STILL INSIDE: THE TONY RICE STORY

The highly anticipated authorized biography of acoustic guitar legend Tony Rice is now in the final stages of production and will be released within a couple months! 

Many consider Rice the greatest acoustic guitar player of all time. Still Inside: The Tony Rice Story, written by Tim Stafford and Caroline Wright, delivers Tony’s incredible tale in his own inimitable words, with anecdotes and observations from his friends, family, fans, and fellow musicians.

The biography explores the fascinating life and times of Tony Rice, quintessential flat-picking guitarist: from his at-turns serene and turbulent childhood and adolescence… through his early years exploring the possibilities of the guitar as a lead instrument… his groundbreaking adventures as a pioneer of the new acoustic jazz called Dawg… his precious years as contemporary bluegrass music’s most expressive vocalist… to his current journey as a revered and influential statesman of the acoustic guitar.

Tony Rice’s long road has taken him from coast to coast of his beloved United States and everywhere in between, to Europe and Japan, through pioneering recordings and tours with J.D. Crowe and the New South, the David Grisman Quintet, the Bluegrass Album Band, Peter Rowan, and with the Tony Rice Unit… and on tour with Alison Krauss and Union Station, performing in tribute to Tony’s musical legacy.

Sometimes outrageous, often profound, Tony shares the story of his life with words that are candid, funny, poignant, even heartbreaking. He talks about his musical family, which includes Herb Rice, founder of the Golden State Boys; mandolinist and singer/songwriter Larry Rice; flatpick guitarist Wyatt Rice; and resonator guitarist Frank Poindexter. He recounts memories of Clarence White and other early West Coast bluegrass artists. He shares his memories of creating classic recordings like Rounder 0044, the Bluegrass Albums, The Pizza Tapes with Jerry Garcia and David Grisman, and his own timeless albums with friends like Vassar Clements, Sam Bush, Béla Fleck and others. He recalls the great tragedies of his life, including the death of his father and brother, the flood that took his home, and the loss of his extraordinary voice.

More than 100 people were interviewed for this book, which has been a decade in the making. It’s filled with eyewitness accounts from the people who watched as Tony Rice became a legend. His mother, Louise Poindexter Rice; his brothers Larry, Ron, and Wyatt; his Poindexter uncles; and even his wife, Pamela Hodges Rice, share intimate stories of the early years and offstage world of this very private man. J.D. Crowe, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, David Grisman, Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Rowan, and many others contribute memories and observations of Tony and discuss his impact on their own music.

Woven throughout the anecdotes and memories are excerpts from a journal written by co-author Caroline Wright, who went on the road with Tony for a couple of weeks in the summer of 2003 and again in 2005, interviewing him as he drove to festivals, clubs, and recording studios. Caroline documents his everyday life in detail, and discovers things about Tony that will astonish and intrigue even his most knowledgeable fans.

Thanks to Tim Stafford, a highly respected acoustic guitarist in his own right, this book also provides insight into Tony’s matchless guitar playing. Tim explores Tony’s technique, his timing, his right hand, his choice of picks, and much more. Tim also discusses the life and times of Tony’s prize possession, formerly owned by the great Clarence White: the 1935 Martin D-28 Herringbone guitar also known simply as “The Bone” or “The Antique.”

Tony’s story, told in his own words. Memories and insights from dozens and dozens of his family members, friends, and fans. Studies of his technique and his “Antique.” An inside look at his life on and off the road. A comprehensive discography. A detailed and fascinating timeline. A bibliography of suggested reading for serious fans. More than 100 never-before published photos. Still Inside: The Tony Rice Story might be the bluegrass literary event of the year!

Please check out http://www.tonyricestory.com/ to be placed on a notification list--we'll let you know when the book is ready for pre-orders, which should begin around March 12, with an anticipated release date of April 12 and a world premiere at Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC April 29-May 2.  Order your copy early!