Tony Rice, known as one of the leading bluegrass music legends of the 1970s, died on Christmas Day at age 69.
The International Bluegrass Music Association affirmed the news in an assertion gave to Fox News.
“It is with a heavy heart we say goodbye to one of the most iconic voices and musicians in bluegrass history. David Anthony ‘Tony’ Rice passed away at his home in Reidsville, N.C.,” the statement reads in part. “For those of us lucky enough to know and hear Mr. Rice, it is an impossible task to put into words his infinite skill and influence. As a singer, songwriter and guitar player, there are few that will ever match his impact on bluegrass and acoustic music.”
The artist’s former label, Rounder Records, further lauded the music legend in an assertion on Facebook.
“We were all deeply saddened by the news of Tony Rice’s sudden passing on Christmas Day, and we offer our deepest condolences to his loved ones and his many fans. May he Rest In Peace,” the post reads.
Rice was maybe most popular for playing with the band the New South close by Ricky Skaggs. Skaggs was among the unit of performers to share their musings on Rice’s vocation and impact after news broke of his passing.
“Tony Rice was the single most influential acoustic guitar player in the last 50 years. Many if not all of the Bluegrass guitar players of today would say that they cut their teeth on Tony Rice’s music. He loved hearing the next generation players play his licks. I think that’s where he got most of his joy as a player,” Skaggs wrote on Facebook.
He proceeded: “Not only was Tony a brilliant guitar player but he was also one of the most stylistic lead vocalists in Bluegrass music history. When I joined the group The New South in 1974, I knew I’d found a singing soul mate with Tony. Our voices blended like brothers. In 1980, we recorded the album ‘Skaggs And Rice’ for Sugar Hill as a tribute to our duet heroes with just the simplicity of guitar, mandolin and our voices. All these years later people tell me how much the purity of that record still touches their heart. That’s who Tony was, a singer from the heart.”
As indicated by Variety, Rice was an individual from J.D. Crowe’s New South in the mid 1970s prior to joining Skaggs. He would later perform with a horde of gatherings and even fronted a couple of, for example, The Tony Rice Unit. He was likewise noted for his work with banjoist Bela Fleck and Jerry Garcia.
The source reports that Rice’s 2013 enlistment into the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame was the last time he freely played guitar due to an ailment that made playing his adored instrument hard for him. He had not sung live since soon after being determined to have muscle-pressure dysphonia in 1994.
It didn’t take well before other down home craftsmen took to web-based media to offer their appreciation to Rice.
“I’m beyond heartbroken to hear about the passing of Tony Rice. No one has had a more profound impact on my musical world. His playing, singing, writing, and arranging broke the bluegrass mold and will eternally attest to the fact that music can take you anywhere, from anywhere,” wrote Chris Thile.
“Playing with Tony was like climbing aboard a magic carpet,” added Fleck. “His rhythm playing set you free…”
“Tony Rice inspired so many including a kid like me from East Tennessee who was in awe of the way he sang and played Me And My Guitar. I’ll never forget seeing him sing that at the IBMA Bluegrass Festival in Owensboro, Ky. It’s printed in my brain forever! Rest In Peace Tony Rice,” wrote Kenny Chesney.