Featured Story
Tony Rice
A brilliant guitarist, vocalist, and creator of life songs who inspired a generation In the summer of 2003, at the second Floydfest, the most anticipated headlining act on the bill was a special reunion of the David Grisman Quintet. Featuring Grisman, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Jim Kerwin and Tony Rice, it was the one show… Read the full article
The Tradition
Notes & Queries – March
NOTES “In the December 2020 issue, you answered a query about the song ‘Mountain Laurel.’ One recent version is by Open Road on their Rounder album …In the Life. They credit the Bailey Brothers as the source for their version.” Stewart Evans, Santa Cruz, CA “Dick Spottswood is right, the song (‘The Martins and Coys’)… Read the full article
Tony Rice Interview with Pete Wernick
September 14th, 1985 Editor’s Note: This article is a transcription of a conversation between Pete Wernick and Tony Rice recorded in 1985—a transitional period in Tony Rice’s career. We thank Pete Wernick for providing us with the transcript and this unique glimpse into Tony Rice’s life at that point in time. PW: …on the road… Read the full article
Tony Rice & The Grisman Years
During a video interview with Bryan Sutton, which was broadcast online shortly after Tony Rice’s passing, Blue Highway guitarist—and Tony Rice biographer—Tim Stafford pointed to three “schools” of Tony Rice’s development as a guitar player. The first occurred during Tony’s early years, when he was greatly influenced by Clarence White. The second was when he… Read the full article
Wyatt & Ronnie Rice Remember Their Brother Tony
or the friends, collaborators and fans of Tony Rice, the unexpected word of his death hit us hard. The response to the announcement on social media, in news print and on the radio was nothing short of astounding as Rice’s music was played relentlessly, and his life story was covered by many outlets. For the… Read the full article
The Artists
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
Proving Bluegrass is Alive and Well Photos by Jake’s Visuals Shortly after I accepted the job as the managing editor of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine, I received an email from a subscriber expressing his concern about the state of bluegrass music. His contention was, “Bluegrass is dead. Young people just aren’t interested in it anymore.” With… Read the full article
Fireside Collective: The New Generation of Bluegrass
Photos by Heather Hambor Just like the name of their third CD, Elements, Fireside Collective is a multifarious music group melding together a variety of influences. “We have always been inspired by the creativity and excitement of Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys, Flatt and Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys, The Stanley Brothers and… Read the full article
Wes Corbett
Pushing the Envelope Photos by Kaitlyn Raitz Growing up on Bainbridge Island, Washington, just west of Seattle, 5-string wizard Wes Corbett had heard bluegrass-style banjo on the radio, most memorably via the Car Talk theme. It didn’t immediately call out to the young, classically-trained pianist. Nor did the vocal strains of the high lonesome sound…. Read the full article
The Sound
A Means to an End: The Richard Hoover/Tony Rice Quest for the Ideal Guitar
By the time it got into Tony Rice’s hands, the iconic 1935 Martin D-28 had seen more than its fair share of wear. Known as “The Antique” or “58957”, the guitar rested under Joe Miller’s bed for nine years before Tony acquired it in 1975 and soon brought it to Randy Wood for a neck… Read the full article
For Luthier Lawrence Smart, X Marks His Spot
Photo by Bud Osborne Maybe it’s something in the Pacific Northwest’s air or water, or perhaps it’s being surrounded by the grand mountain forests of Idaho and the Pacific Coast that inspires brilliant luthiery. But whatever it is, that majestic region has spawned some of the world’s finest woodsmiths, including mandolin masters Michael Heiden, Fletcher… Read the full article
The Venu
Tony Rice with JD Crowe at the Red Slipper Lounge in Lexington, Kentucky
A mirage to most modern day music fans, the Red Slipper Lounge in Lexington, Kentucky has long been heralded for bluegrass music. Known for being the stomping ground for JD Crowe and The Kentucky Mountain Boys (and later The New South) for six nights per week from 1968 to 1975, the venue had a reputation… Read the full article
