatt (mostly lol), & good buddy Rickie Simpkins. I miss em all, getting to see them at shows, weather I was there to play or just to listen. Honestly I’d have rather been there to watch as when your playing you don’t have a lot of time to wonder around & visit with the other players. But, boy do I miss him! The Angels finally got the “GREATEST Lead Flattop”, guitar picker to help em’ out!! Godspeed “T”, Godspeed. R.I.P.

[@desotofiresweep58]

I'd have to say Jerry Douglas is probably still today probably one of the best resophonic guitar "Dobro" players in the world

[@stangraham9091]

The best ever.

[@marcusbuckner5582]

Tony having fun ‘ sticking it’ to Della Mae........he and JD, Vassar are muchly missed....🎸🎸🎸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@johncopeland8680]

This takes me back to the early 80’s when I discovered this group. I could listen to this jam all day!

[@leepope4061]

Tony Rice and crew, what else can you say? Sooo great! These guys really restored the great sound of Bluegrass music. Toney, and all the musicians that played music during the 1980s and 90s made such a great contribution to the style Monroe introduced. Long live Bluegrass music. May "Bluegrass rule"!

[@garyjohnson2879]

JD is a dying breed one of a few that plays the 5 string the way it was meant to be played

[@pnwoods]

How on earth could 167 people not like this?

[@MrMusicguyma]

Pros having fun, every one of them at the top their game.

[@ClintonCaraway]

Tony singing like a songbird and Bobby and Vassar together!! My goodness I'll always love this band!!

[@mikelldaley9078]

ARE THEY NOT GREAT

[@FADumas]

I like this old Bluegrass music very much it's bad that not a lote off this video's on KZbin. Great from the Netherlands.

[@dawgman1968]

how in the h##l can anyone with their right mind give this a thumbs down???? Downright perfect performance...

[@mikelldaley9078]

they will always be the ELITE

[@linterpretemehariste9081]

Probably just a clicking error, or one of these guys who call Appalachians "Hill Billy", don't bother, they are not worth it! LOL!

[@nicknick2203]

What makes them something else is not only how talented each individual is.. But the absolute joy you can see they have playing with each other.. Especially for Big Spike Hammer, look how Tony, Mark, and Doyle keep laughing and smiling at each other. And they all cheer for each others solos. Best band in Bluegrass.

[@marivis70]

True, it's great!

[@johnnyparker9928]

The BLUEGRASS ICONS are larger than life. This was the super band.

[@mikelldaley9078]

SO TRUE

[@aboutyabalmuanabi3103]

Bluegrass Album Band was a bluegrass super group, founded by Tony Rice and J.D. Crowe in 1980. Originally, there was no intention to build a permanent group and the main reason for the collaboration was to record a solo album for Tony Rice. They found that this cooperation could work and the result was an album called The Bluegrass Album, released in 1981, with 5 more volumes of music to follow.

[@aboutyabalmuanabi3103]

Tony Rice (born David Anthony Rice, June 8, 1951, Danville, Virginia, United States) is an American guitarist and bluegrass musician. He is considered one of the most influential acoustic guitar players in bluegrass, progressive bluegrass, new grass and acoustic jazz. He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2013

[@aboutyabalmuanabi3103]

Rice was born in Danville, Virginia but grew up in Los Angeles, California, where his father, Herb Rice, introduced him to bluegrass. Tony and his brothers learned the fundamentals of bluegrass and country music from L.A. musicians like the Kentucky Colonels, led by Roland and Clarence White. Clarence White in particular became a huge influence on Rice. Crossing paths with fellow enthusiasts like Ry Cooder, Herb Pedersen and Chris Hillman reinforced the strength of the music he had learned from his father

[@Tomlinson_Farms]

Magical music. When I die I hope my Lord grants me to hear this sound as I close my eyes and rest...

[@stevecline5102]

I was very pleased to see Vassar Clements in this video. When I lived in Nashville we visited one another in our homes from time to time. We attended the same church, the Villages church of Christ in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. He was a very humble and modest man, never but never bragged on his accomplishments. I have an idea that he did not know how famous he was.

[@JimmyDeLocke]

What a lineup! Vassar and Bobby on twin fiddles.

[@kukusnest65]

from a fiddlers standpoint don't get much better huh! love it!

[@bobsink8186]

the old originals and they are excellent

[@kent9311]

if you don't like this band, you just don't like music. brings a lump to my throat everytime i hear these ole boys. thank you each and everyone for enriching my life. i can't seem to find this wonderful sound anymore. thanks dennis for the post, kt

[@SamofCR]

Tony, you were a good friend and inspiration . Larry and I will miss you.

[@bluegrass4life740]

It hurts to know that two of the greats of bluegrass that mastered their instrument have gone home... rip Tony and J.D😢

[@drewby613]

Vassar Clements on the harmony fiddle, and tearing up those fills!! What a treat!

[@mosrite60]

Yep, these guys are wow great. An unbelievable group assembled to play bluegrass. Not many, if any, groups today could touch these guys. probably not. mos60

[@jackwindrom253]

Earls of Leicester? Infamous Stringdusters? Travelin McCoury's? Osborne Brothers? Hot Rize? Time to get outta the house Mos. Because you're missing some outrageous music being played by new generations of musicians.

[@mosrite60]

Jack, your comment is okay. The younger generation of bluegrass are much more progressive. Some may be okay as heard on WAMU or the Opry. But no one will ever replace the guys picking and singing on this vid. JD Crowe, Tony, Doyle, Bobby Hicks, Jerry, I mean this is the cream of the crop. BTW the Osborne Bros (Bobby /Sony) are from the same traditional school. Same with Del McCoury band. But I do hear some of the younger crowd. WAMU Bluegrass plays many of them.

[@evanmcroberts5427]

mosrite60 Flat N Scruggs tops all of em

[@eliwoodling]

best of both worlds that bridged the gap from the older generation to the new: Seldom Scene.

[@scotthuffman3449]

What a lineup! This is as good as it gets!

[@mikelldaley9078]

YOU ARE SPOT ON !

[@stephengregory8152]

Rice is in the top 5 all time greatest vocalists to ever play bluegrass music

[@allenhughes12]

Everyone on stage is awesome but when Tony takes off, THAT is what folks wanted. We loved you Tony Rice and we always will 😢

[@banjerstring1304]

One of the greatest groups..real tribute to bluegrass..love listening to this one!

[@bigdancd]

Baddest bluegrass band on the planet!!!

[@bluegrasscountryradio8806]

Who is still listening this song 2021 - 2022 ??💕 If you are listening to this song you are definitely a legend

[@squirrelsRfun24]

Doesn’t get better than this. What a moment in time

[@bluegrallis]

What a Treasure!

[@rodneyf8949]

We're gonna miss you, Tony.

[@mikelldaley9078]

YES

[@david9783]

I would love to have been there!!!

[@rjmoney9]

Jerry Douglas on that Big Spike solo break... my god... singed my eyebrows off

[@vKarl71]

Insane dobro solo.

[@bushwacker3292]

Always will be known one of the best 👍

[@barrydoss9451]

The greatest!!

[@j.c.h7127]

Bill Collings, of Collings Guitars, and I sat together in the audience for this performance, which was "electrifying". During one of the early IBMA shows I met an old guy in a hallway either just before this performance, and perhaps even the next year (I just can't remember, but I only attended two in Owensboro, and I think they were back to back.) The old guy struck up a conversation with me, said he was Michigan. I only knew one person from Michigan who played Bluegrass, so I mentioned his name, and the gentleman said he had played in a band with that guy, so small world. Then another guy stuck his head through a door and said, "Pete, 5 minutes." The old guy stepped through the door and that was that. LaterI learned it was Pete Gobles, who wrote Big Spike Hammer. So I have always wondered if the off-script act, where JD answers, "Surprise" was actually planned. Does anybody know if Pete Gobles got his award the same year as this performance?

[@kathleensorce8468]

I miss the Great Northern Bluegrass festivals in Mole Lake, Wisconsin. (Potawatomi reservation) What a great time for everybody. They raised much needed money for the reservation (& nearby businesses and towns) I always went a few days early to find a good camping spot (& dig my latrine!) I took lots of people with me who swore that they didn't like Bluegrass. They admitted they were wrong and loved the experience. Four days of music with a $20 wristband. No police on the reservation so it was a special time for us 70's hippies.😁🎶💃

[@johnnyfenlayson8720]

Blue Ridge Cabin Home & Big Spike Hammer done by the the world's best !!!

[@johnhills4126]

Tony and JD laying it down and loving every moment.

[@randyjones7818]

Vassar and Bobby hicks..ive gone to bluegrass music heaven..prob.best bluegrass band ever set on a stage..all of em hall of fame...rj

[@garyoleyar]

MAN, i'd've loved to see the rest of this set. WOW! what genuine greatness all around.

[@mikelldaley9078]

amen gary

[@bluegrasshack3810]

This comes along only a very few times in a lifetime. Thanks, Dennis, for sharing!

[@sjwilson1698]

Loved ALL the Bluegrass Album Band records, thanks for posting this live performance, amazing thing about these guys is that their live performance could be the album cut with little to no dubbing !

[@michaelonischuk2700]

Wow, beautiful music. Thank you very much.

[@GraeneyMac]

Really happy to have found these boys. Raw Bluegrass talent. Touchstone for me now. Thank you for uploading

[@mikelldaley9078]

these are the elite ! wow !

[@josephshinta8421]

When I look at who is all on that stage kinda get a chill.

[@tennessee395]

Is it a chill or do you have to pee

[@georgescarlett5441]

"Here's one I wrote, J.D. kick it off", natural humor is ALWAYS the bestest!! Thanx for the "Postest, with the Mostest"! Gb bgt

[@ronnieroberts6830]

Gold tone banjo revure

[@m.c.master4622]

Brilliant, Doyle!!

[@dyerstraite]

Doesn't get much better than that!

[@mikelldaley9078]

THEY ARE THE BEST HANDS DOWN. THEY WERE ALWAYS AT THE TOP OF THEIR GAME.

[@georgecornish5664]

Awesome I really like seeing a young Jerry Douglas

[@johnnydogg746]

The legend, the man,the one man that stands along on his on mountain top because no one comes close to his raw,God given talent... Thank you Mr Rice for your influence your passion.

[@stephenhenion8304]

Now, That's the magic of Music!!! Let me get my guitar so I can sit right in.🎸🎸🎵🎵🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@frankdelph6677]

What a great Bluegrass band God has assembled in heaven.Bill, Ralph,Tony,J.D., Osborne Bros.,Jim,Jessie, Jimmy Martin,Mac,and so many more.

[@kenroger6081]

Past members トニー・ライス　　　　Tony Rice - guitar, vocals J. D.クロウ　　　　　　J. D. Crowe - banjo, vocals ドイル・ローソン　　　Doyle Lawson - mandolin, vocals ボビー・ヒックス　　　Bobby Hicks - fiddle ジェリー・ダグラス　　Jerry Douglas - Dobro, vocals バッサー・クレメンツ　Vassar Clements - fiddle マーク・シャッツ　　　Mark Schatz - bass　 (トッド・フィリップス　Todd Philips - bass)

[@ngzcaz]

Back when Tony could sing.... good stuff.

[@michaelmullins1290]

Always come to this video for the musicianship, comedy, and pure talent. Tony and Vasser gone, and the rest not far behind. It was the best thing I ever heard.

[@robertm1669]

The most amazing bluegrass band I have ever heard or seen.

[@mosrite60]

Second the motion. Amazing band. All superheros .

[@dennyshonda]

I use to have glasses that big.

[@SgtStickyTits]

Tony Rice. Man oh man what a legend.

[@mikelldaley9078]

AMEN

[@paulschmitz5129]

Tony's still sporting the best handlebar and mullet in the industry. I don't think anyone comes close...

[@94757598494309438]

Thanks for uploading. Loved it. Esp. the Rice Breaks. One of the greatest bands ever.

[@kent9311]

i love bg music. so many "greats" thru the years and this band is among the top. thanks for the post dennis, kt

[@strawman8]

What an awesome lineup of bluegrass talent with Tony Rice,Jerry Douglas,J.D. Crowe,Doyle Lawson and I'm sorry about the fiddlers I didn't catch. Thanks for sharin their great music.

[@seanmccormick3270]

The two fiddlers are legends - Bobby Hicks and Vassar Clements! And the bass player is Mark Shatz

[@stevepennington7879]

Sean McCormick Two of the best to ever drag a bow !

[@JoeBanjo88]

Sean McCormick Don't recognize Mark without his hat! And in a suit???

[@randyjones7818]

Steve Pennington ..... go get them fiddles. c.vassar and bobby.hicks.rj

[@Trollificusv2]

@@seanmccormick3270 You might have encountered Vassar from his work with Old and In the Way and Garcia Acoustic Band. Pretty sure he played with everybody , ever, thouigh.

[@mosrite60]

Great bluegrass band. All are superstars. Amazing group doesn't describe the group. Tony still great guitar works. JD also good licks. mos60

[@jimmcfalls6559]

Bluegrass at its finest. Thanks for sharing this!

[@farnorthweaver7793]

Love these guys! Nothing like it these days!

[@ArkRed1]

J.D.'s my man. His playing is smooth as a minners lip.

[@user-bz2dz9oh8x]

Doyle Lawson Tony Rice J D Crowe plus rest of band. Legendary Bluegrass Masters

[@kodargrisss]

Too bad I can't post a pic of the fire I'm around right now in my backyard while listening to this down home music

[@bluegrallis]

Vassar, Doyle, JD, Jerry D and Tony WOW!

[@jaredwomack3045]

Bobby Hicks and Mark Schatz too. I THINK…LOL

[@mikelldaley9078]

YES SIR !

[@countryboj]

Bluegrass Compact Disc....TOP OF UNIVERSE...

[@GipsplaceOrgBluesman]

Perfect high lonesome bluegrass! Thank goodness for youtube!

[@bluegrasshack3810]

Prime stuff by the best of the best! Younger, stronger, healthier back then. Fiddler Mickey Davis (Mississippi and Arkansas) used to say, "Everybody backs up for Vassar!" Yes, they did! So great to hear these guys just one more time!

[@GretschProf]

It's truly sad to think we won't being hearing any more singing from Tony Rice or fiddling from Vassar.

[@randyjones7818]

Mel Strait awesome. R.jones. nash.tn..vassar and b.hicks..fiddles bluegrass.forever.rj

[@handiman5]

It just don't get any better! Thanks for posting this!!