Wyatt Rice
Contemporary Bluegrass
Wyatt Rice was Tony Rice's longtime rhythm-guitar partner in the Tony Rice Unit and the youngest of four flatpicking-family brothers in bluegrass's most distinguished guitar dynasty. He has anchored Tony's live and studio sound across the 1980s and 1990s, fronted his own bands, and now teaches in the East Tennessee State University bluegrass program.
- Born January 6, 1965 in Long Beach, California — the youngest of four brothers in a family of musicians fathered by mandolinist Herb Rice, co-founder of the Golden State Boys. Older brothers: Larry Rice (mandolin / vocals, 1949–2006), Tony Rice (guitar, 1951–2020), and Ronnie Rice (bass).
- Joined the Tony Rice Unit at age 17 in 1982, moving from Florida to California to take the rhythm-guitar chair; remained Tony's primary live guitar partner across the band's run.
- The Tony Rice Unit won the IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year award in 1991 and 1995.
- Played on Unit recordings including Native American (1988) and Tony Rice Plays and Sings Bluegrass (1993), plus the two Rice Brothers reunion albums (1992 and 1994) with Larry, Tony, Ronnie, and Wyatt.
- Released the all-instrumental New Market Gap on Rounder in 1989, with Rickie Simpkins, Sammy Shelor, Ray Legere, and Ron Rice.
- Founded Wyatt Rice and Santa Cruz in 1995, recording Picture in a Tear on Rounder in 1996.
- Joined Ronnie Bowman's band the Committee in 2003; began touring with guitarist Richard Bennett in 2013.
- Now operates Rice Recording Studio, teaches as adjunct faculty in ETSU's bluegrass program, and performs with the Crooked Road Guitar Masters.
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Fisher's HornpipeNew Market Gap (1990)
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Ray LegerePlayed on recording with Wyatt Rice
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Rickie SimpkinsPlayed on recording with Wyatt Rice
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Ron RicePlayed on recording with Wyatt Rice
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Sammy ShelorPlayed on recording with Wyatt Rice
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Wyatt RicePlayed on recording with Wyatt Rice