Tony Rice pays tribute to Big Mon

Rice recorded the music over 15 years. The material, consisting of major songs and instrumentals by Monroe, was recorded in a variety of band configurations over these years and previously released, but never as a compilation.

Though Tony Rice grew up exposed to a fairly broad range of music, as did Monroe himself, he primarily "grew up" in bluegrass. Over the course of his career, the Virginia native has played alongside J.D. Crowe & the New South, David Grisman, Jerry Garcia, Norman Blake, the Tony Rice Unit and the Bluegrass Album Band. In 1983, he received a Grammy Award for "Best Country Instrumental Performance" as part of the New South band. He has received several International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards.

Rice's childhood was spent listening to live bluegrass music in Southern California, where his family had moved when he was young. There his father introduced him to the sounds of Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys.

"I see Bill Monroe in the same light as Miles Davis, absolutely the best...as pure as it gets," Rice said.

Songs are:

1. I'm On My Way Back To The Old Home

2. When You Are Lonely

3. Jerusalem Ridge

4. Muleskinner Blues

5. Sittin' Alone In The Moonlight

6. Stoney Lonesome

7. Molly And Tenbrooks

8. River Of Death

9. Gold Rush

10. On And On

11. I Believe in You Darling

12. Cheyenne

13. Little Cabin Home On The Hill

14. You're Drifting Away