Such a bucket list moment for Billy, so happy for him. Tony expressed to a number of folks that when he passed, the guitar would go to Wyatt. Seems that hasn’t really came to fruition. That being said, it’s great that it was made available to Billy. Just think how many people at that concert then went online and discovered Tony Rice…
If I remember correctly, this is a guitar that Tony Rice intentionally sold. He used it on his last tour, if I remember the story correctly (I may be off) and he worked with a third party who guaranteed its provenance - it had been made specifically for him to his dictates, and there is even a video of him saying words to the effect of "this is my guitar, etc etc". And Billy picked it up a year or so ago, for a pretty penny if I recall (I think they may have been asking something like $40,000 for it? I might be talking out of my hat, my memory is not that great). I remember Billy getting on his video stream and he was quite happy, when he first bought it, and playing some licks on it. NOTE: th-cam.com/video/W4cbffYQzmU/w-d-xo.html - The one that Billy Strings bought was a 2007 Santa Cruz that was made for Tony Rice. That's the one I was thinking of...
Or maybe this is a different guitar from that one :) As if I know. I do know about Billy's purchase of a Tony Rice guitar, but perhaps this is not that particular guitar.
Carry on Billy .. Tony would be proud.. Thanks Mrs Pam Rice for letting Billy educate the crowd about the legend.. And his guitar.. "The song has ended, But the melody still lingers.. RIP Tony Rice.. American icon and bluegrass legend🎼❤️
@@angelovanoeveren7936 check out stick hix videos or look for some Hammertown videos of them picking around and you’ll see it. It could be a replica, it looked to be aged and as worn as the original from Clarance White.
@Chris Mcclain oh I allready know that vids, but didn't know Styx hicks posted them, but this is indeed a replica and not the Antique. That has been confirmed on a couple pages, within that group off people there where some real close to Tony, and know about those facts 😃
Grew up next door to Tony and Pam. Never thought I'd hear that Martin sing ever again! Thanks to Pam and India for allowing Billy to play it! Now lock it up tight!!!
Artists who become stars are exactly how people discover the roots. Just as Jerry Garcia opened up bluegrass to a world of young people back in 1970, Billy Strings is doing it now, leading his fans to Doc, Tony, the Stanleys, the Carters and much more. Those who love it will stick around and soak in the history.
I do agree that Tony Rice is a one-off. There's no questioning that by anyone decent. But this young man is going to find his own sound & style and be unique in his own way. I don't think imitation is even an issue here. I'm sure that Billy Strings is a huge fan of Tony Rice's playing as well. It'll be interesting to hear what he comes up with over time.
Funny im older than Billy but we grew around the same circles in bluegrass my first fest I was 12 im 47 now I was so blessed to have Seen Tony for many years ..that Tony rice unit was the deal ..but now we got good Ole Billy and the boys thank you god for giving me back my childhood Every time I go to a show
That’s the sweetest sounding box I’ve ever heard. The hands that have picked it are the best to ever do it. It’s insane Billy got to play it. He must have had chills playing a G chord on it.
Wow man, as a Tony fan, I truly enjoyed this. Thank you, Billy. I swear I've never heard anybody come close to Tony's sound, but you nailed it. I recall Tony in an interview said 'no two players sound alike so it's hard for me to get people to sound like me.' But, wow, you came closer than anybody.
This was a great show ! It was the last show I saw with one of my best friends before he passed away this summer. This will always be one of my favorite Billy shows. The night before on Doc's birthday was awsome too.
A great idea would be that Tony's wife loans it out for special performances by various artists. Kind of like priceless violins that are loaned to virtuoso musicians. To honor Tony's memory and showcase the player using it.
Wasn't Tony's most cherished guitar the Martin he got from Clarence White? Can't remember, longtime Tony Rice fan and Billy Strings and band are great! Thanks
Yes, this is that guitar. Billy purchased Tony's '07 Santa Cruz a couple years back, but Tony's widow still owns this D-28 and just let Billy play it for this show
The city I grew up in had two great bluegrass Coffee Houses, which I attended every weekend from age 15 till 18. I was introduced to Bluegrass in the early 60’s, by my dads best friend Ray, Ray was from Oklahoma, his family, mom, dad, siblings, cousins, were all moving from the San Bernardino Mountains back to Oklahoma. I was just 6 & we were getting their family dog, but I got much more!! They had a Hoe-Down in the living room and everyone of them played and sang the best Bluegrass, my little mind was blown, I wanted to play fiddle and guitar and banjo 🪕 more than anything else in the world that night. In 4th grade I started violin lessons, I had been in school choir and church choir since 2nd grade. I got my first guitar for Christmas at 17. I taught my oldest son Sazuki violin when he started Kindergarten, he plays guitar, bass, banjo and trombone, like my husband, who is also extremely musical and from a musical family like mine, my dad played trombone, everyone in our family’s sing and play instruments, my younger sons included. Music has always been a huge part of my life. I love Jerry Garcia very much, saw him over and over, love NRPS and Old and In The Way, but I already loved Bluegrass, it was one of my first loves, just like Jerry’s, I was just the right age to see and love it all, my grandfather playing HeeHaw on TV, loving Earl Scruggs. Getting Nitty Gritty Dirt Bands 1st circle album with Doc Watson and Maybelle Carter, I was in Mendocino by then, yay! I escaped Southern California when I turned 20 & California on my 29th birthday. Happy as Hell 😊❤ Edit~I forgot to say how much I love BMFS!!!!!!❤❤❤❤
Is that the famous Clarence White expanded hole ? I couldn't see it, I'd be happy to play any Tony Rice guitar Santa Cruz, Martin whatever I'd probably start shaking, Miss that legend seen him in Chicago and he was the original reason for going to Merlefest every year where I found another 100 reasons to go but the legends are thinning out, the good news like Tony said about Nickel Creek when they were kids, with people like this Bluegrass has a great future .
@@guitarman1477 No not everyone knew that. I've been listening since the 1970s when Jerry introduced us to Bluegrass and had not heard of Clarence White. I'll look him up now. Organically is how the music grows. Through WOM.
Very cool moment. On the other hand, it's a bummer going to a show when you wind up sitting by people that talk non-stop as heard in the background here. It's as if some go to concerts just to say that they were there. "I caught that Billy Strings show last night, it was great." "Cool, how'd he sound?" "No idea." "Well did you catch him playing Tony Rice's guitar?" "Huh?"
There are very few venues you go to where people don't talk. Tony rice could have come back to life and played on that show and they would have still talked. I have played many clubs and they would rather talk than listen. It is human nature. They think they have something important to say. LOL
The important guitar. That is most tied with tony rice. This guitar is a 1935 martin d28 with a widened sound hole. Once belonged and made famous by clarence white. You can find the whole story on youtube. Its a legendary story about an incredible guitar. 2 amazing and legendary players. This guitar will not be sold. Most likely.
There’s another clip of him playing “Freeborn Man” at the same show. It was videoed from the front of the stage. It’s definitely Tony’s main guitar, the D-28 that belonged to Clarence.
This guitar has 9 lives. From Clarence to Tony a flood, damaged so badly it was nearly unplayable. This guitar belongs to Tony”s widow then to Wyatt. It’s too valuable to pass it around a lot. Belongs in the IBMA museum if the family doesn’t want it just to protect the holy grail of D-28”s
There’s no way Billy would have this in his hands unless Tony Had not gotten it from a liquor store owner in Pasadena who got it from perhaps the greatest flat picker ever; Clarence White.
No way! Billy has a lot of fast licks but Tony had a unique style that just mesmerized me. Check out the intro to Cold on the Shoulder. th-cam.com/video/wWYc25TII5w/w-d-xo.html
Billy’s good, but Tony was the innovator. Listen to a lot of the jazz tunes tony recorded and some of his originals and you will see just how musically correct he is, truly a perfectionist. Billy’s a fast picker but you can tell his technique borrows many genres and that works for him but Tony clearly spent a lot of time and effort in developing his own technique all from bluegrass and jazz influence. But yeah billy is fast but I’d argue Tony in his prime was a more precise and fast picker, more musically inclined and Billy has a sound more widely accepted by a modern generation due to the direction music has taken now a day. Just wanna clarify that I have the upmost respect for both but they are very different and have strengths in different areas.
Such a bucket list moment for Billy, so happy for him. Tony expressed to a number of folks that when he passed, the guitar would go to Wyatt. Seems that hasn’t really came to fruition. That being said, it’s great that it was made available to Billy. Just think how many people at that concert then went online and discovered Tony Rice…
Sometimes the right thing to do doesn't happen.
who owns the guitar now?
His wife Pam
If I remember correctly, this is a guitar that Tony Rice intentionally sold. He used it on his last tour, if I remember the story correctly (I may be off) and he worked with a third party who guaranteed its provenance - it had been made specifically for him to his dictates, and there is even a video of him saying words to the effect of "this is my guitar, etc etc". And Billy picked it up a year or so ago, for a pretty penny if I recall (I think they may have been asking something like $40,000 for it? I might be talking out of my hat, my memory is not that great). I remember Billy getting on his video stream and he was quite happy, when he first bought it, and playing some licks on it.
NOTE: th-cam.com/video/W4cbffYQzmU/w-d-xo.html - The one that Billy Strings bought was a 2007 Santa Cruz that was made for Tony Rice. That's the one I was thinking of...
Or maybe this is a different guitar from that one :) As if I know. I do know about Billy's purchase of a Tony Rice guitar, but perhaps this is not that particular guitar.
Carry on Billy .. Tony would be proud.. Thanks Mrs Pam Rice for letting Billy educate the crowd about the legend.. And his guitar.. "The song has ended, But the melody still lingers.. RIP Tony Rice.. American icon and bluegrass legend🎼❤️
Absolute chills from this. It’s almost spooky hearing Tony’s guitar again, there’s a little piece of him that lives in that guitar forever.
Josh Williams has been slaying the strings off it since his death, looks like Billy has his chance now.
@Chris Mcclain Josh has a "replica" I tought so, where have you seen heared him pick the #58957?
Would love to see or hear it!
@@angelovanoeveren7936 check out stick hix videos or look for some Hammertown videos of them picking around and you’ll see it. It could be a replica, it looked to be aged and as worn as the original from Clarance White.
@@chrismcclain5497 will do!
@Chris Mcclain oh I allready know that vids, but didn't know Styx hicks posted them, but this is indeed a replica and not the Antique.
That has been confirmed on a couple pages, within that group off people there where some real close to Tony, and know about those facts 😃
Grew up next door to Tony and Pam. Never thought I'd hear that Martin sing ever again! Thanks to Pam and India for allowing Billy to play it! Now lock it up tight!!!
Artists who become stars are exactly how people discover the roots. Just as Jerry Garcia opened up bluegrass to a world of young people back in 1970, Billy Strings is doing it now, leading his fans to Doc, Tony, the Stanleys, the Carters and much more. Those who love it will stick around and soak in the history.
Every night is something different and special. Billy just keeps pushing the envelope and showing what real music is all about!
Yes Billy is a virtuoso, but no one will ever play as smooth and intimate on that guitar as Tony has! His style will never be imitated.
Billy has another 50-60 years to go, God willing.
what an unnecessary comment, just respect billy’s ability regardless. the uploader didnt even make that claim, so ungrateful man.
*replicated
I do agree that Tony Rice is a one-off. There's no questioning that by anyone decent. But this young man is going to find his own sound & style and be unique in his own way. I don't think imitation is even an issue here. I'm sure that Billy Strings is a huge fan of Tony Rice's playing as well. It'll be interesting to hear what he comes up with over time.
Funny im older than Billy but we grew around the same circles in bluegrass my first fest I was 12 im 47 now I was so blessed to have Seen Tony for many years ..that Tony rice unit was the deal ..but now we got good Ole Billy and the boys thank you god for giving me back my childhood Every time I go to a show
A Legends guitar being played by a legend in the making! Thanks Billy for carrying this sound with such passion and enthusiasm!!
Deeply rooted in bluegrass history and an honor for Billy.
That’s the sweetest sounding box I’ve ever heard. The hands that have picked it are the best to ever do it. It’s insane Billy got to play it. He must have had chills playing a G chord on it.
I hope Tony was lookin down smiling and tapping his toe .... Love Billy and he is a virtuoso but Tony Rice remains my favorite picker....
Wow man, as a Tony fan, I truly enjoyed this. Thank you, Billy. I swear I've never heard anybody come close to Tony's sound, but you nailed it. I recall Tony in an interview said 'no two players sound alike so it's hard for me to get people to sound like me.' But, wow, you came closer than anybody.
Noooo way, is that the Antique!!!!!!
Duuuuuuuude, holy goats!
I was at that show with Tommy Evans, who knew and played with Tony and visited him at his home on occasion. Very awesome show for sure.
Oh Lord. Billy playing Tony’s guitar. My oh my oh my!!❤
This was a great show ! It was the last show I saw with one of my best friends before he passed away this summer. This will always be one of my favorite Billy shows. The night before on Doc's birthday was awsome too.
Playing Tony Rice's guitar is a privilege and a blessing all in a pick stroke.
Hotdamn… this set made me wanna start hambonin’ and steppin’ all over!
Kudos and a job well done from the East Tennessee hollers brother!
Tony would be proud. Great tribute being Tony lived in the not to distant Rockingham County.
A great idea would be that Tony's wife loans it out for special performances by various artists. Kind of like priceless violins that are loaned to virtuoso musicians. To honor Tony's memory and showcase the player using it.
Nice one mate
Gorgeous! Happy for Billy💪✨
EXCELLENTE
Thank you kindly Sir
you are a Scholar and a
Gentlemen 💙⚡🐐✨
About to cry
Would love to see that guitar go to Wyatt.
Epic.
Dude gets it!!!! And his bringing the past with him.....
The magic was never in the guitar; it was Tony.
Where Guitars ain't just Guitars, go Billy Guitar Strings Show em String Music
Wasn't Tony's most cherished guitar the Martin he got from Clarence White? Can't remember, longtime Tony Rice fan and Billy Strings and band are great! Thanks
Yes, this is that guitar. Billy purchased Tony's '07 Santa Cruz a couple years back, but Tony's widow still owns this D-28 and just let Billy play it for this show
Gather round the mic boys! The way it’s meant to be.
The city I grew up in had two great bluegrass Coffee Houses, which I attended every weekend from age 15 till 18. I was introduced to Bluegrass in the early 60’s, by my dads best friend Ray, Ray was from Oklahoma, his family, mom, dad, siblings, cousins, were all moving from the San Bernardino Mountains back to Oklahoma. I was just 6 & we were getting their family dog, but I got much more!! They had a Hoe-Down in the living room and everyone of them played and sang the best Bluegrass, my little mind was blown, I wanted to play fiddle and guitar and banjo 🪕 more than anything else in the world that night. In 4th grade I started violin lessons, I had been in school choir and church choir since 2nd grade. I got my first guitar for Christmas at 17. I taught my oldest son Sazuki violin when he started Kindergarten, he plays guitar, bass, banjo and trombone, like my husband, who is also extremely musical and from a musical family like mine, my dad played trombone, everyone in our family’s sing and play instruments, my younger sons included. Music has always been a huge part of my life. I love Jerry Garcia very much, saw him over and over, love NRPS and Old and In The Way, but I already loved Bluegrass, it was one of my first loves, just like Jerry’s, I was just the right age to see and love it all, my grandfather playing HeeHaw on TV, loving Earl Scruggs. Getting Nitty Gritty Dirt Bands 1st circle album with Doc Watson and Maybelle Carter, I was in Mendocino by then, yay! I escaped Southern California when I turned 20 & California on my 29th birthday. Happy as Hell 😊❤ Edit~I forgot to say how much I love BMFS!!!!!!❤❤❤❤
Is that the famous Clarence White expanded hole ? I couldn't see it, I'd be happy to play any Tony Rice guitar Santa Cruz, Martin whatever I'd probably start shaking, Miss that legend seen him in Chicago and he was the original reason for going to Merlefest every year where I found another 100 reasons to go but the legends are thinning out, the good news like Tony said about Nickel Creek when they were kids, with people like this Bluegrass has a great future .
It is. It's "The Antique", the d-28 owned by tony and Clarence
@@brenchadpicks3 Thank you, the holy grail of guitars ✌️
Yeah best 25$ the Whites ever spent
Tony Rice's guitar was Clarence Whites guitar before him it has a long history in great hands.
Yes, everybody knows that
@@guitarman1477 You aren't everybody a lot of people don't know ether one.
@@guitarman1477 No not everyone knew that. I've been listening since the 1970s when Jerry introduced us to Bluegrass and had not heard of Clarence White. I'll look him up now. Organically is how the music grows. Through WOM.
Tony is looking down and smiling.
Other than Bryan Sutton, nobody deserves it more. I’m tearing up here.
Josh Williams? Wyatt Rice?
I would like to hear Molly Tuttle play it.
@Still Learning Of course there is. There's a first, second, third and so on in virtually everything.
@@coryCuc there always was but it would be a nicer environment to be in without 1st’s 2nd’s etc. Be better people just take each other at face value
@@mauricehayden8835 Or just not get bothered if peoples' opinions are different than yours? Too many people looking to be offended these days.
Very cool moment. On the other hand, it's a bummer going to a show when you wind up sitting by people that talk non-stop as heard in the background here. It's as if some go to concerts just to say that they were there.
"I caught that Billy Strings show last night, it was great."
"Cool, how'd he sound?"
"No idea."
"Well did you catch him playing Tony Rice's guitar?"
"Huh?"
There are very few venues you go to where people don't talk. Tony rice could have come back to life and played on that show and they would have still talked. I have played many clubs and they would rather talk than listen. It is human nature. They think they have something important to say. LOL
Exactly
There’s nothing wrong with telling folks that you came to hear the artists and not them…
Glad you said that. It's very distracting and disappointing. Not to mention disrespectful to the artist.
The important guitar. That is most tied with tony rice. This guitar is a 1935 martin d28 with a widened sound hole. Once belonged and made famous by clarence white. You can find the whole story on youtube. Its a legendary story about an incredible guitar. 2 amazing and legendary players. This guitar will not be sold. Most likely.
You are right if they only knew who the great Tony Rice was.
Tony was playing a Santa Cruz for many years tho
Does Biilly now own this guitar?
No
The old Clarence Martin was not always his first
Can anyone confirm if that was the Clarence White guitar or another one of Tony's guitars?
There’s another clip of him playing “Freeborn Man” at the same show. It was videoed from the front of the stage. It’s definitely Tony’s main guitar, the D-28 that belonged to Clarence.
@@toddnanney9473 Thank you for confirming.
This guitar has 9 lives. From Clarence to Tony a flood, damaged so badly it was nearly unplayable. This guitar belongs to Tony”s widow then to Wyatt. It’s too valuable to pass it around a lot. Belongs in the IBMA museum if the family doesn’t want it just to protect the holy grail of D-28”s
This boy has taken bluegrass to the next level. Too bad Tony didn’t get to see it.
Appropriate!
Next person needs to get a hold of that guitar is Bryan Sutton, Jake Workman or Molly Tuttle
Man those strings are not doing that Antique any favors. But I get why they weren’t changed.
💕 Promo_SM
Hell I wouldn't mind if he was just a lead singer
Too bad that most of Billy’s fans have no idea who Tony Rice was.
🤡
So he is educating them !
@@rickfriend3109 exactly
They are learning. He may be opening minds on both ends of the spectrum…
And there was a time that you didn't know who Tony Rice was either
Jealous
There’s no way Billy would have this in his hands unless Tony Had not gotten it from a liquor store owner in Pasadena who got it from perhaps the greatest flat picker ever; Clarence White.
Billy fans: tony who?….
In my opinion, Billy’s strings leaves Tony rice in the shade as a flat picker
There wouldn’t be a Billy Strings if there weren’t a Tony Rice. Your opinion is just that, an opinion, and you’re wrong lol
@@BluegrassRules101 pretty much sums it up😋👍
No way! Billy has a lot of fast licks but Tony had a unique style that just mesmerized me. Check out the intro to Cold on the Shoulder. th-cam.com/video/wWYc25TII5w/w-d-xo.html
This has to be the stupidest comment I’ve seen in a while 😂😂
Billy’s good, but Tony was the innovator. Listen to a lot of the jazz tunes tony recorded and some of his originals and you will see just how musically correct he is, truly a perfectionist. Billy’s a fast picker but you can tell his technique borrows many genres and that works for him but Tony clearly spent a lot of time and effort in developing his own technique all from bluegrass and jazz influence. But yeah billy is fast but I’d argue Tony in his prime was a more precise and fast picker, more musically inclined and Billy has a sound more widely accepted by a modern generation due to the direction music has taken now a day.
Just wanna clarify that I have the upmost respect for both but they are very different and have strengths in different areas.