Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Rhonda Vincent: February 2007

Gene Watson's peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' - and rightly so!

All of Gene Watson's Peers who were contacted during 2007 were most gracious with their time and words. It is here, within this special part of the Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Rhonda Vincent, which she submitted to this site on Tuesday 20 February 2007.

Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Rhonda Vincent who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.

Rhonda Vincent
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 20 February 2007.

'Gene Watson is one of my favourite country music singers. I love the uniqueness of his voice and the way he delivers a song.

When you hear Gene Watson, you hear country music at its best!'

Thank you, Rhonda Vincent, for your support of Gene Watson.

About Rhonda Vincent...

Rhonda Vincent was born on Friday 13 July 1962 in Kirksville, Missouri and found herself fortunate enough to be born into a musical family.

Rhonda's Grandpa Bill and her parents, John and Carolyn, along with an aunt and uncle and some cousins, were performing as the Sally Mountain Show.  Rhonda joined the group, in 1965, when she was three years old.

In 1967, Rhonda Vincent made her recording debut; the song 'How Far Is Heaven' was included on the 'Boyd Halford and the Sally Mountain Singers' album, of which only a hundred copies were pressed.

In 1971, Rhonda Vincent recorded her first single, 'Muleskinner Blues', which was coupled with 'Satisfied Mind'; the recording made such an impact that it was awarded the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music Award for 'Single of the Year' in 1974.

Between 1974 and 1985, Rhonda Vincent recorded eight albums with The Sally Mountain Show on their own Stardust Records label.

It was around 1980 when Rhonda Vincent met Herb Sandker, a singer with a dance band, who persuaded her to join the outfit, playing fiddle.  Herb and Rhonda were married on (Christmas Eve) Saturday 24 December 1983.

Following an appearance on the TNN series 'You Can be A Star' in 1985, which was hosted by Jim Ed Brown, Rhonda Vincent was hired to play in Jim Ed's touring band, with whom she remained a member between April 1985 and October 1985.

Rhonda Vincent then decided to leave Nashville and returned to Missouri, where she re-joined The Sally Mountain Show; she signed a recording contract with Rebel Records in 1986 and saw the release of her debut album, 'New Dreams And Sunshine' (Rebel Records, 1989).

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Rhonda Vincent saw the release of a further three highly acclaimed albums on Rebel Records; 'A Dream Come True' (Rebel Records, 1990), 'Bound For Glory Land' (Rebel Records, 1990) and 'Timeless And True Love' (Rebel Records, 1991).

In the mid-1990s, Rhonda Vincent signed to Giant Records in Nashville, where she hoped to achieve crossover success in the country music market. She saw the release of two critically acclaimed albums; 'Written In The Stars' (Giant Records, 1993) and 'Trouble Free' (Giant Records, 1996).  Both albums were critical successes, but failed commercially.

'Written In The Stars' (Giant Records, 1993) is a particularly fine release and includes 'I'm Not Over You', which was co-written by Melba Montgomery and Carl Jackson.

'Trouble Free' (Giant Records, 1996) is also a particularly fine release and includes 'An Old Memory (Found Its Way Back Home)', which was written by Jerry Salley and Melba Montgomery, along with 'It Ain't Nothin' New' (written by Larry Cordle, Betty Key and Larry Shell), the latter a duet with Randy Travis.

Rhonda Vincent then chose Rounder Records as her new recording home and, between 2001 and 2006, saw the release of a series of critically acclaimed traditional bluegrass albums; 'Back Home Again' (Rounder Records, 2000), 'The Storm Still Rages' (Rounder Records, 2001), 'One Step Ahead' (Rounder Records, 2003), 'Ragin' Live' (Rounder Records, 2005), 'Beautiful Star' (Rounder Records, 2006) and 'All American Bluegrass Girl' (Rounder Records, 2006).

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awarded Rhonda Vincent with its 'Female Vocalist Award' in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003. Rhonda also captured the IBMA's 'Entertainer Of The Year' Award in 2001.

Rhonda Vincent provided harmony vocals on Dolly Parton's 'Hungry Again' (Blue Eye Records, 1998).

Rhonda Vincent provided a rousing rendition of Dwight Yoakam's 'I Sang Dixie'; the track was included on 'Songs Of Dwight Yoakam: Will Sing For Food' (Mercury/Little Dog Records, 1998).

Rhonda Vincent provided harmony vocals on Dolly Parton's 'The Grass Is Blue' (Sugar Hill Records, 1999); Rhonda Vincent recorded Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' and included the track on 'Back Home Again' (Rounder Records, 2000).

Rhonda Vincent provided harmony vocals on Dolly Parton's 'Little Sparrow' (Sugar Hill Records, 2001).

Rhonda Vincent performed 'We're Gonna Hold On', which was a duet with Daryle Singletary; the track was included on Daryle Singletary's 'Straight From The Heart' (Shanachie Records, 2006).

Rhonda Vincent was a duet partner on the Buck Owens' classic 'Together Again', which was included on Gene Watson's 'In a Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007), an album officially released on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

Rhonda Vincent recorded a duet ('Don't Let Your Wounded Heart Come Between Us') on Randy Kohrs' 'Old Photographs' (Rural Rhythm Records, 2007).

Rhonda Vincent was also Gene Watson's duet partner on 'Staying Together', which was included on Gene Watson's 'A Taste of the Truth' (Shanachie Records, 2009), an album officially released on Wednesday 26 August 2009.

Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Friday 12 September 2008

On Monday 28 February 2011, Upper Management Music label president, Herb Sandker welcomed Gene Watson to the roster.

The signing ceremony took place during the first recording session for Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent's duets album, 'Your Money and My Good Looks' (Upper Mangement Music, 2011) at Ronnie's Place on Music Row in Nashville.

'Your Money and My Good Looks' (Upper Management Music, 2011) was officially released, by Upper Management Music, on Tuesday 7 June 2011, to wide critical acclaim.

Visit Rhonda Vincent's Official Site