Bluegrass’VincentThe Rage

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WILMINGTON — Grammy-nominated singer Rhonda Vincent and her band The Rage will perform a special show at Roberts Centre Friday night as part of the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival.

Vincent is currently on tour promoting her latest album, “Only Me.”

Born in rural Missouri, Vincent’s childhood was defined by music — more specifically, bluegrass.

“I grew up in a musical family,” she told the News Journal. “My dad would pick me up from school, and after dinner my friends would come over and we would play until bedtime.”

Vincent went on to record several mainstream country albums in the 1990s, performing alongside iconic country and bluegrass voices such as Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Keith Urban, Alan Jackson, Faith Hill, Martina McBride and Hank Williams, Jr.

Vincent said she returned to her roots 15 years ago by putting together her own bluegrass band. Since then, she said the challenges haven’t stopped — two of her biggest difficulties remain in the areas of relationships and finance.

“Balancing personalities … and balancing a checkbook,” she said. “It’s making what you love and what you want to do also pay the bills.”

Despite the challenges, Vincent said she’s happy where she is. A 15-year dream of hers, she said, has been making a perfect band — a dream realized with The Rage, one of the most-awarded bluegrass bands in country music history.

“I feel like I’ve really reached a pinnacle with putting together the best band ever,” she said.

Joe Mullins, a host of this weekend and lead singer of Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, said the festival has a been bringing bluegrass to the masses since 2003. He said he’s known Vincent since she began performing at the festival near the beginning.

“With Rhonda here on Veterans Day, it’s always special,” he said. “We create a special tribute to all the veterans that will be in attendance.”

Vincent said the festival has become something more than a performance to her.

“It becomes a family affair for us,” she said. “We know we’re going to see certain people we might not get to see the rest of the year.”

Mullins said the SOIMF has featured acts from at least 20 states, Canada, the United Kingdom and Japan.

“We’re bringing them from all over,” he said.

Vincent said festival goers can expect a personal experience for themselves as well.

“It’s not just like coming to a festival or a concert,” she said. “We sign after the show… I’m the one who does our social media, so we get to stay in touch well beyond the show and it’s a very personal experience.”

Vincent’s performance will take place at 4 p.m.

Other performers this weekend include Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time, Idletymes, The Malpass Brothers and more.

According to its website, the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival features nationally known acoustic music groups, including pioneers of bluegrass music and a sampling of up-and-coming bands. The SOIMF features bluegrass, old-time and gospel music, in a family-friendly environment.

For more scheduling and ticket information, go to www.somusicfest.com. SOIMF can be reached by email at [email protected] or by calling 937-372-5804.

Rhonda Vincent and The Rage will perform Friday at the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_rhonda_vincentredpublicity2_0.jpgRhonda Vincent and The Rage will perform Friday at the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival. Courtesy photo
Bluegrass performer and band to play Southern Ohio Indoor Music Fest

By David Wright

For The News Journal

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