What Billy Strings Did With Tony Rice's Guitar 

This is a beautiful story. Thanks Marcel.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

Thank you for another awesome history vid!! Its so cool to see how your channel continues to grow! keep it up man, we need ya!!

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

Tears. What an amazing story.

This is most excellent!! Thank you Marcel for taking time and caring enough to put this together.

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.

So cool, thank you for the wonderful story! I am fortunate to have been on the floor during the performance!

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. 2. During the Lucas interview I show the wrong Snuffy. Apologies again, this is another bluegrass musician with the same name. To see Lucas, with his Grandfather, Snuffy Smith (second from the right), and Stevie Barr click here: lessonswithmarcel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_20230504_202054.jpg Thanks for understanding. I'll fact check more carefully in the future.

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

Your videos are always so clear and informative!!! Thanks marcel!

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

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.

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.

This was such a great story and answered a lot of questions. Thanks so much!

Really enjoyed this whole thing man! Great job to all involved.

Beautiful video

Marcel at it again with a stellar video! A piece of art, a piece of history, a piece of entertainment, just wow. Best content creator. Couldn't put my phone down.

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

Great story. Nice young man. Crazy history on Tony’s D28.

beautiful video man. i can tell you poured your heart and soul into it. cheers

Awesome! Thanks for researching this and posting it.

My favorite bluegrass channel by far. I appreciate the passion and effort in every thing you do brother thanks.

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

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

TR is greatly still missed! Thanks for this video!!

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.

What a great story, Marcel. Thanks, man!!

Thanks Marcel, your channel is a gem.

This is so cool, thanks for making this video, Tony RICE is so important to our music world.

What a great story. Thanks for posting this.

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

Fascinating, touching, and just plain entertaining. Thanks Marcel

Thank you! So many questions answered.

Loved this! Thank you!

Great story, cool guitar. Tony is the man. RIP to a legend.

Thanks for sharing this!

Thank you so much for this story. I paid to stream the show, mainly just to hear the guitar again. The way that Billy carried the guitar on stage with such reverence and care was moving. One knew he was serious when he told the crowd to “ shut the f__k up” There was trouble with the instrument mic, but was still worth every second. I am a bluegrass geek like yourself, and knew there was a really cool back story, thank you for sharing.

Great story. Thanks for posting!

Thanks for sharing Marcel. ✌🏼

Now That was an interesting video,Tony's music has brought me much joy over the years,Thanks For Sharing

Fascinating! Thank you

Cool story ... ❤️ Billy is coming through Seattle here in a couple Months , might be able to see that , I sure would like to see this old guitar . 👍

Thank you so much for this.

Such a great video! Thanks for sharing the real story

Thank you so much for this

Another great video. This channel just keeps getting better haha!

Tony Rice was an amazing musician.miss his smooth playing.

That is a great story Marcel! Nice work brother! ❤💪🔥

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

Great video. Thanks to Marcel and Lucas.

Awesome vid man.. Thanks!

Thanks Marcel for making this video.

Thanks for this Marcel.

Good to see that clip of Tony with Mountain Heart, playing along side local native Aaron Ramsey. Recorded at our local fester, Red, White, and Bluegrass in Morganton N.C.

What a charming and fascinating story!

Great documentary and research, loved it. And dang, that remix at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="113">1:53</a> slaps bro!

I got to know Snuffy Smith well. On one occasion I was having my mandolin worked on at his shop, before I left, he said here I’m going to show you something. He goes back into what looked like an underground safe and takes out Tony Rice‘s guitar and handed it to me. I’ll never forget that day as long as I live.

Excellent presentation Marcel, you filled in a lot of blanks, that guitar certainly has survived a lot of tragedy. Maybe someday you'll be in the right place at the right time and get to play it too. It's obvious how much you loved and admired Tony I hope that plays out for you one day.

Thank you! 🙏

blessed to be front row for this performance :)

Great story Lucas, thanks for the interview and passing on all the love by Tony Rice deserves.

Great vidya. Lucas seems like a real nice guy. Always good to hear The Antique's story again, too.

Very interesting story - thanks for doing this!

Great interview and share.

Great, great video, Marcel.... Wow!

Love Billy Strings magic on any guitar, awesome story.

What an awesome story!

Great video. Thank you

Wow, powerful story thanks. I'm getting old and sentimental, had me teared up all the way through. I sure miss my '48 D28, my biggest instrument mistake was to sell it. My '51 D18 is why, before I knew you could have more than one and of course now I have 15.

Awesome thanks

look at my guy Marcel with 300k+ views on this vid as of this writing. this channel has come such a long way, super stoked to see it grow like this. consistently high quality.

Fantastic story !

I know it's not easy compiling all this information, really appreciate it

Marcel, I really enjoyed this! and I appreciate that you got the facts straight from the source!👍🙏 Tony Rices guitar-playing highly influenced my bluegrass playing. 🐦I also love guitars and love the history of them!🎸🎶

No other guitar like it in the world.

Marcel, you are a great story teller ❤

TR let me play that guitar with no hesitation at the Grass of 80 in DC. Nice guitar and TR was a gentlemen

Cool history 😊 Thnx dude

Awesome video, Marcel! I met Lucas at the Texas State flatpicking championships a couple of years ago.

Tickets are still available, just a heads up. Looking forward to it!

Nice to hear the guitar is accounted for. But Where's Tony's final resting place? I Can't be the only one who wants to visit T, say thanks and shed some tears.

Awesome video

Incredible

great story thanks for telling it

History. Thank you.

Great video great story!

I was there! So awesome

That editing groove was really sick.

So so cool man😊

He actually didn't play it for the Doc 100th birthday show it was the night after. I was at the 100th and wish I could have seen him play this one. But did get to watch it on love stream the next night

No, what you’re hearing is a fully opened up vintage D-28 Martin with a billion repairs, and a modified sound hole and fretboard. It’s like Trigger. Saying it doesn’t have a unique sound is sacrilegious.

RIP Tony Rice.

Please release a full version of the remix at the beginning.

Great story!