Bluegrass star Tony Rice dead at 69 By Bluegrass star Tony Rice has died at age 69. File photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Bluegrass star Tony Rice has died at age 69, his former record label announced on social media. "Tony Rice June 8, 1951 - December 25, 2020 We were all deeply saddened by the news of Tony Rice's sudden passing on Christmas Day, and we offer our deepest condolences to his loved ones and his many fans. May he Rest In Peace," Rounder Records said Saturday. Advertisement The California native was a guitarist famous for his flat-picking skills. Throughout his decades-long career, he played with the bands J.D. Crowe and the New South, as well as with guitarist Norman Blake, mandolin player David Grisman and the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia.