Rice has been a Lightfoot fan since high school. The Phil Ochs tune, "Changes," which Lightfoot recorded in the 60's, I believe was an early influence. Rice's impact on Bluegrass Music and acoustic music has been rather spectacular. He became one of the first stars of the new school of Bluegrass, and has reached icon status to many. Starting with JD Crowe and the New South in the early 70's, his respect for Lightfoot music was evident with their recording of Ten Degrees and You Are What I Am (Rounder 0044). Since then, he has included Lightfoot tunes on practically every project. I am not a big fan of Lightfoot covers, but Rice gets a free pass. His interpretation, arrangements, and guitar playing on all of these songs is phenomenal. Rice no longer sings because of some throat problems, but he is still regarded as one of the best acoustic guitar players in the world.
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