Touring with Tony Rice

I saw Tony at the DAR Constitution Hall in DC and he was like a hired gunslinger, his thin frame supporting a nicely tailored Yves St. Laurent suit a designer silk tie, and a killer pair lizard Lucchese boots, with "The Antique" over his shoulder effortlessly and routinely blowing everyone in the venue totally away. What a player!

Saw Tony Rice live at the Red Mile Racecourse in Lexington, KY around 1992 or '93. Meticulous is the word to describe everything about Tony. I was just blown away at how cleanly he played. He also stood stock still the whole show and just played and sang....nothing flashy, just pure perfection.

I miss Tony. I drove over the BR parkway just today with my 8 year old girl from Weaverville to Asheville where we live. Tony Rice was on the playlist. All the hits. I told her about him and how much being around him meant to me. She said “is that why you named our kitty Tiny Rice?” Chokes me up. What an honor being anywhere near him over the years.

I got to see the Tony Rice unit a few times as well as a couple of shows with Tony and Norman Blake. The records those two put out together are phenomenal. Oh, and also the pizza tapes with Jerry Garcia and David Grisman is a must listen.

I first saw Tony Rice play in 1972 at a Holiday Inn lounge in Lexington, Ky. J.D. Crowe and The New South had a regular gig there and the place was packed every night. The band members were J.D., Tony, Larry Rice and Bobby Slone. Tony was just 21 and his playing and singing were out of this world. One night Stephen Stills and Chris Hillman sat in with the band for 2 or 3 songs. Tony sat a table as Stills played fingerstyle slide on Tony's guitar. Tony didn't seem very enthusiastic about Stills playing bottleneck on his guitar. Twice he asked him "Do you want a pick?" Tony and J. D. Crowe and The New South moved to the lounge at The Sheraton in 1974 with new members Ricky Skaggs on mandolin and Jerry Douglas on dobro. I saw them there several times and they were absolutely phenomenal.

Saw him by himself at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in the late spring of 2004. There were over a dozen acts that day. It was bizarre hearing him on his own, but it was great. Peter Rowan joined him later for a couple of songs. Tony said, “why don’t we play Greenlight On The Southern?” Rowan says, “you got it baby!” I’ll never forget Tony looked at him super confused and he said surprised in his gruff voice, “BABY?!” The whole audience cracked up. Later in the night he jammed on stage with JD Crowe and The New South. It was a highlight for sure.

Was fortunate to see Tony numerous times from the late 80s on. Thanks for posting.

I'm sorry i never saw Tony. He was incredible. Mike is a fantastic guest, more if possible!

Thanks for this Otis! I really love hearing Mike talk about Tony. He will always remain my all time favorite guitarist! I love hearing stories about his life. Thank you!

Mike Bubb is such a great raconteur--the ultimate storyteller, sound effects and all. He played bass on an album I made down in Nashville in 2007. After the sessions he would regale us with stories, just hanging out. Love you Bubby!

Thanks so much for doing this one!! We don’t get to hear much about Tony outside the bluegrass circle.

Being allowed to tag along with the Burleson family to see Tony at places The Downhome in the late 80's is some of the best live music I've ever seen. Years later after Jason was playing banjo with Blue Highway they did a show in Bristol with Tony where Shawn Lane sung all Tony's parts. It was the second to last time I ever saw him but a show I'll never forget. I still listen to Tony Rice every day and will until I'm gone.

Enjoyed this! The Bluegrass Album Band recordings will always be the gold standard of Bluegrass to my ears. Musical perfection in every way. It just doesn't get any better!

Mike has the best stories!

I worked a Bluegrass Festival in Va Beach around 1985. Tony drove up in a Continental. His wife/fiance told me he always drives. She said he played jazz at home for fun.

I saw Tony in 1994 at IBMA. He had just had vocal cord surgery and couldn’t talk. Sam Bush and Tim O’Brien did the lead vocals. Whoever did the singing played mandolin and the other would play fiddle. Bela Fleck played banjo, Jerry Douglas played dobro and Todd Phillips played bass. Rice stood still and just tore it up. It was amazing.

I remember being at a bluegrass festivile here in NC and Tony was late by just a minute or two and he pulls in driving an old black cadilac it was a great show as all his shows were.

thank you for this video! I met Mike back around the early 80's and we've been friends ever since. he played banjo back the and was about to move on when I was hired too take his place. great guy and friend! I never heard him say why he moved from banjo to bass, he was wicked good banjo player!

Mike, that band was The Farewell Drifters! I could tell it was on the tip of your tongue 🙂 That show in Clayton NY is one we'll never forget for a number of reasons.

Mike is the man. Saw him with Peter this last summer in Telluride.