Music Appreciation

BluesRunTheGame

(1,872 posts) Fri Aug 15, 2025, 07:45 PM Aug 15

Tony Rice Unit - "He Rode All The Way to Texas" (John Starling)

I came across this video today. I’d never heard Tony’s version before.

I remembered the Seldom Scene’s version but didn’t realize that it was written by John Starling.

John didn’t write many songs. He made his living as an Otorhinolaryngologist. The song is a masterpiece.

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10 replies

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Tony Rice Unit - "He Rode All The Way to Texas" (John Starling) (Original Post) BluesRunTheGame Aug 15 OP

very sweet! Thanks! - - - -(nt)- stopdiggin Aug 15 #1

Tony was the best. Eko Aug 15 #2

I never got to meet him. BluesRunTheGame Aug 15 #3

Lived in Boone NC for a while and got to meet Doc Watson at the little music store there about 5 or 6 times. Eko Aug 15 #4

Never met Doc either. BluesRunTheGame Aug 15 #5

So many good players, so few of them left. Eko Aug 15 #7

Tony Rice was the best. rubbersole Aug 15 #6

Tony Rice sings Gordon Lightfoot!!! So good! Eko Aug 15 #8

If you're on Facebook look up Jordan Rice. BluesRunTheGame Aug 16 #9

I have the "Native American" album on my driving playlist. rubbersole Aug 16 #10

stopdiggin

(14,434 posts)

1. very sweet! Thanks! - - - -(nt)-

Reply to BluesRunTheGame (Original post)

Fri Aug 15, 2025, 08:35 PM

Aug 15

Eko

(9,694 posts)

2. Tony was the best.

Reply to BluesRunTheGame (Original post)

Fri Aug 15, 2025, 09:20 PM

Aug 15

I lived in Reidsville NC for about 2 years. Never did see him out and about. Met him at shows a bunch though. Great guy.

BluesRunTheGame

(1,872 posts)

3. I never got to meet him.

Reply to Eko (Reply #2)

Fri Aug 15, 2025, 09:54 PM

Aug 15

I saw him play at several summertime festivals in Kentucky and Colorado. I also saw him in a seated theater in Denver with front row seats in Jan 1986. Amazing show!

Eko

(9,694 posts)

4. Lived in Boone NC for a while and got to meet Doc Watson at the little music store there about 5 or 6 times.

Reply to BluesRunTheGame (Reply #3)

Fri Aug 15, 2025, 09:57 PM

Aug 15

He was cool.

BluesRunTheGame

(1,872 posts)

5. Never met Doc either.

Reply to Eko (Reply #4)

Fri Aug 15, 2025, 10:08 PM

Aug 15

Saw him play at the festival in Beanblossom, IN. and the one at Telluride, CO.

I did get to meet Bill Monroe after a show in Boulder, CO.

Norman Blake had opened that show but he was long gone by the time Bill had finished his set.

Eko

(9,694 posts)

7. So many good players, so few of them left.

Reply to BluesRunTheGame (Reply #5)

Fri Aug 15, 2025, 11:05 PM

Aug 15

Dont get me wrong there are a lot of good new players. But getting old is a funny thing.

rubbersole

(10,587 posts)

6. Tony Rice was the best.

Reply to BluesRunTheGame (Original post)

Fri Aug 15, 2025, 10:44 PM

Aug 15

Flat pickers Doc Watson and Tony Rice in the same post. Thank you all.

Eko

(9,694 posts)

8. Tony Rice sings Gordon Lightfoot!!! So good!

Reply to rubbersole (Reply #6)

Fri Aug 15, 2025, 11:07 PM

Aug 15

One of the best albums that showed his vocals as much as his playing.
Was listening to this last night, hadn't heard it in a while. His chord voicing is so good as well as his vocals.

BluesRunTheGame

(1,872 posts)

9. If you're on Facebook look up Jordan Rice.

Reply to Eko (Reply #8)

Sat Aug 16, 2025, 12:54 AM

Aug 16

He’s Tony’s nephew (Wyatt’s son, I think)

He posts a lot of stuff related to Tony and his brothers.

rubbersole

(10,587 posts)

10. I have the "Native American" album on my driving playlist.

Reply to Eko (Reply #8)

Sat Aug 16, 2025, 01:14 AM

Aug 16

The other great artists on there just have a couple of songs at most. The Beatles have 4 out of 56.

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