Tony Rice

Bluegrass

Tony Rice may appeal to fans of other contemporary bluegrass greats, from Tim O'Brien to the Infamous Stringdusters. He also may be of interest to fans of fellow innovators Bela Fleck and Doc Watson. Fans of Tony Rice may be interested in learning more about Bill Monroe.

"Night Coach" (with Tony Rice Unit)
"Bright Days" (with Norman Blake)
"Trespasses" (with Peter Rowan)

Blake & Rice 2 (Rounder Select)

Cold on the Shoulder (Rounder)

Skaggs & Rice: The Essential Old Time Country Duet Recordings (Sugar Hill)

J.D. Crowe and the New South (Crowe, Jerry Douglas, Ricky Skaggs, Bobby Slone); Norman Blake; The Bluegrass Album Band (Crowe, Bobby Hikcs, Doyle Lawson, Todd Phillips); The Rice Brothers (Tony and Wyatt Rice)

Tony Rice was born in Danville, VA, and grew up in California, where he and his brother came up making bluegrass music. He later moved to Kentucky to play music. There, he hooked up with the Bluegrass Alliance and J.D. Crowe and the New South.

From playing with the New South, Rice hooked up with David Grisman, who encouraged him to experiment with styles other than bluegrass. Eventually, Rice ventured out as a solo artist. In 1980, he formed the Bluegrass Album Band with Doyle Lawson, Bobby Hicks, J.D. Crowe, and Todd Phillips. They made six albums together, in addition to Rice's variant solo work and two recordings with his brother Wyatt as the Rice Brothers.

From expanding the definition of contemporary bluegrass music to incorporating the influence of jazz and singer-songwriter folk, Tony Rice is one of the most admired and respected artists in contemporary folk and bluegrass music. He's also lauded as an accomplished guitarist.