The Burnett Sisters – 2026 Tony Rice MusicFest – photo © G. Nicholas Hancock
The 2026 Tony Rice Memorial Day MusicFest is in full swing. Held at the historic Blue Grass Park at Camp Springs near Reidsville, NC, the first day saw a light drizzle, but the show went on.
The festival opened with prayer by the Rev. Jason Simmons, and the singing of the national anthem by MC, Cindy Baucom. Three bands performed: Hot Wax & the Splinters, The Burnett Sisters, and the Darren Nicholson Band. Each group paid homage to the late Tony Rice in some fashion.
Hot Wax & the Splinters featured RIce-style breaks from their guitarists Tommy Chandler and Truett Wagner. 14-year-old Wagner also sported a cap with “58957,” the serial number of Rice’s legendary 1935 D-28 Martin guitar. They also had a special guest, IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year, Greg Blake, join them for a Rice-infused number.
Blake shared, “I’ve been a big fan of Tony Rice for about 50 years. Here’s an old Flatt & Scruggs tune from the Bluegrass Album Band, Volume 1, Blue Ridge Cabin Home.”
Then during The Burnett Sisters’ set, guitarist Geary Allen, took the stage solo to share a couple of Rice numbers, The Streets of London and Church Street Blues.
The latter portion of Darren Nicholson’s show was devoted to Tony Rice, performing many of his classic songs including Summer Wages, Carolina Star, Molly & Tenbrooks, Some Old Day, and Fare Thee Well, to name a few.
Darren expressed his love for Rice.
“This is the Tony Rice Memorial Festival. I love Tony Rice. I love his music. When I was with Balsam Range, I got to record with Tony and do four or five shows with him. It was just magic. I absolutely love him. What a singer!
Everybody talks about his guitar playing, I loved his singing, too. He was a real singer. I thought he was a master interpreter.
When I hear Tony do the Gordon Lightfoot stuff… He cut a big, wide path through not only bluegrass, but American music.”
Promoter Cody Johnson shared, “We loved all three bands and though the weather was not ideal, we are gonna have some great fun with bluegrass the rest of the week.”
Friday features Newfound Road, Appalachian Road Show, Dave Adkins, Headin’ Home, and Tobacco Road. Saturday’s show includes a Mountain Heart Tribute, Shannon Slaughter, Headin’ Home, Dear MariBella & the Pigkickers, and concludes with the Dan Tyminski Band.
Camp Springs Blue Grass Park is located at 540 Boone Road, Elon, NC. For more information, call 336–213–1944.
