Rhonda Vincent is a Great Pick for Next Grand Ole Opry Member
The current “Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent will be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. Surprised on stage by mentor Jeannie Seely Friday night (2-28) during the Grand Ole Opry presentation, Vincent had to ask Seely twice if she was serious (which of course she was), before Vincent responded “Absolutely, 100%. Oh my gosh, I grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry.” Vincent had been signaling for years that she wanted to be a member. Her full induction will be March 28th.
One of the regulars on the Grand Ole Opry stage who hadn’t been rewarded with a full-time membership, and with seven Grammy nominations and a seven-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year recipient, Rhonda Vincent certainly has the prestige and respect to become a member of country music’s most historic institution.
Originally from Greentop, Missouri, Vincent started performing in the family band The Sally Mountain Show at an early age, later launching a solo career in both the country and bluegrass fields to moderate success on the Rebel and Giant record labels, and later for Warner. It was when Vincent signed with Rounder Records in 2000 that started her historic run in bluegrass, dominating the scene for nearly a decade as the genre’s leading lady. She’s continued that success into the current era, winning the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album in 2018 for All The Rage: Volume 1.
Though bluegrass and mandolin are what Rhonda Vincent are best known for, she has been a regular collaborator with country artists over the years as both a player, harmony singer, and stage performer. Albums from Dolly Parton, Alan Jackson, Tanya Tucker, Joe Diffie, and many more include contributions from Rhonda, including her collaboration with Daryle Singletary from 2017, American Grandstand.
Along with the invitation to Gene Watson on January 17th, the Opry is signaling an effort to finally reward many of the artists who’ve long upheld the Opry traditions, but have eluded proper induction well past their time. Though new Grand Ole Opry executive producer Dan Rogers has said there won’t be any reinstatement of Hank Williams, he is signaling an effort to make sure to honor many long-time Grand Ole Opry performers with the first two picks for Opry induction under his watch.
“Throughout her award-winning career, Rhonda has always made time to visit us at the Opry,” says Dan Rogers. “She is a force of nature on stage, and a friend to fellow artists and fans alike behind the scenes. Her songs have a home among the many styles of music we celebrate at the Opry for the rest of her career.”
February 29, 2020 @ 10:16 am
Amazing! She should have been inducted a long time ago. It’s hard to believe she’s 57. Although she’s still got a lot of good years ahead of her, you’d think they would have inducted her in her prime years. But, better late than never.
This is the first induction I wouldn’t mind attending, but that would mean I’d have to step foot in Trashville!
A huge Congratulations to Rhonda! A win for the good guys (and gals)!
February 29, 2020 @ 12:26 pm
Hop, it’s ok to step foot in Trashville. I go often. There’s so much good stuff to be found, regardless of the garbage coming out of music row. The Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, Musicians Hall of fame, 3rd and Lindsley, Robert’s, Nashville Palace are all worthy of a visit.
February 29, 2020 @ 12:36 pm
I haven’t been to Nashville since 2000 for the George Strait Country Music Festival at Adelphia Coliseum. I used to live in Hopkinsville, Kentucky (45 min north) when I was a kid in the 90s. I did all that Nashville tourist stuff back then. Now, I wouldn’t have iNashville in my top ten music cities. Austin, TX, Charleston, WV, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, Asheville, NC, New Orleans, LA, Memphis, TN, Tulsa, OK…
February 29, 2020 @ 10:23 am
Yes!
February 29, 2020 @ 10:33 am
Finally someone who plays a guitar hero controller getting some credit! Take that, washed up geetar players.
February 29, 2020 @ 10:56 am
Awww. I get a lump in my throat when one of the good guys/ladies gets in. I got misty eyed about Gene Watson and now, Rhonda Vincent. She does traditional music proud.
February 29, 2020 @ 11:41 am
I was scrolling through FB last night before bed around 9 pm when the Grand Ole Opry Breaking News screen popped up with the live feed. I did get teary eyed.
March 1, 2020 @ 8:42 pm
Same. I always get emotional when I see a very deserving artist get invited, especially when it’s long overdue (ex: Gene Watson).
February 29, 2020 @ 11:00 am
“Along with the invitation to Gene Watson on January 17th, the Opry is signaling an effort to finally reward many of the artists who’ve long upheld the Opry traditions, but have eluded proper induction well past their time (…) he is signaling an effort to make sure to honor many long-time Grand Ole Opry performers with the first two picks for Opry induction under his watch.”
Maybe this means that Jamey Johnson stands a good chance of finally getting what he has earned as well?
February 29, 2020 @ 11:00 am
Well-deserved. I’ve always thought it was a bit strange that Darren was invited to join before Rhonda.
Greentop is only about an hour from me. A few years ago we were fortunate enough to have the Isaacs perform at a church in our dinky little town due to a connection with a local chiropractor. Rhonda was home visiting her mom at the time and, being friends with the Isaac family, came to the show. After the show I had the somewhat surreal experience of listening to these multiple-award-winning entertainers talk about their respective churches’ Vacation Bible School plans for the coming summer while I was helping clean up.
March 1, 2020 @ 10:22 am
It was when Darren was inducted with Jamie Daily that I first realized Rhonda wasn’t already a member and like you I had to give my head a shake. I just assumed she had been inducted years earlier. I suppose in hindsight I shouldn’t have been surprised given the decisions that organization has made in the last 15-20 years. I’m glad they have finally righted this particular wrong. In other good news my YouTube feed had the trailer for the new documentary about Guy and Susanna Clark and Townes Van Zandt. I’m really looking forward to seeing that.
February 29, 2020 @ 11:01 am
”She is a force of nature on stage”
understatement of understatements .anyone having witnessed a rhonda and the rage show can attest to her total professionalism, her ENERGY , her dedication to the music , to the fans and to her unrivaled talents .
on a personal note , I once had a conversation with rhonda after a show with regards to pitching her some songs . not only was she generous with her time but she was completely open to pitch ideas giving me her mailing address AND personally responding to my submissions by mail . when the Opry gets it right , they get it right . congrats to rhonda .
February 29, 2020 @ 11:08 am
Her full induction will be March 24th!! https://www.opry.com/show/2020-03-24-grand-ole-opry-at-7-pm/
February 29, 2020 @ 11:22 am
Well deserved and good to see Jeannie Seely too. One of the underappreciated legends in country music.
March 10, 2020 @ 4:42 pm
The more I read or hear about her the more amazed I become. Quite a songwriter and singer.
February 29, 2020 @ 12:13 pm
I am happy for you
February 29, 2020 @ 1:01 pm
Congratulations for a once in a blue moon rational choice. Now if we give enough clicks and attention maybe they will take a cue from this pick.
February 29, 2020 @ 1:18 pm
Love her music….I wish both her and Ralph Stanley 2 would make more country music.
February 29, 2020 @ 2:45 pm
This is such a good choice! I’d be happy if Elizabeth Cook could find her way in as well!
February 29, 2020 @ 4:07 pm
This is great. My family and I have seen Rhonda many times at a Bluegrass Fest outside of Tulsa in Claremore OK. Always a great show and always eager to meet her fans. Always sweet and has time for fans. A couple years ago she DIDN’T have time because she had to get back to TN for a photo shoot I think or (maybe a video shoot,I can’t remember) at Charlie Daniels’s ranch.
She actually spent time on stage apologizing for it.
There may be a bunch of crap in Nashville, but Rhonda is a whole lot of awesome.
February 29, 2020 @ 4:32 pm
I’ve seen her twice at Uncle Dave Macon Days in Murfreesboro, TN (south of Nashville). She’s about the only one I would stand around in the Tennessee summer humidity to see. Glad to see the Opry still bringing in some traditionalists to carry on the legacy.
February 29, 2020 @ 5:12 pm
Michael Ray and Carly Pearce will likely get invited soon as well. They play the Opry a lot. I wish the membership qualifications weren’t just based on “The amount of times you play here” – for major label artists it should be based on additional merits too.
February 29, 2020 @ 5:30 pm
Saw her at the Opry in 2003 and have been a fan ever since. Well-deserved recognition!
February 29, 2020 @ 5:32 pm
She hasn’t been a member for the past twenty years?
High time.
February 29, 2020 @ 6:30 pm
Well, there is some justice in the music world after all. Gene and now Rhonda.
March 1, 2020 @ 3:23 pm
The Opry is dangerously close to regaining a bit of credibility. Now if they could just erase all the missteps of the last decade and a half, people might begin to take them seriously.
March 1, 2020 @ 8:49 pm
Another fine selection! Love Rhonda Vincent, both her country and bluegrass material. I have her second album on Giant records called Trouble Free, and it’s a must for lovers of straight ahead neo-traditional country! Still on the hunt for the first Giant album to add to my collection. Anyway, I’m absolutely loving these last two picks for membership! Hopefully this means the Opry will start making more of an effort to recognize more artists who keep the true country sound alive.