Bluegrass Great Tony Rice Dead at 69 Bluegrass great Tony Rice died on Christmas Day (Dec. 25). The lauded singer, songwriter and guitarist was 69 years old. According to a statement from the International Bluegrass Music Association, released on Saturday (Dec. 26), Rice was at home in Reidsville, N.C., when he died. A cause of death was not given, though a Facebook post from Ricky Skaggs on behalf of Rice's family reports that his death occurred "sometime during Christmas morning while making his coffee." "Not only was Tony a brilliant guitar player but he was also one of the most stylistic lead vocalist (sic) in bluegrass music history ...," reflects Skaggs, who was part of the New South with Rice in the mid-1970s and later recorded a duets album with Rice. "Rest In Peace dear brother. Thank you for your great talent and the music that will continue to inspire more and more generations to come."