Meeting Tony Rice - My Personal Experiences with A Guitar Hero

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David Anthony Rice (June 8, 1951 - December 25, 2020), known professionally as Tony Rice, was an American guitarist and bluegrass musician. He was an influential acoustic guitar player in bluegrass, progressive bluegrass, newgrass and acoustic jazz. He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
Rice's music spans the range of acoustic from traditional bluegrass to jazz-influenced New Acoustic music to songwriter-oriented folk. Over the course of his career, he played alongside J. D. Crowe and the New South, David Grisman (during the formation of "Dawg Music") and Jerry Garcia, led his own Tony Rice Unit, collaborated with Norman Blake, recorded with his brothers Wyatt, Ron, and Larry, and co-founded the Bluegrass Album Band. He recorded with drums, piano, soprano sax, as well as with traditional bluegrass instrumentation.

[@58957]

I only got to see Tony Rice live and in person once with the Unit, Simpkins brothers, Gaudreau & Wyatt . It was at Green Acres Music Hall, Bostic NC 1989 or 90. Although i didn't get to officially meet Tony after 1st set i talked to Wyatt. Wyatt was so nice and let me play a couple Santa Cruz guitars he had with him and treated me like he had known me all my life. Tony and the rest of the band were on a bus that i think belonged to the people at Green Acres that they used for a break/dressing room for the bands. Tony was upset about the sound alot of bad feedback through the stage monitors during the first set. Out of respect i didnt feel it was the time to try and meet him. But i did hear Tony say a few choice words about the soundman. After there break was over Tony was walking back in with The Antique strapped on to play 2nd set the rest of the band had already went back inside. I was walking along beside him in awe of "The Great One" but i didnt speak. As he was walking up steps that led back into the building he slipped but caught himself before he fell and damaged The Antique. I was right beside the steps when he slipped and we were looking eye to eye. I said "I don't think Clarence would like it if you crushed that guitar". He stood up and brushed his self off and said "No son i don't think he would" and walked in back door. A true story i never will forget. The second set soundman got the feedback under control and i was front row right in front of my idol. I was in heaven awesome show. John D. Dill

[@bradapplemusic]

Awesome story, John, and thanks so much for sharing! I'm sure glad Tony caught himself and didn't damage the old bone. That wouldn't have been good! At the first show I saw him at in NC in 1993, he also wasn't pleased with the soundman at first. In fact, Tony left the stage for a few minutes while the rest of the Unit stayed on stage and sorted it out. After that, he came back on and finished the show.

[@sameo2634]

First saw Tony play at (of all places) a Straw Hat Pizza Parlor in San Jose, right around the time he started playing with David Grisman Quintet, I believe it was 1975. Totally struck by all that was moving was his hands, almost like he and his old Martin were one and the same. His solos were larger than life as if they just floated out of his guitar. I was just learning bluegrass and a year later at gig in Palo Alto I approached him and asked if he gave guitar lessons and he graciously agreed to one at his apartment in Marin at that time. My take away was one incredible G blues lick he said he had learned from Sam Bush. A real privilege!

[@tommyleebaker1]

Sweetwater which also included Darol Anger, maybe 1975, I played mandolin and it was great having Tony with us for a few months.

[@dllavid]

Met Tony at Bass mountain just after his book came out . Tony was signing books in a cabin seemed gracious to all . I got him to sign my son’s Dukes 01 hat . Told Tony about Larry living across the street from my family when I was a pre-teen . My friend having old cassette tapes of Tony , Larry and a few other doing an impromptu jam at the work release center just down the road… his father was staying there at the time … he was very gracious and remembered that time … one of Tony’s cousin had a local bluegrass/country music club in Ellenton , Florida . Leon Poindexter and his brother Larry played in the band at the time .

[@JanJohanssonmusic]

Good work, Brad...

[@bradapplemusic]

Thanks, Jan! I appreciate you!

[@johngolden4468]

Brad, Thanks for sharing your story. My interactions with Tony are many and several are hilarious but some NOT family friendly...... but still awesome! Tony had a wicked sense of humor and loved to hang with the guys.....

[@waynemiracle8928]

I also met Tony twice. The first time was in Nashville at the Station Inn around February of 1990! He signed my Native American album that hangs in my office! The second time was December 2003 at Randy Woods Picking Parlor in Bloomingdale, Georgia. That time he signed a 58957 Bluegrass Guitar Collection CD that I foolishly gave away to my nephew. Also, for my graduation from College gift I went with my Dad to see Tony perform in 1990 at a TV show taping of the Old Time Music shop held at Vanderbilt University in Nashville! He starred with an all star cast. It was VERY special to e because my Dad was with me and because it was a very special day seeing my all time favorite musical artist of my life! TR has always had a very special place in my life form the first album I heard of his, Manzanita, in about 1979! I sure do miss him!

[@bradapplemusic]

Thanks so much for sharing! That is awesome that you got to attend the Vanderbilt University show. I still have those old American Music Shop shows taped on VHS somewhere. Loved it when Tony was on there. In fact, I was still in high school back then, and could hardly wait for the day to be over because I knew I could see Tony on the TV that night!

[@waynemiracle8928]

@@bradapplemusic Yes, I have that tape somewhere too! I throughly enjoy your channel! Thanks for all you do.

[@Mrsournotes2]

Thanks for posting this Brad. I never did see Tony play live unfortunately. But I enjoyed “Still Inside” very much, and continue to listen to his music and learn some of his tunes.

[@bradapplemusic]

Thank you so much for watching! He left a huge volume of work that we can enjoy forever. What a talent!

[@boriskrizan7447]

I was there in Nashville in 2005 when he played with Donna Hughes. He produced and played on her record Gaining Wisdom. He also played on the main stage at Fan Fest with Peter Rowan and Bryn Bright that year. Last time saw him was in Nashville also in 2008 with he played show with Mountain Heart.

[@davecampbell8281]

That's what I have been trying to find? He has many compilation albums and possibly other personal unit compilations? I actually purchased one from the only bluegrass music store in the Eastern US that I was aware of then? It was around 88 when I first visited it on south high street Columbus OH. (23). I bought a cd or a cassette tape? I think a cd. And I haven't found it since?

[@davecampbell8281]

I met and had several conversations with tony and Wyatt. One was only four of us on the top deck of the WV Bell in December 1990 I am sad about the fact they invited me to their hotel rooms after the show and I was going to college and didn't go? One of many regrets. He was a professional through and through as was and is Wyatt.

[@bradapplemusic]

Thanks for sharing! I know you regret not going and hanging out after the show!

[@417angrybirds]

Mother’s Day, 2003… He was very humble… got to meet him after the show. He was a master of human relations as well as the craft but I suppose that is part of the craft at that level… My camera failed to get a shot.. it was a digital camera & I think they were still new… he commented that we cannot depend on technology… Mr. Rice has - no doubt - helped shape so many people’s lives in many ways… my boys were raised on his music from the womb. Me - since I was a kid (early 80s)… If we do what we’re put on this earth to do then the trickle-down - or.. “butterfly effect” is immeasurable & I think that my musical hero did his job to the fullest & passed the torch on to my new heroes- (my sons)… they are indebted to him (unbeknownst to them) as the synapses firing so early on in their journey of life has definitely had a strong impact on their lives in countless ways - to their credit. RIP Tony!

[@MandoMojo77]

This was great! Thanks for sharing

[@bradapplemusic]

Thank you so much! I was a little hesitant to share at first, hoping folks would like it. I've got some good comments so far, so I'm glad I did. Thanks again!

[@Flatpicker413]

Brad...I was at the Grandfather festival as well and have old VHS footage of it. You and I graduated the same year, and have very similar experiences with meeting those guys at this festival. Thanks for sharing!

[@bradapplemusic]

Thanks for sharing and commenting! It was a very special time for certain.

[@Mrsournotes]

That’s a pretty darn good story Brad. Definitely one of my flatpicking’ heroes. I would have enjoyed meeting TR, and loaning his band an instrument for good measure!

[@bradapplemusic]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@Michael-dj4iq]

Hi, Brad . Michael Holmes 😮 fine video bro.. your the closest I've ever heard compared to the likes of Tony. I met him also. He was a kind person. Tony tought me g c and d cord! ❤ I didn't get much further than that. But inevitable my brother is on the grand Ole Opryland list to play any time. Jon my brother plays banjo. Jon is close to Mike snider , the home of my grandaddy Jimmy Sanders Brad. Gleson tn... So we all have met him a few times and he played like a hit man! And never missed a note! Bad to the bone. Wish you the best brad.

[@TheNMbluegrasspicker]

I really wish I got into bluegrass earlier because almost all my favorite bluegrass artists r dead by now 😞

[@417angrybirds]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZyXqIungq97Ztksi=9aGQijv5C8VX8Czr Not flat-picking by any means but his beain works in these “dimensions” as a result - I’m sure - of having been exposed to music from the womb & Tony Rice’s music - along w/ Mark O’Connor & others was playing in the background while Luke (my firstborn)… was being born… Luke created this only a few minutes ago & so I thought I’d share it. Godspeed!