Like the title of her highly acclaimed latest album, "One Step Ahead" on Rounder Records, Rhonda Vincent has always been ahead of the pack. She presented her brand of Contemporary Bluegrass music at a time when the formats open to women, restricted them to softly sung or mournful ballads. Vincent broke away from the others and gave the "guys" a run for their money by being the only female to tackle progressive chord structures and multi-range, fast paced vocals. Breaking from the traditional garb of bluegrass musicians with her black leather jeans, her flawless attack style of mandolin playing, and self written new music, a modern version of male greats of the past, reviewers of her live shows "tagged" her 'The Mandolin Mama.'
Titles are nothing new to Vincent. She held the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) title of 'Entertainer of the Year' in 2001, the 'Female Vocalist of the Year' for four years, is a 2004 Grammy winner, and multiple winner of honors from bluegrass societies nationwide. She was most proud when the Wall Street Journal called her the 'Queen of Bluegrass.'
But, Vincent isn"t stopping there. The goal she"s set for herself is to bring Contemporary Bluegrass to the masses. 'I see Bluegrass as the "sister music" of country music and am glad to finally see that radio programmers are beginning to agree,' said Vincent in a recent interview during CRS (Country Radio Seminar) in Nashville when she performed for program directors gathered from across the US. The difference between what was known as "contemporary bluegrass" and "country" is that the music has a less produced sound, and individual musicianship is showcased more, which creates a more earthy sound that"s really catching on with the public,' said Vincent. 'In the past, a bluegrass song would not even be heard on country radio, now, Contemporary Bluegrass songs are being requested by listeners daily,' added Vincent. Her current single, 'If Heartaches Had Wings' is showing up on play lists and country music charts, all due to the demand of the listeners and their love of its sound.' Looks like Vincent has reached still another goal.. Staying 'One Step Ahead.'
Awards
IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association)
- 2003 Female Vocalist of the Year
- 2002 Female Vocalist of the Year
- 2001 Entertainer of the Year
- 2001 Female Vocalist of the Year
- 2001 Recorded Event of the Year
- 2000 Female Vocalist of the Year
- 1999 Clinch Mountain Country - Recorded Event
SPBGMA (Society for Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America)
- 2004 Entertainer of the Year
- 2004 Female Vocalist - Contemporary
- 2004 Bluegrass Band of the Year - Overall
- 2004 Album of the Year - One Step Ahead
- 2004 Single of the Year - Kentucky Borderline
- 2004 Fiddle Player of the Year - Hunter Berry
- 2003 Entertainer of the Year
- 2003 Female Vocalist - Contemporary
2003 Bluegrass Band of the Year - Overall
- 2003 Single of the Year - Is The Grass Any Bluer
- 2003 Fiddle Player of the Year - Hunter Berry
- 2002 Entertainer of the Year
2002 Female Vocalist - Contemporary
- 2002 Bluegrass Album of the Year - The Storm Still Rages
- 2002 Bluegrass Band of the Year - Overall
- 2001 Female Vocalist - Contemporary
- 1988 Female Vocalist - Contemporary
- 1988 Female Vocalist - Overall
- 1987 Female Vocalist - Contemporary
- 1987 Female Vocalist - Overall
- 1986 Female Vocalist - Overall
- 1986 Master"s Medal of Merit -In honor of 5 consecutive years of Female Vocalist -Traditional
- 1985 Female Vocalist - Overall
- 1985 Female Vocalist - Traditional
- 1984 Female Vocalist - Traditional
- 1983 Female Vocalist - Traditional
- 1982 Female Vocalist - Traditional
- 1981 Female Vocalist - Traditional
- 1974 Best Single Recording - Muleskinner Blues
