Tony Rice - IBMA Hall Of Fame Acceptance Speech

Tony Rice Acceptance Speech into the International Bluegrass Music Awards Hall Of Fame 2013. Presented by Sam Bush & Peter Rowan.
Friends if you joined us online Thursday night for the IBMA Awards, you saw this remarkable moment and we're pleased to present it in full. Tony Rice is one of the most important bluegrass musicians in history. His guitar playing has influenced more pickers than anyone else. But he was also a beloved singer who sounded like nobody else. For nearly 20 years though, he's not been able to sing due to a complex vocal condition. But here he stuns the IBMA Awards audience with a glimpse of that voice we've loved so dearly and missed so much. Thanks for your patience as we processed this piece and thank you for asking. It was perhaps the most talked about moment of this remarkable week at World of Bluegrass in Raleigh.
Video by Music City Roots.

[@Quamela]

Tony wanted me to let you know how deeply, he appreciates what you wrote, It meant more than you will ever realize. We both send you our heartfelt gratitude, and Loving Best Wishes.

[@tonyeads9142]

I am honestly not sure who would give this video a thumbs down! I am not trying to be terrible, but whoever gave this a thumbs down needs to realize that this guy has been one of the very best singers and musicians that has ever been on this planet! I know that I was just a young man when I first heard Tony Rice sing and play. It was something that influenced me in a very powerful way! It inspired me to pick up a guitar and to really practice and aspire to reach a level of decency! To see him in this manner is very hard! I have missed hearing him sing, and play. He had such a gift and it hurts to see him unable to sing the way that I first heard him. He has not been able to talk or sing for almost 20 years so to hear him in this manner is nothing short of amazing. You guys that gave this video a thumbs down needs to go and look up some old Tony Rice and simply listen to his God given gift. Look up Tony Rice Church street blues then come back here and watch this video with a different set of eyes! God bless you Tony! You are a national treasure!

[@jdbush49]

Was looking at something completely unrelated when I ran across this Tony Rice speech by "accident." (Are there really such things as "accidents"?) I'm a singer/songwriter, and I was diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a vocal cord condition that severely restricts my use of my voice. I have long suspected there is a mental component to the problem. Seeing and hearing Tony use his real voice by what seemed to be sheer willpower (with a strong dose of faith and grace) was more inspirational to me than I can say. It was a true blessing. God Bless you Tony Rice for your courage, grace, generosity, and, of course for sharing your unique talent. You truly are an inspiration to us in so many ways!

[@ZackHarold]

Yes, we miss him but we can be assured of this: Tony's got his voice back now.

[@pedenwilliams825]

Tony was right. Today he gets to express himself poetically in song again... 🥺 Rest easy Mr. Rice

[@austenrobinson2747]

Probably the greatest flat picker to ever hold a pick. The only one that comes close is Clarence White. RIP men you are missed.

[@hartmannmark]

Tony's got his voice back now.

[@annapeyton5605]

I’m crying here. Very touching. Bluegrass won’t be the same without him, but I’m glad he’s in a better place. Rest in heavenly peace Tony.

[@JFK1180]

He has trained his voice partly back. This is such good news and put tears in my eyes. Wonderful. Just wonderful.

[@RonSommers]

RIP - David Anthony Rice (born June 8, 1951 - December 25, 2020)

[@jeffphillipsacoustic]

Over the years Tony has become my musical hero. But after this speech, it is clear that his humanity and gifts are much deeper. He is a true gentleman, in addition to being one of our country's greatest artists.

[@YTSlide]

R.I.P. Mr. Rice.

[@thomasporterjr.5020]

Tony is a national treasure. I met Alison(and Sam Bush) on 11/16/2015 just a couple weeks ago in Nashville and I asked her about Tony Rice, and she told me to my face, Tony is her hero and loves him more than he will ever know. That's a very classy comment about a very classy person. This genre of music has so many "down to earth" and " warm hearted" people. I think is attributed to their strong faith. Sam Bush was also a class act and so nice to talk to.

[@brianriddell1122]

I'm still stunned by the news of his passing. My introduction to bluegrass was in the mid 80's. It was a very small venue in Atlanta. Norman and Nancy Blake opened. It was the Tony Rice Unit. I left that show completely blown away. I had never seen someone pick so well. Nobody can or will ever come even close to Tony's flatpicking style. A true originator! Thank God Tony has left behind such a massive amount of timeless tunes. The Pizza Tapes w/ Garcia and Grisman is a classic example of how he could impress and gel so well in an improv setting with other respected musicians. You sir, will be forever missed!

[@robbychism]

This is what class looks like. God Bless you, Mr. Rice.

[@TaylorGuitarsPlayer]

I needed to come back and watch this again after hearing the news. RIP Tony Rice, you will be missed.

[@bennyshaversmusic590]

Tony is a tremendous loss but know this friends, he needed the rest and time that he took.

[@Gitplicker]

Rest in peace, Tony. What a musician, what a life.

[@1953mel]

I 1st heard Tony Rice in the '70's on my local NPR radio channel...I can remember it like it was tonight...I was on my way to work at 10pm...the song was EMD with David Grisman...I was so stunned that I pulled over to the side of the road to listen...I started playing bluegrass the next day....Tony: you have meant so much to me in the past almost 40 years...thank you.

[@cawarnick]

What a legend! We, no doubt, will see a huge rekindling of Tony Rice guitar playing and appreciation.