Vincent siblings make bluegrass chart history

By Ken Tucker

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Family is important to bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent and her younger brother Darrin, who is one half of new bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent.

The pair grew up performing in their family's Sally Mountain Band. "He was singing at 1 year old; most kids aren't talking at 1," Rhonda says of Darrin.

It's therefore fitting that Rhonda's "Good Thing Going" holds the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Albums tally and Dailey & Vincent's self-titled set debuted at No. 2 earlier in February.

It marks the first time in the history of Billboard's bluegrass and country charts that albums from siblings have held the two top spots. Rhonda's album has spent five weeks atop the chart, and Darrin and partner Jamie Dailey are spending their second week at No. 2.

That both albums are on Rounder, co-produced by Darrin and recorded in Rhonda's Nashville studio is icing on the cake.

Being in the spotlight is a new sensation for Darrin, who has spent a lifetime in supporting roles, including 10 years with Ricky Skaggs' Kentucky Thunder band. "It's new for me, but I'm learning and I'm enjoying it," he says.

The transition was easier for Dailey, who was lead singer with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver for nine years.

The two men had been mulling the idea of joining forces for a while when they collaborated on "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" for a Christmas sampler. Darrin says, "When I first heard our voices blend, I said, 'There's something special about that. We've got to pursue this."'