Wyatt Rice | |
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Born |
Long Beach, California |
January 6, 1965
Genres | Bluegrass music |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
Years active | 1984–present |
Labels | Rounder Records, Mountain Fever Records |
Associated acts | The Tony Rice Unit, Wyatt Rice and Santa Cruz, the Wyatt Rice and Dan Menzone Alliance |
Website | wyattrice |
Wyatt Rice is an American flatpicking guitarist and singer in the bluegrass tradition. He is best known for his solo albums and his work in his brother's group the Tony Rice Unit.
Rice was born in Long Beach, California but grew up in Florida and other locations. He began playing guitar at age six, learning from his father Herb Rice. He also played alto saxophone, bassoon, and bass in his school marching band.
At age 17, Rice moved from Florida to California to be a member of his brother Tony Rice's band, the Tony Rice Unit. He stayed with the band for 15 years.
In 1990, Rice released his all-instrumental solo album New Market Gap on the Rounder Records label with help from Rickie Simpkins (fiddle), Sammy Shelor (banjo), Ray Legere (mandolin), and Ron Rice (bass).
Rice formed his own band Santa Cruz in 1995 and in 1996, released the album Picture in a Tear. Personnel included Simpkins, Legere Elmer Burchet (banjo), Ricky Riddle (mandolin), Junior Sisk (guitar), and Timmy Massey (bass).
Rice joined Ronnie Bowman’s band The Committee in 2003 along with Andy Hall (resonator guitar), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle), and Garnet Imes Bowman (harmony vocals).
In 2013, Rice began touring with fellow flatpicking guitarist Richard Bennett.
In 2016, Rice and Dan Menzone released the Something Out of the Blue album on the Mountain Fever Records as the Wyatt Rice and Dan Menzone Alliance. Other artists involved include Rob Ickes (dobro), Fred Carpenter (fiddle), Adam Steffey (mandolin), and Ron Rice (bass).Donna Hughes wrote the lead-off song, "Lonesome Highway" which was sung by Russell Moore and Dale Ann Bradley.
Wyatt recorded the music instruction DVD “Advanced Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar” for Flatpicking Guitar Magazine, with Rickie Simpkins, Kenny Smith, Sammy Shelor, and Tony Rice helping out. Rice also operates Rice Recording Studio, and teaches guitar.