This is Bluegrass perfection. No overplaying. Spot on perfect. Absolute unmitigated joy. Precision. Timing. Just fast enough. Totally original solos from all four hall of fame greats here. Perfect rhythm. Tony can’t be any cooler and what a leader.

Tony Rice, a true American guitar hero. Nobody can hold a candle to you. Godspeed! RIP

Tony's playing meant so much to so many people. I learned to love bluegrass because of this man. Rest easy brother.

This video is the musical version of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling, or Monet’s lilies, or the Great wall of China: the propensity of the human ability to accomplish feats so seemingly impossible and awe-inspiring that the soul aches as it beholds them. Rest in peace Tony. You were the greatest. You gave us a gift so great that it’ll never die.

I literally cannot stop watching this. That sound. That talent. That almost-angry Clint Eastwood face backed by that joyful noise... and that mandolin, and the realization that's Bela Fleck... wth?! Thank you, and please let this video stay up forever

I first saw Tony Rice around 1975 at, of all places, a Straw Hat Pizza parlor. What i saw completely blew me away. He was starting to work with David Grisman. What grabbed me was how the only things moving were his hands and fingers. As though he and his D28 were literally one. Impeccable style, phrasing and into a musical realm never seen or heard before. What a joy and privilege. Beyond words!

I'm not a big Bluegrass fan but this is incredible virtuosity, tightness, and artistry. I have nothing but admiration for these musical geniuses.

Tony Rice never messes up. He creates new licks.

R.I.P Tony, you are the best...♥️

Tony Rice cannot be compared to ANYBODY. There are pickers faster, sometimes flashier, but nobody better. His musical taste, phrasing, sense of space and impeccable timing put him above every other bluegrass guitarist alive today...and he invented his unique style, although he obviously had/has his influences...we all do. The only player close to him is his brother Wyatt, at least as far as right hand techinque, but Tony's musicality remains unique. Miss his gorgeous voice though.

Woah! That is possibly the most deeply stacked group of true virtuoso musicians I’ve ever seen on a single stage! Each one of those guys could bring the house down on their own, but to see them all playing together is something else!

Tony rice is best flatpicker and best bluegrass vocalist . Love from India

this is my great uncle Charlie's song. & it is absolutely amazing to hear this herculean band play it. i got to mix monitors for Tony twice before we lost him. For his last show i worked, he had just visited the ailing Vassar Clements that morning. Tony was in a very somber mood. And after one soundcheck he said in that reasp, "You done good, Phil." It is an absolute highlight for me,

The picking in the first 10 seconds is out of this world. I dont stand a chance, not even sure why I bother trying. RIP sir

Let’s put our hands and hearts together and thank God for giving us Tony Rice and his Music

Who is still kicking it with these tunes in 2023?!🙌

These Boys were in their prime at same time. Full throttle. You can see each players facial expression light up as they watch each other take their Break. This is the best up close video of a special place and Time👍RIP Tony🇺🇸

I love how the world as a whole recognizes how special of a moment this was. A lot of times over stacked stages fall flat, but this is that rare moment when everyone was in top form and made something for the ages.

The amount of talent on that stage at one time is absolutely incredible! All of them are just the best at what they do . RIP Tony .

Look how young Jerry Douglas is! RIP Tony

Would of gave anything to have seen Tony Rice in concert, miss him so much his music will be with me forever?

Tony Rice is the most effortless flatpicker I've ever seen. And Mark O'Connor is still a god.

The magic of Tony Rice is his ability to weave in and out of the beat without ever losing it. His second solo at 3:10 is a great example. It stretches the measures, creating tremendous tension and excitement - always ending exactly on the beat! What a genius!!!

I am amazed every single time that I hear these classic recordings and marvel at the fact that they were recorded live outside and under what conditions only God knows. There were no re-takes or over-dubs or studio magic! These guys just stepped up to the mic and took turns crushing this bluegrass standard. They were so far ahead of their time that I don't even think they knew at the time. Many bands have tried to play these songs before and since and they still can't do it any better than these guys just off the cuff! They made it look so very easy it was almost laughable! I know that taste in music is relative and people like or don't like what ever they may want to but how cold watch this video of these masterful musicians and not appreciate it in some form or fashion for just how gifted they all were! I can't believe there is 2 people that have watched it that just don't get the magic that was happening live! Thank you for the post! Thank God for the gift of Music!

It's great to hear the bass way up in the mix like this. He's really powering the song forward.

An absolutely wonderful performance of world class masters, at the top of their form. How extremely fortunate we are that this was recorded, by excellent engineers, and video director. I doubt we will hear their like again. Marvellous ! x x .

You just can’t beat this guy and he has a way of sending chills up ur spine with these jazzy offbeat rhythms like nobody else. Love his selection of material as well 🧨🔥

I'll be in my woodshed practicing for all of eternity...

RIP Tony Rice. You were a huge part of the soundtrack of my childhood and I will keep listening in gratitude.

Smoother cleaner picking you will not hear! R.I.P Tony. Sure gonna miss you!

I’m 14 I love tony rice and especially this song

RIP Tony. I deeply regret never having crossed paths with you. You have greatly influenced me. Thank you for being so much for so many. I will miss you greatly. My heart and prayers to your family and close friends

Well, these guys are just plain good. Sound like this makes my heart smile.

Lord, these gems are a treasure to behold...makes my heart sing.

My wife and I were there that day at Merlefest. The entire set was magic. 🙏❤️🎶

Love Sam Bush's energy. He's always so hyped lmao

The nod off to Sam Bush at 1:42 is the smoothest.

I just started to listen to Bluegrass recently and I just cant get enought of this Outstanding guitar player. He was incredible. ish I could have seen him live . RIP Tony

I was at this performance. My friend Jim Eanes, a well regarded bluegrass writer and performer , introduced me to Tony Rice at another show in Virginia. I was in awe! And Mark O'Connor is the nicest person and absolute master of everything he plays.

Rip Mr. Rice..it was a pleasure and honor growing up a few doors down from you...never will forget dad playing the banjo and you pickin your guitar in your living room.

I first heard Tony play with Jerry G on the Pizza Tapes what a great player was im forever grateful RIP Tony ❤🎸✌

RIP Tony! You will be missed.

Thank you,Thank you,Thank you. Always one of my favorites, played by a master.

RIP. He wasn't just a phenomenal picker but a lyrical player as well with that amazing tone and bluesy feel. A cut above the rest.

Quite possibly the most “talent” ever assembled on stage at one time ! Look no further for “pure perfection”! RIP Tony.

Class lineup!

Rest in piece Tony. Thank you for sharing your gift.

That little nod he gives to the mandolin player right before the solo is so.... badass.

You were one of the greats Mr Rice. You are missed. Your playing will live on forever.

That nod by Tony to the mandolin player for him to get ready for his solo turn at 1:42 is totally badass.

Man , i love him so much .. when i first discovered him it was pure joy to look him play and to listen and it still the same after 1000 times of listening. And all his awesome maestro band

So smooth. So cool. So able to never lose track of where he was in the music no matter how abstract his solos got. RIP Tony Rice. One Virginia gentleman who is sorely missed.

THE BEST EVER, TONY RICE

What a crew. Tony had such a great voice for these tunes.

Rice Bush, Douglass, Oconner. friggen gold.

I remember being at this show and it was a musical epiphany for me. It made me want to switch from being a primarily electric player to a mostly acoustic player. I still love my Tele bends and rocking out, but there's a real power to acoustic music that is so real and can't be faked or covered up by effect pedals.

Love how he turns and even converses with his fellow players while still mid-run in his first solo effortlessly nailing it. @ 0:58, Those eyebrows at 1:43, That head raise (to communicate a pitch raise while fading the note) on "back" at 2:18.

rice's legacy, best baritone voice in history

Tony’s arrangements and renditions of other writers’ songs was always the high water mark for the song. It couldn’t be done any better.

The talent on that stage is incredible.

Nobody's hammer will ever ring again like yours Tony.

I love to get hammered in the afternoon listening to these guys!

I love that Tony adjusted the Mike for Jerry (who looks like a 20yr old) Such a class act, both.

This isn't music, this is magic. And that's the truth!

Listening to this just made my day! I'm full of energy and now, I can get everything done! Thanks!

I love how he reaches over to adjust the Dobro Player’s mike. Showcasing the talent that joins you onstage is true showmanship.

Blessed to hear Tony's voice, and to have this collection of music put to video before his voice went.

Thank you for a lifetime of wonderful, beautiful music, Tony. Safe travels...

Sincerely hope that Tony gets better and eventually back out playing. He's a true legend of American music in my opinion.

Tony Rice is the epitome of a true professional. I heard his album 'Manzanita' and was literally floored back when I was 15 years old in the 1980's.

This song brings me back a ways. Always in total awe of that flawless picking. R.I.P Tony Rice

These guys are the greatest Bluegrass players of their generation. A great example of how Bluegrass technical proficiency matches that of any music, including jazz and classical music.

Some of the finest musicians at the top of their game. The contrast in playing styles is interesting. Mark and Sam are practically dancing the notes out, while the only things that move in one of Tony’s solos are his hands. Jerry is similar. Some great close up camera work of Tony’s and Jerry’s hands at work. Or is it play? I would have loved to hear Mark and Tony trade guitar licks.

I'm impressed at how he's able to stand so perfectly still while everyone else is bopping around and tapping their feet.

I'm from Montreal and there is not a lot of bluegrass here but i love bluegrass I'm in love with this music , and after for not so long ago , i discovered and explored Tony Rice albums and live , i understand now why he's such an inspiration for many, this man is a virtuoso of bluegrass guitar and music, I don't have words to explained his particular sound

Whenever someone asks me for a good introductory piece of bluegrass I always recommend this performance. Being lit on fire by Rice is a good start.

I remember when I first heard Tony in 1985 and I really felt like I had missed a decade of awareness about Bluegrass and bad ass guitar picking. I had been playing guitar since 1966 and was getting discouraged about the direction of music long about 1978...(disco, though fun was not advancing musicianship).Languished in ignorance of the underground BG music scene for a few years and then...............and then I heard Tony... and went..."Wow! This is possible on an acoustic guitar? I thought Hendrix was good...but...wow. For all you younger viewers out there, or just new viewers to the Bluegrass scene, it's a lovely and eternally rewarding labyrinth of talent so intertwined in history...Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Tony Rice, Mark O'Conner, are second generation BG pickers and they intermingled with 1st generation BG folk and the 3rd gen intermingles with the prior 2 and then next 2. This wonderful music never goes away. It just keeps expanding and all the pickers you know about all know or have been influenced by all the pickers you don't know about. But you will. It takes time. You just take solace and comfort in learning and appreciating. Everybody started behind the curve after Bill Monroe happened. Just pick it up and keep going. There's a whole family of welcoming arms out there...old rickety ones and young fresh ones....all enjoying and loving this music. It's not like anything else. It will always endure and when you're 85, you will have thousands of friends to pick with. Go for it.

I hope Tony's health improves enough for him to play his guitar. I miss his brilliance. Fortunately, he can still amaze us here with his past performances. No-one else comes close.

Each and all stellar , incredible this concentration of talent. I wouldn’t know who to single out

Just discovered Tony Rice today. Where have I been living? Wow!

i love how tony always wears a suit with the pens in his coat pocket

Yay, my cousin Sam Bush is in the video!

This is a dream band. The fiddle and slide playing, especially, are some of the sweetest I've ever heard. The whole band just knocks my sock off.

good stuff tony just love it awsome guys thank you for sharingggggg

Tony Rice = the master of 6 string bluegrass guitar..... period.

Tony was one hell of a singer back then.

Tony Rice, a favorite guitar player of mine, and a good singer. Poor man; in many years he lost his voice: Couldn´t sing or talk! What a handicap! In april 1996, l had the pleasure of seeing Tony Rice Unit on a small scene in Virginia. I´ll never forget. He played up to his standard. Never sang or said a word, and the audiens got worried about that. Me too - until l got the answer from a video on this channel years later. Masterclass guitar player 💜💜💜

Tony is simply the best acoustic slinger ever. Thank you man.

Tony Rice is boss on that guitar, and for my money O'Connor plays the best breaks I have ever heard.

This is bluegrass perfection

My life changed for the better, 19 yrs ago, when a new friend said "come on over and pick some bluegrass." I was lucky enough to see Tony in Argyle,Tx in 09. I hope he recovers.

They don't just make it look effortless , they make it look FUN !!!

Tony Rice....yeahhhhhhhhhh....great wizard of the six strings acoustic guitar!!!

Tony Rice is totally underrated IMO. Did you hear his 2nd solo?? EVH, SRV, Randy Rhodes (and others, of course) get accolades for doing the same. But Tony does it on acoustic, and it still sounds awesome. He should be up there with other guitar gods.

All you guys with your negative comments- we should all get down on our knees and worship these music masters. They are a gift to all of us!

Everytime I watch this, I comment. It's THAT good. UNREAL talent in this group. Don't try this at home...

serious talent and musical knowledge here. non -musicians couldn't fathom the hours of practice put into being able to play like this. if i can do this at 1/10th speed someday, that would be an unbelievable milestone

The second guitar solo is like wtf is going on, so amazing.

Tony Rice has so much class!

Greatest bluegrass ensemble ever. Full stop.