What Billy Strings Did With Tony Rice's Guitar

Tony Rice Memorial Day Festival:

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[LessonsWithMarcel]

As a few commenters have pointed out there are two editing errors in this video. I want to take a second to apologize for them.

1. The brief obituary shown for Clarence White is for the wrong Clarence. If anyone can find a clipping online from back then I'll gladly link to it here. Thank you.


Thanks for understanding. I'll fact check more carefully in the future.

[jamescrawford]

Like so many others I'm sure, I thought I would never get a chance to hear that guitar play again after Tony's passing. When I saw Billy walking out with it, I said to my friend that guitar looks familiar and as he got closer I started to realize what was happening and then I couldn't see anything for the tears in my eyes. I was lucky enough to be 20 feet away or I wouldn't have got to hear it well because of the mic problem. I just stood there eyes closed and just trying to hear every little bit I could. It was a very unexpected treat on a very special night. Big thanks to Doc and Billy for giving me a reason to be there and a big thanks to Tony's family for letting this happen. I rode a hour back home that night by myself listening to Tony's music and tearing up from time to time, made it home only to realize I had to be at work in a couple hours, what a great night.

[dougmackenzie]

I was fortunate enough to get to play the Clarence White/Tony Rice D-28. Tony was having a fret job done at Hoffman Stringed Instruments, in Raleigh, NC, where I was teaching guitar, at the time. As I came in for my afternoon lessons, I saw Craig Hoffman (the owner and luthier) stick his head out of the shop door. He saw me, and a big grin spread across his face. "Come on in here for a minute", he said, and I walked into the shop. I knew what it was the instant he held it up. Nobody else knew the guitar was there. He showed me the work he'd done (a spectacular fret job), and asked if I wanted to play it. I whipped off my belt, to keep from damaging the guitar, and he handed it to me. It's light as a feather, for a dread'. And the instant I fretted a chord, I could feel the power of the projection of the instrument. I played a few short things on it and gently handed it back to Craig. This was back in '92, before cell phones had cameras. Hell, it was just about the beginning of cell phones. So, I don't have a photo. But, I'll treasure the memory forever.

[thomaslemon]

The crazy thing about this guitar is that there wasn't THAT much magic to it. I don't mean this as an insult to the beautiful guitar, but as a compliment to the late Mr. Rice. It really was his skilled hands that made it sound the way it did. In the hands of a lesser player, it would simply sound like a perfectly broken in old dreadnought. The strong picking of his right hand with his arm wrapped around the tail end of the body, the way that left hand danced around the fretboard...that is the real magic. RIP Tony Rice, my number one guitar hero.

[adamgarrett]

This is a beautiful story. Thanks Marcel.

[SoulofAlice]

Tony was a master. I cut my teeth listening to Bluegrass and old Classic Country...yet until I was in attendance at a Bluegrass Festival in Lexington KY, where I saw J.D.Crow n New South, and Tony Rice as a part of them, did I truly begin to have true appreciation of the genre. As I grew older, I learned to truly love, and have absolute respect for what a true, bone -borne talent Tony was. His picking and signature licks were as smooth and soulful enough to bring tears to the eyes!

[michaelmullins]

I remember Lucas. Ive wondered where he got off to. This is a great story. I was blessed to have a few Tony events. My favorite was sitting backstage at my local fair. Tony had showed up with the Seldom Scene. Tony, John Duffy came and sat on some bleachers and told me to sit still. I was very obedient and thankful for the stories i got to hear. Thanks Marcel.

[Garspawnish]

Great people creating a great story. I love that the community passes along songs, traditions, and instruments. Billy is so respectful to the past players and traditions; a treasure in a long line of musician treasures. Kudos to all involved in keeping this historic guitar in American musical hands. What a great piece of history.

[bryanmabe]

Well I heard myself say my name at the beginning of that video! That was pretty cool. It was also pretty damn cool to be in that room❤ and thanks to Lucas for dragging me along!! Great video

[jamesbell]

Enjoyed Lucas’ interview. He is an outstanding young man as well as a great player. He treats all pickers the same, professionals as well as those who just bought their first guitar. Props to Lucas.

[EarDamageHardcore]

We all know Tony was watching down and smiling that day Billy played his guitar. Thank you for sharing this story man 🙏🏻

[hisdudeness]

Fantastic thanks and Tony's legacy should be safe for any that can hear and likes bluegrass. Awesome player and a fine gentlemen. He will be missed for eternity.

[theaustonlee]

Lucas White and Marcel thank you. Such a cool story, great synchronicity!!! Much appreciated👌🙏💙✨️🎁🎶

[DannyGussman]

Lucas is a killer player, glad to see him here! I hear him usually see him at the Bluegrass Heritage Festival, or at Winfield. What a talent!

[erikhall]

I was in the pit, 2 people back from the stage at that show. Billy with TR's guitar is a memory I will never forget. So happy to have witnessed it.

[austenrobinson]

This guitar is priceless. The best to ever hold a pick have had the honor and privilege to play it. It would be neat to have some of the best flat pickers do an album or a video each playing it to honor Tony and Clarence. What a marvelous box and it should be protected

[haztutaki]

What a awesome story Tony Rice was my favourite singer and guitarist I would play his stuff over and over so sad to see him depart but he is in a better place now. Letting Billy play it live would of been something special to watch as I think Billy is a clone of Tony Rice musically. Condolences to the Rice Family and close friends of his. RIP

[barry]

So cool, to see Billy playing Tony Rices guitar. Thank you for the great history time line of the guitar.

[Amodeviveros]

This means a lot to me, there's nothing like tony playing guitar, and now i know why that guitar. Thank you so so much for making this video and for sharing this story, and to hear someone that knew tony like this, you carry such a blessed energy with you, thank you for sharing. how that guitar was always there for tony, tony is always there for me, many of us. eternally thankful much love, ale

[jameslifetimelearner]

I was riveted during this story and filled with inspiration and teary eyes