Tony Rice, known as one of the main legends of 1970s bluegrass music, died on Christmas Day at age 69.
The International Bluegrass Music Association confirmed the news in a statement provided to Fox News.
“It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to one of the most iconic voices and musicians in the history of bluegrass. David Anthony ‘Tony’ Rice passed away at his home in Reidsville, NC,” says the statement in part. “For those of us who are fortunate enough to know and listen to Mr. Rice, it is an impossible task to put into words his infinite skill and influence. As a singer, songwriter and guitarist, there are few who will match his impact on bluegrass and acoustic music. . “
The artist’s former label, Rounder Records, further praised the music legend in a Facebook statement.
“We were all deeply saddened by the news of Tony Rice’s sudden death on Christmas Day, and we offer our deepest condolences to his loved ones and his many fans. May he rest in peace,” says the post.
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Rice was perhaps best known for playing with the band New South alongside Ricky Skaggs. Skaggs was among the group of musicians who shared his thoughts on Rice’s career and influence after news of his passing.
“Tony Rice was the most influential acoustic guitarist of the past 50 years. Many, if not all, today’s Bluegrass guitarists would say they started playing Tony Rice’s music. He loved hearing the next generation musicians play his licks. I think it was then he got more joy as a player “, wrote Skaggs on Facebook.
Bluegrass legend Tony Rice died at age 69 on Christmas Day.
(Stephen A. Ide / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images)
He continued, “Tony was not only a brilliant guitarist, but also one of the most stylized lead vocalists in the history of Bluegrass music. When I joined The New South in 1974, I knew I had found a singing soul mate with Tony. In 1980, we recorded the album “Skaggs And Rice” for Sugar Hill as a tribute to our duet heroes with just the simplicity of the guitar, mandolin and our voices. All these years later, people tell me how the purity of that record still touches their hearts. That’s who Tony was, a singer with a heart. “
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According to Variety, Rice was a member of JD Crowe’s New South in the early 1970s before joining Skaggs. He later performed with a myriad of groups and even led a few, like The Tony Rice Unit. He also stood out for his work with banjo player Bela Fleck and Jerry Garcia.
The exit reports that Rice’s induction in 2013 to the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame was the last time he played guitar publicly because of a medical condition that made it difficult to play his beloved instrument. He hadn’t sung live since shortly after being diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia in 1994.
It didn’t take long for other artists in the country to adopt social media to pay their respects to Rice.
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“I am not heartbroken to hear about Tony Rice’s passing. No one has had a deeper impact on my musical world. His way of playing, singing, writing and arranging has broken the bluegrass mold and will forever attest to the fact that music can take you anywhere, anywhere “, wrote Chris Thile.
“Playing with Tony was like climbing on a magic carpet”, added Fleck. “His pace set you free …”
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“Tony Rice has inspired so many, including a boy like me, from East Tennessee, who was amazed at the way he sang and played Me And My Guitar. I will never forget to see him sing this at the IBMA Bluegrass Festival in Owensboro, Ky . It prints in my brain forever! Rest In Peace Tony Rice, ” wrote Kenny Chesney.