During her appearance at the Tivoli Theatre, Rhonda will debut her new album Taken. Fans will get to hear favorites including "You Can't Take It With You When You Go," "If Heartaches Had Wings," and "I've Forgotten You" as well as new music from her 25th album that she released on her own album. From evocative ballads to up-tempo barnstormers, Taken brings together the best of the classic and modern, and is a vivid testament to Rhonda's superior status as a bandleader, vocalist, and instrumentalist. Rhonda worked with longtime backing band The Rage on Taken as well as several special guests including Dolly Parton, Richard Marx, and Little Roy Lewis.
"Every person in my band rose to a new level of playing on this project," said Rhonda. "Taken is a really special combination of original songs joined in tandem with a few country classics. I hope that people will be as moved and excited by the music as I was making it."
Rhonda has one many awards on her own and has worked with some of country music's biggest names including Keith Urban, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, George Jones & Merle Haggard. Most recently she performed on 3 cuts on Alan Jackson's latest album Freight Train. Some of her honors include two Grammy Award wins, one for Best Country Album in 2004 for Livin' Lovin' Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers in which she had the song "Cash on the Barrelhead" that she performed with Joe Nichols; five Grammy nominations; a coveted Entertainer of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and a staggering seven consecutive IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year Awards.
Ronda and the Rage perform at 7 pm on Thursday at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland, Downers Grove. For show and ticket information, log onto www.bluegrasschicago.com or call 816.520.7953.
For more information on Rhonda Vincent you can go to www.rhondavincent.com.
ABOUT THE RAGE
Hunter Berry: Plays the fiddle
In 2002 the teenage fiddler joined Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, one of the most celebrated bluegrass bands in the country. He's won the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America honors for Fiddle Performer of the Year four consecutive years, and he has twice been nominated International Bluegrass Music Association's Fiddle Player of the Year. Not only is Hunter a masterful old-time bluegrass fiddler, he is a student of the music, its history, and its roots, Rhonda says. He is doing a remarkable job of carrying on a most basic and important part of our culture-the old-time fiddle tunes and traditional songs which were the soul of early country and bluegrass music.
Aaron McDaris: Plays the banjo
McDaris had been performing as a member of The Grascals to join up with Rhonda. [He has] been [a] bluegrass performer since [he was] in [his] teens and [brings] many years of professional experience to the band.
Ben Helson: Plays guitar
Ben broke into the professional bluegrass world in July of 2007 by joining The Larry Stephenson band. Soon after, he was hired on as a member of the highly esteemed Kentucky Thunder, led by 13-time Grammy award winner Ricky Skaggs. After touring the world, making multiple network television appearances, and performing countless times on the Grand Ole Opry, Ben has moved on once again, this time to contribute to the unique and renowned sound of The Rage. Ben is a graduate of Bethel College in McKenzie, TN with a degree in Music Business.
Mickey Harris: Does vocals and plays the bass
Mickey joined Rhonda Vincent and The Rage in August 2002 playing Bass and singing harmony. He is also featured on lead vocals as well during the shows. His solid Bass playing and harmony singing are a welcome addition to the Rage, Rhonda says.
Rhonda Vincent and The Rage
7 pm on Thursday
Tivoli Theatre
5021 Highland, Downers Grove
816.520.7953
www.bluegrasschicago.com
