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Rhonda Vincent- "Git R Done and The Rage
published: Oct 23, 2006
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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.
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