Wyatt Rice (Band)

Biography:

Fans of acoustic guitar music should be well acquainted with the name of Wyatt Rice. Wyatt was first spotlighted as an original member of the Tony Rice Unit where he played primarily rhythm guitar. Wyatt has been featured on numerous recordings, videos, and has played countless gigs with the the Tony Rice Unit. He played lead and rhythm guitar with his own band “Wyatt Rice & Santa Cruz” and with The Ronnie Bowman Committee. Wyatt has recorded or performed with players such as David Grisman, JD Crowe, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Dan Tyminski, Alison Krauss, Bela Fleck, Rickie Simpkins, Ronnie Bowman, Lee Ann Womack, The Lonesome River Band, Sierra Hull, Ricky Skaggs, as well as his brothers Larry, Tony and Ronnie. Wyatt has recorded “Advanced Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar” (DVD) with Flatpicking Guitar Magazine and been featured on several of their special compilation CDs.

Wyatt Rice was born in Long Beach California in 1965, but due to the need to move with the job, the Rice family was all over the country from Florida to California to Texas to Virginia, North Carolina, and places in between. Several members of the family played instruments and it was natural for the Rice brothers themselves to start playing. Thus, Wyatt found himself with a guitar in hand by age 6, playing “Little Brown Jug”. Although he kept up with guitar during his school years, Wyatt’s musical training included stints on alto saxophone, bassoon, and bass in the school marching band. When Tony recorded his landmark “Church Street Blues” album he flew Wyatt out to California to record a couple of tracks with him. From there on, Wyatt’s goal was to play guitar with Tony and, at age 17, he got his wish, moving from Florida to California to play on the “Backwaters” album.

When the Tony Rice Unit came together in 1984, it featured Wyatt Rice on rhythm guitar. That band made an indelible footprint in the world of acoustic music, giving Wyatt world-wide exposure as a rhythm and lead guitarist. The Tony Rice Unit took a short break in the mid-90’s and Wyatt took the opportunity to develop some more of his own ideas. Wyatt formed a new band called "Wyatt Rice & Santa Cruz". They toured and recorded a classic bluegrass CD for Rounder Records called "Picture In A Tear". Shortly after, Wyatt started working particularly with Flatpicking Guitar Magazine on several projects. Wyatt then went on to record and produce a Christmas CD with long time friend, Rickie Simpkins "Acoustic Christmas".

When Ronnie Bowman, formerly of the Lonesome River Band, formed his own band- the Ronnie Bowman Committee- Wyatt was on-board, while also playing shows with the coming-out-of-hiatus Tony Rice Unit. And finally, Wyatt has been a featured instructor at Kaufman Kamp, Fur Peace Ranch, Roanoke Bluegrass Weekend, and Rocky Grass Academy.

Website: http://www.wyattrice.com/

Links:
Facebook Link for Wyatt Rice

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