His name was Tony Rice, arguably, the best "flat-picker", EVER!
When I met him, he was playing for J.D. Crowe; still a great friend and the best 5-string bluegrass banjo player of the last 50 years.
J.D.'s first full-time job was at the Holiday Inn North in the early 70's. I was 2 miles down the road with a hard-line jazz trio. I was also part-time bartender and graduate student. We became tight, and, while I really dislike Bluegrass music, Tony, J.D. and others became tight friends.
J.D. was so tight he had chased off (or starved out) people like Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley and others.
I lost frequent contact with Tony after the mid-70's, but he stopped in to see me a time or two every year.
One listen and I'm sure you'd agree, he was the best at what he did.
I'm so happy he got the world-wide recognition he deserved.
Russ
Russ,
He he even miss by many on the Mandolin Cafe forum as well. He was so well know for his ability and his personality with others. He was a great Bluegrass, Newgrass and Jazz player but so much more.
Of course I never knew him but he is well known even over here, Downunder.
Allan
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