What Billy Strings Did With Tony Rice's Guitar

Tony Rice Memorial Day Festival:
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[@LessonsWithMarcel]

As a few commenters have pointed out there are two editing errors in this video. I want to take a second to apologize for them. 1. The brief obituary shown for Clarence White is for the wrong Clarence. If anyone can find a clipping online from back then I'll gladly link to it here. Thank you. 2. During the Lucas interview I show the wrong Snuffy. Apologies again, this is another bluegrass musician with the same name. To see Lucas, with his Grandfather, Snuffy Smith (second from the right), and Stevie Barr click here: lessonswithmarcel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_20230504_202054.jpg Thanks for understanding. I'll fact check more carefully in the future.

[@Working4UNOW]

Bro as Tucker Carlson might say, "That is mighty white of you to acknowledge that you made a mistake," The fact you owned to making a mistake means you are a HONEST person. I am subscribing and turning on notifications. Honestly, no pun intended, you won me over. Have a Bluegrass Day!

[@christopherneil988]

@@Working4UNOW I second that. You did the right thing.

[@Working4UNOW]

@@christopherneil988 Thanks man.

[@jamescrawford8121]

Like so many others I'm sure, I thought I would never get a chance to hear that guitar play again after Tony's passing. When I saw Billy walking out with it, I said to my friend that guitar looks familiar and as he got closer I started to realize what was happening and then I couldn't see anything for the tears in my eyes. I was lucky enough to be 20 feet away or I wouldn't have got to hear it well because of the mic problem. I just stood there eyes closed and just trying to hear every little bit I could. It was a very unexpected treat on a very special night. Big thanks to Doc and Billy for giving me a reason to be there and a big thanks to Tony's family for letting this happen. I rode a hour back home that night by myself listening to Tony's music and tearing up from time to time, made it home only to realize I had to be at work in a couple hours, what a great night.

[@JohnJones22856]

You’re ok now though, right? 🙄

[@brianflynn7598]

glad to hear im not the only grown man crying lol

[@skydog6653]

That guitar is not special, as far as D28’s go. The fact that most recordings featuring it were made by Clarence White and Tony Rice have a lot to do with its notoriety.

[@dougmackenzie5976]

I was fortunate enough to get to play the Clarence White/Tony Rice D-28. Tony was having a fret job done at Hoffman Stringed Instruments, in Raleigh, NC, where I was teaching guitar, at the time. As I came in for my afternoon lessons, I saw Craig Hoffman (the owner and luthier) stick his head out of the shop door. He saw me, and a big grin spread across his face. "Come on in here for a minute", he said, and I walked into the shop. I knew what it was the instant he held it up. Nobody else knew the guitar was there. He showed me the work he'd done (a spectacular fret job), and asked if I wanted to play it. I whipped off my belt, to keep from damaging the guitar, and he handed it to me. It's light as a feather, for a dread'. And the instant I fretted a chord, I could feel the power of the projection of the instrument. I played a few short things on it and gently handed it back to Craig. This was back in '92, before cell phones had cameras. Hell, it was just about the beginning of cell phones. So, I don't have a photo. But, I'll treasure the memory forever.

[@thomaslemon3971]

The crazy thing about this guitar is that there wasn't THAT much magic to it. I don't mean this as an insult to the beautiful guitar, but as a compliment to the late Mr. Rice. It really was his skilled hands that made it sound the way it did. In the hands of a lesser player, it would simply sound like a perfectly broken in old dreadnought. The strong picking of his right hand with his arm wrapped around the tail end of the body, the way that left hand danced around the fretboard...that is the real magic. RIP Tony Rice, my number one guitar hero.

[@jscordoba3]

It's always interesting at the end of "The Pizza Tapes" hearing Jerry Garcia play that guitar. It's almost unrecognizable as the same guitar.

[@thomaslemon3971]

@@jscordoba3 You just blew my mind with that. I must have not noticed or just forgotten about it. I'll have to re-listen!

[@lakelinam5318]

He was My guitar hero to

[@superbroadcaster]

I'm pretty sure that was Clarence White's D-35 before Tony got it, so yes it is a special boy. Even on its own it's a 60's D-35, great player

[@thomaslemon3971]

@@lakelinam5318 Heck yeah. I’m actually more into country than bluegrass, but Rice is just so damn good that I can’t help but be inspired. He has such perfect form that it was almost like a classical violinist.

[@adamgarrett4758]

This is a beautiful story. Thanks Marcel.

[@CambriaCandiceMaria]

Billy Strings must have been in heaven to play this legend's guitar. I'm sure Billy held Tony Rice in high esteem.

[@55TeleMark]

Tears. What an amazing story.

[@michaelmullins1290]

I remember Lucas. Ive wondered where he got off to. This is a great story. I was blessed to have a few Tony events. My favorite was sitting backstage at my local fair. Tony had showed up with the Seldom Scene. Tony, John Duffy came and sat on some bleachers and told me to sit still. I was very obedient and thankful for the stories i got to hear. Thanks Marcel.

[@SoulofAlice]

Tony was a master. I cut my teeth listening to Bluegrass and old Classic Country...yet until I was in attendance at a Bluegrass Festival in Lexington KY, where I saw J.D.Crow n New South, and Tony Rice as a part of them, did I truly begin to have true appreciation of the genre. As I grew older, I learned to truly love, and have absolute respect for what a true, bone -borne talent Tony was. His picking and signature licks were as smooth and soulful enough to bring tears to the eyes!

[@hisdudeness6523]

Fantastic thanks and Tony's legacy should be safe for any that can hear and likes bluegrass. Awesome player and a fine gentlemen. He will be missed for eternity.

[@EarDamageHardcore]

We all know Tony was watching down and smiling that day Billy played his guitar. Thank you for sharing this story man 🙏🏻

[@austonlee9244]

Lucas White and Marcel thank you. Such a cool story, great synchronicity!!! Much appreciated👌🙏💙✨️🎁🎶

[@haztutaki2433]

What a awesome story Tony Rice was my favourite singer and guitarist I would play his stuff over and over so sad to see him depart but he is in a better place now. Letting Billy play it live would of been something special to watch as I think Billy is a clone of Tony Rice musically. Condolences to the Rice Family and close friends of his. RIP

[@bryanmabe9081]

Well I heard myself say my name at the beginning of that video! That was pretty cool. It was also pretty damn cool to be in that room❤ and thanks to Lucas for dragging me along!! Great video

[@austenrobinson2747]

This guitar is priceless. The best to ever hold a pick have had the honor and privilege to play it. It would be neat to have some of the best flat pickers do an album or a video each playing it to honor Tony and Clarence. What a marvelous box and it should be protected

[@gingerbeer914]

Martin reissued this guitar as the D-28 Clarence White model, with the wider soundhole. I tried a used one at my luthier's, but I bought a The Mamas and the Papas Ltd. Ed. because of the Madagascar rosewood and the rarity (only 100 made). I had no idea how many they made of the Clarence White model. This is a demo from 10 years ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imjOq5V8YsqtmpY

[@guitarsword1]

Great story. Nice young man. Crazy history on Tony’s D28.

[@barry1705]

So cool, to see Billy playing Tony Rices guitar. Thank you for the great history time line of the guitar.

[@DannyGussman]

Lucas is a killer player, glad to see him here! I hear him usually with the Bluegrass Heritage, or at Winfield. What a talent!

[@jacksonbradford8845]

I was fortunate enough to see billy in Winston-Salem when he played that guitar. I’m young and didn’t ever get to see Tony play live, but you could feel his spirit in the arena. It was one of the single best 15 minutes of music I’ve ever witnessed

[@KendallRaleigh]

Thank you so much for this story. I paid to stream the show, mainly just to hear the guitar again. The way that Billy carried the guitar on stage with such reverence and care was moving. One knew he was serious when he told the crowd to “ shut the f__k up” There was trouble with the instrument mic, but was still worth every second. I am a bluegrass geek like yourself, and knew there was a really cool back story, thank you for sharing.

[@skoffco]

I got to know Snuffy Smith well. On one occasion I was having my mandolin worked on at his shop, before I left, he said here I’m going to show you something. He goes back into what looked like an underground safe and takes out Tony Rice‘s guitar and handed it to me. I’ll never forget that day as long as I live.

[@davewoelkers6189]

My favorite bluegrass channel by far. I appreciate the passion and effort in every thing you do brother thanks.

[@chiprenner]

Tony Rice was an amazing musician.miss his smooth playing.

[@TheViralWizard]

Your videos are always so clear and informative!!! Thanks marcel!

[@Dabebo-xk2bt]

Love Billy Strings magic on any guitar, awesome story.

[@Iowaclass65]

TR is greatly still missed! Thanks for this video!!

[@tinmannamerhs]

Great story, cool guitar. Tony is the man. RIP to a legend.

[@zanerkohl]

Marcel at it again with a stellar video! A piece of art, a piece of history, a piece of entertainment, just wow. Best content creator. Couldn't put my phone down.

[@chrisk8376]

Excellent presentation Marcel, you filled in a lot of blanks, that guitar certainly has survived a lot of tragedy. Maybe someday you'll be in the right place at the right time and get to play it too. It's obvious how much you loved and admired Tony I hope that plays out for you one day.

[@banjoyBoy]

This is most excellent!! Thank you Marcel for taking time and caring enough to put this together.

[@vonarndt111]

Fascinating, touching, and just plain entertaining. Thanks Marcel

[@als1023]

Same thoughts, very happy to hear this story through Marcel !! Best Wishes !!

[@jscordoba3]

Tony was really generous letting people play that guitar. A highschool friend went to college with one of Tonys protégés. I wont say who, but its probably not hard to figure out. They were at a bluegrass festival in ohio that Tony was playing, and Tony hung out with them in their hotel room for several hours. They all got to play the guitar and they took pleanty of pictures. Was happy for my friend, but mightily jealous

[@southtexashombre847]

Chris Eldridge by chance?

[@jscordoba3]

@@southtexashombre847 ...Maybe 😁

[@tomabbot7324]

No other guitar like it in the world.

[@georgeorgeo]

Thanks Marcel, your channel is a gem.

[@kennyborek.satsopcityboy..1090]

Cool story ... ❤️ Billy is coming through Seattle here in a couple Months , might be able to see that , I sure would like to see this old guitar . 👍

[@anguspearson1]

What a charming and fascinating story!

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

Now That was an interesting video,Tony's music has brought me much joy over the years,Thanks For Sharing

[@TyeeHox]

Wow, powerful story thanks. I'm getting old and sentimental, had me teared up all the way through. I sure miss my '48 D28, my biggest instrument mistake was to sell it. My '51 D18 is why, before I knew you could have more than one and of course now I have 15.

[@TNTMan93]

Great documentary and research, loved it. And dang, that remix at 1:53 slaps bro!

[@davekochanski]

This was such a great story and answered a lot of questions. Thanks so much!

[@jazzmandolin5004]

TR let me play that guitar with no hesitation at the Grass of 80 in DC. Nice guitar and TR was a gentlemen

[@jonwelge6782]

No, what you’re hearing is a fully opened up vintage D-28 Martin with a billion repairs, and a modified sound hole and fretboard. It’s like Trigger. Saying it doesn’t have a unique sound is sacrilegious.

[@tedd8055]

What an awesome story!

[@9ramthebuffs9]

If nothing else its cool to hear someone with a very different style play one of the most famous guitars in the world.

[@riceflatpicking4954]

Jerry Garcia plays it on the full pizza Tapes release where they include all the talking in between songs

[@dylanmcleod6106]

Arguably my favorite part of the cd…

[@ShockwaveZero]

beautiful video man. i can tell you poured your heart and soul into it. cheers

[@bornmuser215]

look at my guy Marcel with 300k+ views on this vid as of this writing. this channel has come such a long way, super stoked to see it grow like this. consistently high quality.

[@stephen_jc]

Beautiful video

[@billtaylor4897]

Fantastic story !

[@edwardrichard2561]

Bro it’s 80 bucks for both days. You can’t beat that price. I can’t make it this year but for sure next. Thanks for the info.

[@glenguldbeckmusic3410]

What a great story, Marcel. Thanks, man!!

[@jayheinz4624]

Marcel, I really enjoyed this! and I appreciate that you got the facts straight from the source!👍🙏 Tony Rices guitar-playing highly influenced my bluegrass playing. 🐦I also love guitars and love the history of them!🎸🎶

[@jasonh.8362]

Really enjoyed this whole thing man! Great job to all involved.

[@janprimus]

That is a great story Marcel! Nice work brother! ❤💪🔥

[@Riffsnruckus]

I was at that show Billy played it at. I have the uncut foil it’s my favorite from all the shows because of the meaning behind it with Tony Rice guitar and Doc’s 100th birthday it’s right over my desk as a focal point of how much that show meant. Wish it would let me post a pic of it on here

[@5150show]

Incredible

[@dougpotosky4102]

Thanks Billy! For keeping it real. And the others who know who they are!

[@ws8061]

I know it's not easy compiling all this information, really appreciate it

[@allenhughes60]

Please release a full version of the remix at the beginning.

[@IsaiahKeiser]

100%. That was fucking sick

[@zefarmer]

Yes, please, that was awesome!

[@LessonsWithMarcel]

Here's the old Tony Rice remixes to hold you over: kzbin.info/aero/PLbc213p6S24POnd9ZPZ10FTY1YPL9UXn8

[@allenhughes60]

@@LessonsWithMarcel 👌

[@stevenqirkle]

I missed the news the Tony passed, so just learning about this now. I’m listening to Church Street Blues right now, with tear in my eye.

[@ChrisPlaysBluegrass]

Awesome video, Marcel! I met Lucas at the Texas State flatpicking championships a couple of years ago.

[@petergustafson7446]

RIP Tony Rice.

[@jvjv8715]

blessed to be front row for this performance :)

[@kosemkamtsan]

Nice to hear the guitar is accounted for. But Where's Tony's final resting place? I Can't be the only one who wants to visit T, say thanks and shed some tears.

[@0066keith]

Good to see that clip of Tony with Mountain Heart, playing along side local native Aaron Ramsey. Recorded at our local fester, Red, White, and Bluegrass in Morganton N.C.

[@joshporter08]

Such a great video! Thanks for sharing the real story

[@bobc1836]

Thanks Marcel for making this video.

[@Tom_the_great]

Thanks for sharing Marcel. ✌🏼

[@Gutslinger]

When I first clicked on this video, I had no clue who Tony Rice was, nor did I know anything about the guitar. Then this video enlightened me that I have indeed seen and heard the guitar many times before on the Andy Griffith Show.. I didn't know that guitar was that treasured.

[@steveg.3022]

Awesome! Thanks for researching this and posting it.

[@zallure37]

Thank you so much for this.

[@bustedfender]

All guitars are basically made of firewood. If you’re lucky, you’ll get one that gives back 99% of what you put into it.

[@okeefe60]

Great story thanks. The recording session Tony Rice played on with his just purchased CW guitar with Grisman was a McGarrigle Sisters album. Thanks again.

[@LessonsWithMarcel]

That's interesting, I've heard that but I've also heard the James Taylor story? I think the James Taylor story is even in the TR book. Do you have a source for the McGarrigle version of the story?

[@musicofanatic]

@@LessonsWithMarcel I thought the McGarrigle story was in the book. Gonna hafta figure out who I last loaned that book to and have a look!

[@MichaelMarkGuitar]

Oh wait, the McGarrigle sisters were in that studio at the same time Gorilla was being recorded. He probably just mentioned JT as the reason for David being there and played on the McGarrigle album. "Buying the legendary herringbone proved easier than playing it, at least at first. “It had action like a Dobro,” Rice laughs. “Although, I did a session the day I got it. It was just a coincidence. [David] Grisman was in L.A. doing a session, playing on James Taylor’s Gorilla album, on the day when I got the guitar. So Grisman came to the airport and got me and took me over to the studio. I had just picked the guitar up an hour ago! I opened the case and started fooling around with it, even though the action was like that,” Rice says, spreading his thumb and forefinger a half an inch apart. “And Kate and Anna McGarrigle were there, doing this album for Warner Bros. I was out in the hall of the studio, tinkering around, just diggin’ on the tone. But Grisman and the producer came out to hear me tinkerin’ around with it, and said, ‘Hey, man, we’ve got to have you on this stuff! We’ve got to have you play on a couple of these tracks!’ And I thought, ‘Well, OK, but this is the only instrument I’ve got.’ Then Grisman chimed in, ‘Hey, man, it worked for Clarence. Get in there and do it!’”

[@LessonsWithMarcel]

Excellent work! Mystery solved.

[@m.c.master4622]

@@MichaelMarkGuitar , I know the book this quote is from, but I think it would be nice if you mentioned it here.

[@modelcitizen1977]

That editing groove was really sick.

[@Zappafrank55]

Hey Marcel, I think you need to dive into how Rice’s guitar was recorded in the studio. Check with Billy Wolf for more information. Billy told me Tony preferred using two Neumann KM-86 (MoTown vocal mics) for his studio recordings. Would be a very cool presentation as it hasn’t been touched on before. Recording this legendary guitar is just as important as the Man who played it.

[@jameslifetimelearner]

I was riveted during this story and filled with inspiration and teary eyes

[@f5mando]

Great video. Thanks to Marcel and Lucas.

[@jerryhilliard4233]

Mountain Heart was a band that formed at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City Tn

[@waylonfingers]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@alimac1469]

Fascinating! Thank you

[@hapwichryk]

"Pops" White? You are a slick editor!!😂😂

[@stevefrost6329]

Gene Parsons invented and built the B-Bender, maybe Clarence provided the impetus.

[@_rob_.]

History. Thank you.

[@LeePayne2310]

I grew up next door to Tony, in reidsville nc. I got to hear that guitar every evening that it wasn't hotter than 90 or colder than 55 outside. I could hear Tony play it while I kicked soccer balls against my house. 😂

[@waxcritic]

“Are you living ok? Is your soul ok?” Interesting questions.

[@LuckyInCards]

Marcel, you are a great story teller ❤

[@KB_-_]

I love the dramatization of “getting and email” 😂

[@LessonsWithMarcel]

I'm glad someone sees the humor in that haha.

[@drender19]

Very interesting story - thanks for doing this!

[@Billy-yh5om]

This content creator said Clarence White invented the B Bender. Not quite. Clarence's drummer invented the B Bender.

[@chasescott6673]

I was there! So awesome

[@RonDuligi]

Another great video. This channel just keeps getting better haha!

[@Becker333]

Didn’t even know Tony Rice passed….gotta pull out the old vinyls🙏

[@azcharlie2009]

Great, great video, Marcel.... Wow!

[@lukeb1751]

Again proof that there's no point in speculating. The truth always comes out. No point looking like a fool when the truth surfaces. Thanks for telling the story on this amazing guitar

[@CncObsession]

Great interview and share.

[@macehead]

+1 synergy👍🏻

[@blucheer8743]

Tony just died too young he still had a lot to contribute sad…

[@JeffMonkman]

Great video. Thank you

[@dadahar2]

Would Billy put a volume knobs where the pellet hole is?

[@ashleybishton742]

Billy strings deserves the guitar now on him

[@olebanjolip618]

had to flex that you could solve the rubix cube