Chris Eldridge Bluegrass legend Tony Rice died on Christmas Day at age 69. To properly memorialize his prowess and spirit, Variety turned to one of his truest acolytes and a recognized contemporary great — Chris Eldridge, of Punch Brothers and Infamous Stringdusters fame (pictured above with Rice in 2001) — who penned the following tribute to his friend and mentor.
Tony Rice was the greatest bluegrass guitar player to ever live. That may sound hyperbolic, but he singlehandedly changed the way the guitar is played in bluegrass forever, elevating it to a high art and creating its platonic form.
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