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Tam_Zeb - Posted - 12/28/2020: 11:57:16
Message from Banjo Ben Clark on the passing of Tony Rice
On my cabin wall hangs a picture that was taken by a flip phone. It's fuzzy, but it's one of my most prized possessions because it's me and my guitar hero, Tony Rice.
In 2004 I moved to Nashville and started working numerous jobs, one of those being a gift shop employee at the Grand Ole Opry. I'd walk the aisles before the shows would start, hawking Opry Picture History Books to music-hungry tourists. Of course, the biggest reason I worked there was to get close to that iconic stage and the folks that graced it.
As employees we were forbidden to approach Opry artists. We could lose our job, but I couldn't help myself one day in 2005 just outside the artist entrance. It was worth the risk to say hello to my hero and briefly tell him what he meant to me! I didn't ask him for a picture, but he asked if I'd like one and I leapt at the chance.
Tony passed away Christmas morning and my heart is sad with the news. There are many brilliant tributes to the man. This is not one of those–just a story of how my life intersected with a humble genius revered by so many. He wouldn't have remembered meeting me, but I'll never forget it. And from what I've heard from some friends, I believe we'll meet again one day.
I have near 200 guitar lessons on the site. There are just a handful that don't have Tony's fingerprints on them. Lord, thank you for the gift of Tony Rice. Join me in praying for his family during this time.
Where the Soul of Man Never Dies
Here is one of the many lessons inspired by Tony. I've made this one free for everyone to access, all you need is a free Silver Pick membership to view the lesson.
banjobenclark.com/lessons/wher...ifQ%3D%3D
