Branching Out

"Roots is roots," says the impish, curly-haired Peter Rowan. "Once you know the root you can know the tree." Rowan has done a lot of digging, but no matter what type of musical branch he explores—rock and reggae feature prominently in his music—bluegrass is always seed. He's cult figure to those who have figured him out, and a haunting vocal cry to those who've heard him, but never quite separated him from the din of commercial radio. Click here for more.

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No Depression
Nov/Dec Issue

Peter Rowan & Tony Rice
You Were There For Me

Like Bill Monroe, in whose band Rowan served some 40 years ago, Rowan is both powerful and idiosyncratic; he has built a career around a unique combination of deep roots and sometimes fanciful eclecticism. Tony Rice’s approach is more studied and deliberate, yet he too has ranged widely, from traditional bluegrass through (the unfortunately named) “spacegrass” and “new acoustic” music, with a crowd of acolytes and imitators trailing behind. Click here for more.

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NEW YORKER MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER, 2004

B. B. KING BLUES CLUB & GRILL
237 W. 42nd St. (212-997-4144)—Nov. 3: The Tony Rice and Peter Rowan quartet. If bluegrass has a guitar god, it’s Rice. His graceful playing has left a generation of aspiring guitarists trying to duplicate his clean, high-speed, otherworldly sound. He also had a warm baritone, but a decade ago overuse diminished it. He turned the singing over to Rowan, a master of high lonesome who came of age in Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys and went on to record, with Jerry Garcia, Vassar Clements, and David Grisman, the legendary live bluegrass album “Old & In the Way.” Rice and Rowan have played together for years, but they have only now completed their first full studio album, “You Were There for Me.” http://www.newyorker.com/goingson/nightlife/

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Relix
November 2004
Peter Rowan and Tony Rice

You Were There for Me
This pairing of long-time friends and musical legends Peter Rowan and Tony Rice is a musical marriage made in heaven. Rowan’s one of the most expressive and resonant vocalists around and Rice is one of the most inventive and imaginative flat-picking guitarists of all time. Thankfully, they are both in top form on this ten-cut disc. The two have considerable command of multiple musical genres and they exude warmth and joy as they weave their way through this mix of bluegrass, blues, country and folk material. The title cut is a highlight as are “Shirt Off My Back” and a jazzy take on “Cowboys and Indians.” These two bring new twists and nuances to familiar music.

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CMT.com
Peter Rowan and Tony Rice Explore a Subtle Sound
10/13/04

"If we structured it, we'd be so bored with ourselves in no time, we wouldn't know what to do," guitarist Tony Rice says. "The older I get, the less I like structure."

The guitarist is talking about his live shows with Peter Rowan, but his description also applies to You Were There for Me, their first full album together. And if Rowan and Rice dislike strict structure, the subtle power of their music proves that you have to know the rules if you truly want to break them. Their new Rounder CD is very much a collaboration, yet it continues the individual creative journeys that have established their reputations as two of the most adventurous players in acoustic music. Click here for more of the story.

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ANNUAL INDOOR FESTIVAL AT HOLIDAY INN SUNSPREE FEATURES NATIONAL, REGIONAL STARS
Feb 04

Peter Rowan thinks Tony Rice is a genius. "He's the best guitar player in the world," said Rowan. The warmth and brilliance of their interaction may be the cure you need for the winter bluegrass blues. They're headlining this weekend's 9th annual Bluegrass First Class festival together, indoors at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort, along with Jimmy Martin, J.D Crowe, Ronnie Bowman, IIIrd Tyme Out and other bluegrass greats. Even better, there's bluegrass and acoustic music all over Asheville this weekend. It may be cold out, but fans are warming up for hot tunes and festival season. "This is a really solid hometown event for Asheville," said Bluegrass First Class founder and producer Milton Harkey. "It combines national bluegrass artists with the best of the local groups."
Click Here for more