Tony Rice
June 9, 1951 - December 25, 2020
Remembering Tony Rice
A message from Harry Bickel remembers Tony Rice & his role in Louisville's thriving Bluegrass scene
Happy New Year to you. It’s got to be better than last year. I hope you’re doing well.
I’m sure you heard about Tony Rice. It’s real sad but it’s no surprise. I talked to him in the past year or so and he seemed to be doing well. I’m not totally sure what happened.
I sent the following out to my jam group. I thought you might want to send it to yours.
Harry
A Video Tribute to Tony Rice
To all,
Unless you were there, it is difficult to understand the Bluegrass Music scene in Louisville and Lexington from the mid-1960s through the 1970s. There was nothing quite like it anywhere else. Many of the best acoustic musicians in the country lived here. Tony Rice was a big part of that scene. I thought some of you might like to see some really good videos of Tony over the years.
Tony moved to Louisville in 1970, at the age of 19, to play with the Bluegrass Alliance. The band at that time included Sam Bush, Courtney Johnson, Ebo Walker and Lonnie Pierce. The first three of those would go on to form the Newgrass Revival.
The Bluegrass Alliance
The Seekerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPdDt0zedm8
Whisper Your Namehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92w7nRIxbIc&list=RDHPdDt0zedm8&index=2
Tony left the Alliance to join J.D. Crowe & the New South in Lexington, Kentucky. Members of that band included J.D., Tony, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglass and Bobby Slone. That band was a game changer in the world of Bluegrass. Their album, Rounder 0044, is still considered one of the most important albums in the history of Bluegrass Music.
J.D. Crowe & the New South
The Old Home Placehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK0iMLvCfFM&list=RDPy9ZPX-8CUE&index=3
The Nine Pound Hammerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfaclUfJuI4&list=RDPy9ZPX-8CUE&index=8
Around 1975 Tony left the New South and moved to the west coast to play with David Grisman. Over the years Tony played with various groups, including his own Tony Rice Unit. In 1994 Tony developed a vocal disorder and was forced to quit singing. A number of years later, problems with his right arm forced him to quit playing guitar. Since then, he has lived in relative seclusion in North Carolina with his wife Pam.
Below are some additional videos of Tony over the years. Once you get to a video in YouTube, you will find other examples to go along with it. If you only have time to watch one video, watch Church Street Blues. It shows you what Tony’s guitar playing was like up close.
Where the Soul of Man Never Dies-Tony Rice and Ricky Skaggshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSc1205qlX8
Church Street Blues-from An Intimate Lesson with Tony Rice-1984 Homespun Tapeshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JFgC3Ub10E
The Early Mornin’ Rain-The Tony Rice Band-Berkshire, 1985https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=608tDKO6aL0&list=RD608tDKO6aL0&index=1
The Last Thing On My Mind-from the album Church Street Blues-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0M_RTqP9Ms
Here is a good article about Tony that just appeared in Rolling Stone Magazine
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/tony-rice-bluegrass-music-legacy-1108100/
There are many, many more examples of Tony’s playing and singing available on the internet and via records and downloads. I would encourage people to explore some of them. Few people have left their mark on the music world like Tony Rice. He was a good person, a good friend and a great musician. Rest in Peace old friend.
Enjoy Tony's Music this Sunday, WFPK at 6pm
If you're craving some of Tony's music, tune in to Aaron Bibelhauser's Bluegrass Evolution Sunday at 6pm on WFPK 91.9. Aaron always has great music for us, but this weeks selections will feature lots of Tony's tunes.
Berkley O. "Berk" Bryant Passes
Berkley O. "Berk"Bryant 90, long-time resident of Radcliff, KY, and a 30-year bluegrass radio icon on Louisville public radio, passed away suddenly December 24, 2020, after a period of declining health. Read more about his rich career and the music he brought Louisville bluegrass fans over the years.
Louisville Folk School New Winter Classes
Now Enrolling! - A letter from Dave Howard
Welcome to one of our largest and most exciting collections of classes in the 6-year history of the Folk School! We have 15 of the best instructors around teaching 28 unique, virtual group classes:
You'll find everything from beginner to advanced instrument classes, repertoire classes ranging from Classic Bluegrass, Irish Pub Songs, Country Duets, Songs of Tom T. Hall, and an Almost Bluegrass class!
We have new guitar classes, such as Country Blues Fingerstyle Guitar, Flatpicking KY Fiddle Tune Favorites, and our first electric guitar friendly class: Grateful Dead Guitar (also appropriate for acoustic players, of course).
Lily Lyons is back with her Songwriting Workshop for experienced or beginning songsmiths!
New string instrument classes include Bluegrass Banjo Favorites, Electric Bass for Bluegrass and Country Music, Contra and Square Dance tunes for Clawhammer Banjo, Kentucky Fiddle Tune favorites for Clawhammer Banjo, and Bill Monroe Mandolin.
Our fiddle classes continue to be some of our most popular classes. We have an Irish Fiddle, and two old-time fiddle classes this session - and Cheyenne Mize is guest teaching the advanced old-time fiddle repertoire class this Winter.
We are offering beginner group classes on guitar, bluegrass and clawhammer banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and songwriting, and our private fiddle instructors are eager to help you get started on fiddle in one-on-one lessons. If you're looking for a beginner fiddle track, just sign up for 6 or more private lessons with one of our fiddle teachers and automatically get a 10% discount on the package of lessons! We are extending that package deal to all private lessons for a limited time - just enroll in 6 or more and the discount will occur automatically when you check out online.
All of our group classes are listed below with links to the registration page on our website. Sign up early - our winter session typically sells out earlier than any other session, and we have the early bird discount in effect now!
I hope you'll join us for a class this winter. We are very thankful to have you in our community and appreciate all of your support this year.
With gratitude,
Dave Howard
Louisville Folk School
View Available Classes
Browse all classes by instrument at the links below, or click the button to see all our Fall 2020 classes.
Our Mission
Bluegrass Anonymous, Louisville’s Bluegrass Music Association, is dedicated to promoting and supporting bluegrass music, preserving its tradition, and nurturing its growth by providing inclusive opportunities for pickin’, singin’, and listenin’.
So Welcome!
There's lots to see here. So, take your time, look around. We hope you'll enjoy our site, and take a moment to drop us a line. Looking for great local and regional festivals? Check our Festivals page for the latest Regional Bluegrass fun. Looking for a jam? Check our Events Calendar for a list for repeating area open jams! Want to book a band? Visit our Artists page, and lots more. We're glad you're here.
