Larry Rice (musician) explained

Larry Rice
Birth Name:Larry Prentis Rice
Birth Date:24 April 1949
Birth Place:Danville, Virginia, U.S.
Death Place:Inverness, Florida, U.S.
Genre:Bluegrass music
Occupation:Musician
Years Active:1969–2006
Past Member Of:The Rice Brothers

Larry Prentis Rice (April 24, 1949 – May 13, 2006) was an American mandolinist, singer, songwriter, and band leader in the bluegrass tradition. He is known for his solo albums and for his unique syncopated mandolin picking style.[1]

Biography

Early years

Rice was born in Danville, Virginia, but grew up in California, the oldest of the Rice brothers (Tony, Ronnie, and Wyatt). His father Herb started the Golden State Boys bluegrass band along with Hal and Leon Poindexter.[2] [3] While playing in the Golden State Boys, Rice befriended Chris Hillman.[4] [5]

Inspired by brothers Roland and Clarence White of the California-based Kentucky Colonels Rice and his brothers Tony (guitar) and Ronnie (bass) performed as The Haphazards and in other configurations, including Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party.[6]

J. D. Crowe

In 1969, Rice moved to Kentucky and began his professional career in the Kentucky Mountain Boys, J. D. Crowe's first band.[7] Rice also helped form Crowe's next band the New South. Other members included Doyle Lawson, Red Allen, and Bobby Slone.[8] [9]

Dicky Betts

Rice was a member of the Dickey Betts Band in 1975 when Betts toured to support his Highway Call album. Vassar Clements and Rice's uncle Frank Poindexter were also members of the band.[10]

Solo recordings

In 1975, Rice recorded his first solo album Mr. Poverty on the King Bluegrass label. Starting in 1979, Rice retired from music for several years. Rice's next solo album Hurricanes and Daydreams (1985) was followed by Time Machine (1987).[11]

Recorded in 1989 and released in 1990, Artesia found Rice helped out instrumentally by Rickie Simpkins (vocals, fiddle), Clay Jones, Tony Rice, Wyatt Rice (guitar), Steve Wilson (resonator guitar), Sammy Shelor (banjo), Jon Carroll (piano), Ronnie Simpkins (bass), and Robbie Magruder (drums). Mary Chapin Carpenter was guest vocalist.

Notions and Novelties was released in 1996, featuring Gabe Valla and Tony Rice (guitar), James Tucker and Frank Poindexter (resonator guitar), Mark Johnson and Wynn Osborne (banjo), Rickie Simpkins (fiddle), and Tracy Collins (piano, drums).

Rice, Rice, Hillman and Pedersen

In 1989, Rice recorded the album The Rice Brothers for Rounder Records with his three brothers Tony, Ron, and Wyatt. They followed up with The Rice Brothers 2 in 1994.[12] [13]

In the 1990s, Rice recorded and performed with his brother Tony, Chris Hillman, and Herb Pedersen as Rice, Rice, Hillman and Pedersen.[14]

Later career

Rice released his final solo album Clouds Over Carolina in 2005. Joining him were Ronnie Simpkins (bass), Jeff Parker (background vocals); Tony Rice and Wyatt Rice (guitar), Frank Poindexter (resonator guitar); Sammy Shelor (banjo), and Rickie Simpkins (fiddle).[15]

Rice died from mesothelioma cancer in Inverness, Florida, on May 13, 2006, at the age of 57.[16]

In 2014, Rebel Records released the 16-track retrospective album If You Only Knew: The Best of Larry Rice.[17]

Discography

Solo albums

With J. D. Crowe

With Tony Rice

Larry Rice and Niles Hokkanen

The Rice Brothers

With Rice, Rice, Hillman, and Pedersen

As composer

Also appears on

Notes and References

  1. Book: Erlewine, Michael. 1997. All Music Guide to Country: The Experts' Guide to the Best Recordings in Country Music. 9780879304751. September 23, 2017.
  2. Web site: ICMC To Discuss The Golden Age of Bluegrass. Cybergrass. September 24, 2017. March 4, 2013.
  3. Web site: Larry Rice (1949-2006). The Mandolin Tuner. September 24, 2017.
  4. Web site: Larry Rice Memorial. Swampland. September 22, 2017. Derek Halsey. April 1, 2006.
  5. Web site: Spotlight Artist: Chris Hillman and the Desert Rose Band. My Kind of Country. September 24, 2017. April 1, 2014.
  6. Web site: Krauss & Rice: A Bluegrass Star and Her Hero. Washington Post. September 22, 2017. Richard Harrington. May 11, 2007.
  7. Book: Kleber, John E.. 1992. The Kentucky Encyclopedia. 0813128838. September 24, 2017.
  8. Web site: Rebel Collection Honoring the Late Larry Rice Due Tuesday. Cybergrass. September 22, 2017. September 26, 2014.
  9. Book: Godbey, Marty. September 1, 2011. Crowe on the Banjo: The Music Life of J.D. Crowe. 9780252093531. September 23, 2017.
  10. Web site: Highway Call Album Review – Richard Betts, Chuck Leavell, Vassar Clements, John Hughey. Journey Home. September 23, 2017. Paul Burke. August 18, 2017.
  11. Web site: A Discussion with Mandolin Tablature for "The Banks Of The Ohio": Larry and Tony Rice. North West Bluegrass News. September 24, 2017. John Baldry. January 23, 1999.
  12. Book: Griffin, Sid. Eric Thompson. 2005. Bluegrass Guitar: Know the Players, Play the Music. 9780879308704. September 24, 2017.
  13. Web site: Rounder Records Releases Bluegrass Songs as Part of Digital Reissue Initiative. The Daily Country. September 24, 2017. August 1, 2016.
  14. Web site: Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen: Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen. Rambles. September 23, 2017. Chet Williamson .
  15. Web site: Larry Rice - Clouds Over Carolina. Country Standard Time. September 24, 2017. Larry Stephens.
  16. News: Schardl . Kati . 2006-05-19 . Farewell to an Icon of Acoustic Music . . Limelight 15 . Rice passed away Saturday...in Inverness, surrounded by loved ones..
  17. Web site: The Best of Larry Rice from Rebel. Bluegrass Today. September 24, 2017. John Lawless. September 25, 2014.
  18. Web site: Album Review: Rice, Rice, Hillman And Pedersen – 'Out Of The Woodwork'. My Kind of Country. September 24, 2017. April 25, 2014.
  19. Web site: Tony Rice - Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen. No Depression. September 24, 2017. Paul Birch. October 31, 1999.

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