Blending soul, intensity, and tenderness, Rhonda Vincent's unique brand of bluegrass is rich in tradition while remaining unmistakeably modern. Among the most beloved figures in today's bluegrass scene, Vincent has earned an unprecedented seven consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, is a top concert and festival draw, and, with her road band The Rage supporting her, is one of the most dynamic and high-energy performers in any genre of music. Encompassing heartfelt ballads and hard-driving bluegrass, along with dashes of swing and country, Good Thing Going is her most varied, personal, and accomplished album to date. It is also her most joyously uplifting, from the celebratory, autobiographical title track to the touchingly heartfelt "I Give All My Love To You." Special guests include Keith Urban, Jesse McReynolds, Russell Moore, Bryan Sutton, Becky Isaacs-Bowman, Stuart Duncan, Kathy Chiavola, Andy Hall, and more!
Despite her seven consecutive IBMA "Female Vocalist of the Year" trophies, Rhonda Vincent continues to strive for growth. Good Thing Going, co-produced with her brother Darrin Vincent (of Dailey and Vincent) and features her crack band, the Rage, and the singer/mandolinist offers five original or co-written songs. Of those, the earnest wedding ballad "I Give All My Love to You" (rendered as a duet with Russell Moore of IIIrd Tyme Out) is bound to garner the most attention. But more interesting is "I'm Leavin'," a superficially sassy declaration of romantic discontent with a whistle-blowing fiddle underscoring Vincent's threatened departure. She deftly varies her program with a jazzy swing number ("World's Biggest Fool"), on which her band gets to solo with snappy instrumental breaks, and an especially hymn-like rendition of the traditional lament "The Water is Wide," featuring winsome vocals from country-pop darling Keith Urban, whose presence should garner her at least a cursory listen from beyond her bluegrass brethren. Still, Vincent knows where her Martha White biscuits are buttered, and her core audience will undoubtedly enjoy cover nods to both bluegrass kings Jim and Jesse ("Just One of a Kind") and the late Jimmy Martin ("Hit Parade of Love"), as well as her own fan salute, "Bluegrass Saturday Night." In recounting life on the road in this hard-charging bit of autobiography, Vincent takes her place alongside Flatt & Scruggs and all the resilient bluegrass greats who came before her. --Alanna Nash
