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Rhonda Vincent during her first performance |
Hundreds of outstanding musicians are appearing as part of Silver Dollar City’s traditional fall Festival of American Music & Crafts, Sep. 14 – Oct. 28, 2006. One of those musicians is the lady some call “the queen of modern bluegrass” and the winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year for the last seven consecutive years, Rhonda Vincent.
Although she had a harried schedule because it was her first day performing at the festival she not only made time for an interview but was very gracious and forthcoming during the interview. In all honesty, it was like talking with a friend for a few moments.
When asked, “If this was your last performance what one song that you have written and/or performed would you want Rhonda Vincent to be remembered by and why?” Without hesitation she replied, “Is the Grass Any Bluer on the Other Side,’ because it is a tribute to Bill Monroe the father of bluegrass.” Then, in an almost reverent tone she continued, “The song asks ‘so tell me Bill, is the grass any bluer on the other side?’”
Research on that song revealed that the line previous to the one she quoted says, “The music from your mandolin, spread like wildfire in the wind, And echoed through the hollows and the hills, [so tell me Bill, Is the grass any bluer on the other side?”] Interestingly, although Rhonda plays different instruments well, by far the one she is the most noted for is the mandolin.
A recent news article said, “The queen of modern bluegrass is a traditionalist named Rhonda Vincent.” When asked “What one number in today’s show best demonstrates the traditional aspects of bluegrass music and how does it do it?” Vincent replied, “Quite possibly the song “All American Blue Grass Girl” because it has a Jimmy Martin feel and he was considered the king of bluegrass. The song is the title track of Rhonda Vincent’s new album “All American Bluegrass Girl” and was written with her life in mind as a kind of musical autobiography about her life.
In discussing the “All American Bluegrass Girl,” her newest album, Rhonda said, “Collectively that whole project describes the style of music and the whole collaboration that we have.” She pointed out that she grew up in a musical family, that her brother and she have been producing music together for a long time, and that although recording technology changes, what has to be done to make a successful record has not. You start with the best songs, music and musicians possible, add your own distinctive style, and present it in a way that pleases your audience. [Author’s note: Since the interview Rhonda Vincent’s newest album entitled “Beautiful Star –A Christmas Collection” has been released.]
%%%%Rhonda Vincent- "Git R Done and The Rage%%
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| Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, left to right banjo player Kenny Ingram, Rhonda, fiddler Hunter Berry, ,bassist Mickey Harris and guitarist/mandolinist Josh Williams. |
Originally Published In the Branson Courier on Oct. 2023, 2006.
In researching for the interview there was a news story that quoted Vincent as saying, “If something needs to be done, do it.” When I first read that it reminded me of Larry the Cable Guy’s “Git R Done.” I shared that with her and asked, “Was there a turning point in either your career or music where something needed to be done and you had to do it?”
She smiled, kind of nodded her head in agreement, and said, “Git R Done, that’s exactly right but there was no big moment or turning point. It’s a day to day reality thing. If it needs to be done just do it” She applied it to the circumstances of traveling together with her band in a bus and said, “I can’t ask these guys to do anything that I’m not willing to do myself. If I expect them to take out the trash or set up the merch [cds, pictures, etc. they have available for sale after each performance] then I have to be willing to do that too.”
Rhonda continued by pointing out that it’s an expectation and a respect for yourself and others that enables you to approach tasks with a willingness to do them. As she put it, “Instead of I don’t want to do this, let me do this.”
A news account of Rhonda’s band “The Rage” said that it “is now considered among bluegrass music’s most impressive ensembles.” When asked “What is it about them that most impresses you?” Vincent replied, with obvious affection and pride, “My goal when I first started the band ten years ago was to put together the ultimate group. First of all you want great musicians who are incredibly talented on their instruments but it goes beyond that. I have great musicians who are great people and everybody shares the camaraderie of each other. To me it’s that unique combination of everything together that makes it a magical unit.”
The performance that I had just seen and heard was testimony to just how magical. As to be expected from a band with this reputation, the musicianship of each member, fiddler Hunter Berry, banjo player Kenny Ingram, bassist Mickey Harris and guitarist/mandolinist Josh Williams was flawless. Yet, it was the way that individual musicianship was combined with their ability to interact with their audience, each other and Rhonda and she with them that resulted in a very special entertainment experience that was over too quickly.
As the time for her next performance drew near I asked, “What one thing do you want people who attend your show to remember most when they leave?” Without hesitation she replied, “You hope that each song will touch someone and make a difference in their life. You want them to take something that is going to touch them and that they can carry with them.”
Authors note: Rhonda Vincent is scheduled to be back at Silver Dollar City, May 15-16, 2007, for Silver Dollar City’s “Bluegrass and BBQ Festival.” As part of her current 2006 tour she will be appearing at Remington’s in Springfield, MO on November 12. For the remainder of her 2006 schedule and 2007 schedule click here.
