Tony Rice Unit - Merlefest 2012

Tony Rice Unit
Merlefest - Wilkes Community College, NC
Saturday, April 28 2012
Track Listing:
0:26 - My Favorite Things
11:26 - Blue Railroad Train
15:06 - Big Country
23:09 - I Am a Pilgrim
33:38 - Shadows
38:10 - Shady Grove
50:02 - Wayfaring Stranger
1:01:42 - Nine Pound Hammer
Tony Rice Unit is:
Tony Rice - Guitar
Wyatt Rice - Guitar
Josh Williams - Mandolin, Vocals
Mark Schatz - Bass
Bryan McDowell - Fiddle
Saved from the 2020 re-stream of Merlefest 2012
Please support the artists and the festival

[@mistahcoughdrop]

Sad to lose this graceful giant. Rest in peace, Tony Rice.

[@phil36135]

t think it was 1996 when I seen him at Merlefest. He had Sam bush,Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Mark Oconner, and Mark Shatz with him. To me he was hus best in that tine frame. It was the best concert Ive ever seen, Tony was still singing then. I have heard Tony perform over a dozen times, before and after that show. But the 96 show was the best by far. He was simply amazing everytime he picked up his guitar. They will never be another musician on his level. RIP Tony

[@johns.4152]

When he was at the pinnacle of his career and could have done anything he wanted, he called together arguably the greatest group of bluegrass musicians ever assembled and recorded the bluegrass standards. This man will always be a legend.

[@m.c.master4622]

I miss him every day.

[@nancychace8619]

Just heard the news of Tony's passing. Shocked. RIP.

[@steevee1945]

I was only going to listen to a part of the first song. My, how the hour passed so quickly.

[@Kevin-bp2cw]

... ha , I know exactly what you mean my friend.

[@mikerevels3452]

Meet Tony twice , he was great ,talked behind stage burned a good one i growed I miss him .one and only great man

[@mikerevels3452]

Grisman was there also we shared

[@bluarcher5941]

Certainly doing Grisman justice on the mandolin....great stuff by all... :)

[@JanLarsenFredriksen]

The great Tony Rice R.I.P.

[@malcolmbruce9753]

Wow, what a loss. One of the all time greats. RIP Tony. Thanks for offering this. Bringing a tear to my eye.

[@dandrecksage1265]

Brilliant. I've been a fan of Tony's for many years, and just came across this concert tonight. Wonderful ensemble playing, jazz as much as country, or old-time music, or whatever other word you want to put to it. Just good music, nourishment for the soul.

[@pamgadd685]

Well said :).

[@katherinefox3909]

He called it Spacegrass.

[@skylersojka6742]

Jazz?

[@shmulik345]

Wow... thank you for uploading this!!!

[@FirstPresGreevilleSC]

Few of my favorite things- as an opener is on point

[@MrEvergreenLayne]

That melody really cuts through don’t it

[@benjaminvandenbroek8316]

Rest in Power, Tony. You absolutely changed the game for all of us.

[@davidhoxit4274]

Beautiful and wondrous footage! Thank you for sharing sir!!

[@MisterNiles]

If you put the word "unit" in your band name in the 70s and 80s, it meant you could play real good.

[@writerrad]

Gone but never leaving, just try to do any as seriously as he played music

[@johnholland723]

Yes indeed. Very observant of you my friend

[@Quamela]

We send you love and appreciation for your comments. Tony Rice family.

[@davidlewis4633]

So beautiful.

[@jeffleffingwell8583]

one of the best ever

[@mikebastiat]

Wyatt Rice is the bossman on bluegrass rhythm guitar.

[@davea2960]

killer player.

[@frankd.506]

Tonys the reason I traveled from Illinois to Merlefest for many years ,Heard Tony on a college radio show if memory serves came out of Frisco and it was all over ,Bela Sam and Flux along with about thousand others all came down to me hearing this amazing guitar player.

[@mponsot]

I was there. Mesmerized.

[@ericmuller2563]

u are a lucky man!

[@miketurnipseed7380]

I was too...Right down front.

[@michaelmullins1290]

At his worst, he was better than most who try. He was deteriorating some at this point. He pointed it out himself. A real musician. I got to talk with him backstage a few times. What a gentleman. Absolutely tried to help me.

[@Kevin-bp2cw]

thats what always came across to me as well, I'd never met him or see him in concert but he always seemed like such a gentleman, always the tie and jacket , a pen in the breast pocket so he could sign your CDs and whatever ,I'm guessing here but it would have been in character with the man.

[@robertmarcum3917]

Remember Tony when He played w JD Crowe arround Lexington, KY in the mid 1970s along with Rickey and Bella

[@eddiefaris7639]

josh williams is killin it just not the sound crew. tony's break on nine pound hammer is still in the 160 hz fog

[@jimmyblues59m76]

Heaven just got another wonderful musician. RIP Tony...

[@merlynschutterle7242]

That is if you believe in Heaven. HIs guitar isn't there with him.

[@buzznatzke2996]

@@merlynschutterle7242 The man is the instrument, the guitar is just the means.

[@dawgman1968]

With all the great bluegrass musicians we have lost in the last few years, can you imagine what a damn amazing band is playing in heaven every night?? Just to name a few, Tony, Earl, Dr Ralph, Keith Whitney, John Duffy, Doc Watson, Jimmy Martin, Lester, Chubby Wise, and of course Bill Monroe.... as well as too many other to list... What sets they must have...

[@sheckyfeinstein]

Then along comes Billy Strings.

[@stevepennington7879]

Never had an opportunity to see Tony in person. But I have listened to hours upon hours of his music. In my opinion, simply the best.

[@als1023]

Same

[@donnieparsell7959]

Amazing, Besides Tony's great playing, Josh's mandolin and Bryan Mc Dowell's fiddle was awesome

[@Joe1935429]

This man had his music in his bones before he could do anything with a guitar. We hear the word 'icon' used a lot these days, and I should say misused a lot. It applies here. The combination and intertwining of Bluegrass, blues, jazz, and country is so natural we are almost unaware of it. His music defines the word sweet. Like a sunset, it's gone before you know it. Bless you, man, and those who love you!

[@BofaD.Snuts90210]

Best tribute I’ve seen. Amen, brother!

[@jaretcarter5824]

Just so happy that I lived to hear and experience this irreplaceable icon! My ears have never heard an equal on acoustic guitar and I don't believe I ever will

[@RobbyLakeMusic]

Treasure.... 🙏

[@94757598494309438]

Merle has been gone so long, it's as if his passing were a distant memory, I am still missing Doc, but it makes me quite sad, and even a little scared, that I will never see Tony Rice at MerleFest again.....

[@johnhank724]

Bluegrass? No banjo? Coltrane? You better believe it. RIP Tony

[@codyeynon8467]

Tony Rice absolutely deserves all the accolades he receives. Everyone on stage with him is also top tier.

[@martymcpeak4748]

Tony really held Josh in high regard. I can't blame him Mr. Williams is unbelievable...and whomever the camera man was needs to find another job, they don't seem where stage left is. Wyatt's solos weren't even seen hardly at all.

[@dinahmenard7289]

Another GREAT has passed....

[@joelhenderson5404]

Its ashame had everything the greatest flat top picker every and threw it away for dope rip.

[@Bluegrasshero]

Tony Rice is the greatest American musician of all time. A grandmaster who played with the likes of Stefane Grapelli. His accomplishments in jazz are equally as important as those in bluegrass. Tony Rice and the Rice Brothers will always be a National Treasure and loved by people worldwide. Thankyou Wyatt, Tony, Larry and Ron for increasing the quality of my life.

[@Life-of-Bluegrass_Music]

He isn't the greatest musician of all time. Tony was a great guitarist, for sure. Tony Rice is in my top 2 as a flat guitar picker. Has far as musician. Like you said, he's no Mr. Bill Monroe. The Grandfather of Bluegrass Music. A creator of a music. The roots of American music. Country, Blues, Rock, arrived from etc...

[@travisbryson4744]

I’m trying to figure out why I’m just now finding this. Awesomeness.

[@joeshea1010]

what a gift he left us with this

[@ericmuller2563]

No human could play guitar like that, w/o God guiding his fingers.Praise HIM , Mr Rice is gifted by God ; id kill to be able to play like that...Thanks for sharing it🛐🎸🎵🔥📀 wow!!!!!!

[@lukedaymusic4585]

ok... I guess Clarence White and Jimmy Martin are gods then.

[@handsomedevil4928]

@@lukedaymusic4585 I wouldn’t call them any better than Rice

[@lukedaymusic4585]

@@handsomedevil4928 I agree, only that I was answering the above. These are the guys that guided his hand. I don't believe in the traditional God figure so I was just trying to be clever.

[@gtamir613]

The first tune reminds me of Whipping Post by the ABB.

[@bobbo1946]

classic 60's tune ..coltrane did a great version..'my favorite things'..from the film 'a taste of honey'...kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4iqY5epjbtofqs

[@lukedaymusic4585]

Mark's face at 8:55 and that beautiful chord!!

[@troyalcorn1184]

:) and :( and :) and :( . :( because i want more.

[@gotaplay]

RIP Tony Truly a legend , was a pleasure to know you ..

[@timothybrawley7909]

Tony Rice was and will always be one of my heroes of music. No one will ever be able to do as great as he was on guitar. He had a style of his on. He changed the way a lot of people look at bluegrass. Tim from Yadkinville,N.C..

[@timothybrawley7909]

There's not really any need to thank me for my comments. I just tell it like it is. Tony Rice will be missed by all who loved his music as well as his friends and family. I hope that the Rice bros will carry on with his memory and music. God bless them all!

[@twestcase]

what it must be like for the other players when Tony Rice says, "yeah, go ahead!" (keep playing). So much good music Tony & his compatriots left us. Thank you Tony.

[@francoisvola3611]

Thanks for loading this up!

[@JohnHicksPicks]

These full performances are the best. There’s just an endless wealth of learning in these by listening

[@Mandoslicer]

I miss The Man,

[@davidrasmussen5537]

RIP Tony . . . your music will live on forever.

[@jimSTRATemblin]

This reminds me of Impressions.

[@ryanhong4776]

The pretty specialist climatologically remain because daisy rheologically wreck after a equable australian. cool, abashed child

[@leandrojesusrodrigue]

Brazilian music is great, but I must admit that none comes close to Tony Rice...Descanse em Paz

[@eddiefaris7639]

sounds like SE systems to me. they always feed back at this show with Tony it seems

[@amieok]

RIP Tony.

[@polyoud]

yes Nancy ! great loss....:((((

[@jamesmccarthy5086]

I’m just wondering did tony ever sing or at least try to sing after 1994

[@carolayala9868]

What an amazingly gifted artist. One of a kind. Thankful to have experienced some live concerts.

[@merlynschutterle7242]

The sad part is that he could sing too. Cigarettes took that away as well. There is a lesson here somewhere.

[@lukedaymusic4585]

oh boy... if you listen to the whole thing it really washes over you xxx

[@bobbo1946]

economy of motion..

[@davidhoxit4274]

I enjoyed this performance! Thanks to anyone who had a hand in it's production!

[@troyalcorn1184]

IDK how someone from California can pretend to be from here. Somehow he made me trust it but i still don't trust others to be honest like he tried to be.

[@lukedaymusic4585]

wtf are you trying to say? He was a musician. Period.

[@miketurnipseed7380]

I was at this show, Magical! One question though -> What 4 idiots gave this a thumbs down???

[@JimboJazz]

Sound quality is compressed.Music beyond reproach😎

[@miketurnipseed7380]

@@JimboJazz I get that but it is You Tube. That's why we still have vinyl!

[@JimboJazz]

@@miketurnipseed7380 Cool ...Where is the LP of this show?

[@miketurnipseed7380]

@@JimboJazz There isn't an LP of this as far as I know. My comment about vinyl was more in general and not specifically about this show. I wish there was!

[@miketurnipseed7380]

In fact finding any TR on vinyl right now with his passing is getting difficult...

[@wordgeezer]

Music by any other name is still music, be it Bluegrass or Bach ~

[@highlonesome-coloradobluegrass]

So awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@jonathanbrazee3846]

It's not the unit without Ricky and Jimmy.

[@Life-of-Bluegrass_Music]

Tony Rice is my 2nd best favorite guitar picker in the world. RIP TONY RICE TRULY MISSED AND LOVED.

[@merlynschutterle7242]

Maybe the most accomplished flat picker ever. Clarence White may have been better because his smooth technique.Tony was beyond amazing.Tomy knew what the guitar had to say and he knew how to let it speak.

[@SmiTTyy-sh8nc]

!n my humble opinion I think Tony surpassed Clarence. But I'm bias, I grew up with the New South album being played at every opportunity my dad was home !! Tony was the total package.He set a standard. A True professional musician who has influenced all bluegrass guitarist's. He changed bluegrass music !! I've stood in the pouring rain to hear him play at festivals and would again anytime... R.I.P. Mr. Tony Rice 🙏

[@merlynschutterle7242]

@@SmiTTyy-sh8nc They were different guitar players who played different styles. We can't really compare them. Tony had a lot of respect for Clarence. I have some Tony DVD lessons. He is amazing. No, I am not going to learn them, but I love to see how it's done.

[@eddiefaris7639]

146.! during shadows! come on...

[@eddiefaris7639]

might be monitors just sayin

[@nerse6363]

Thanks for share😊

[@billlowe6883]

Tony inspired many

[@小川仁朗]

涙が止まらない🥲💦💦💦

[@eddiefaris7639]

at 49.40 its 160

[@johnlehndorff4984]

RIP Tony

[@petefeltman]

This wasnt Tony's last public performance was it?

[@petefeltman]

@Daniel Collins thanks for curing my curiosity