9/28/2007 Stephen L. Betts Rounder Records has signed new duo Dailey & Vincent, consisting of a couple of bluegrass veterans: Jamie Dailey, former lead singer and guitarist for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; and Darrin Vincent, who most recently was guitar and mandolin player and harmony vocalist with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Dailey & Vincent’s self-titled debut, which the pair produced, will feature high-energy traditional bluegrass and gospel songs. It’s due in stores in January 2008. “This is an extremely exciting time for Darrin and me, as we set off on a new adventure that marks the next chapter in our lives,” says Jamie. “We’re grateful for Rounder’s vision, support and dedication.” Dailey & Vincent will be among the performers at next week’s IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Fan Fest. And speaking of IBMA, die-hard bluegrass fan, Angie Campbell of Westfield, Illinois, has won this year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass Sweepstakes. Fans entered the contest through participating artists’ Web sites in the hope of winning the grand prize -- a trip for two to the IBMA Awards show and Fan Fest, including two VIP tickets to the awards show, two three-day tickets to Fan Fest, three nights’ hotel accommodations, IBMA merchandise, and a travel stipend! Angie visited The Grascals’ Web site and entered repeatedly, hoping to win the trip for her son, Alex, an 11-year-old fiddle player who is a devoted Grascals fan. When she was notified that she had won, she sent an email to the band saying, “It will be a priceless trip for a young boy who dreams of being a fiddler. I truly think it will change his life, being surrounded by people who love the music he loves. He will be able to realize how he does have the ability to do anything if he sets his mind to it.” In addition, as incentive for artists to advertise the contest and allow fans to enter through their Web sites, the IBMA offers the same grand-prize package to the artist whose Web site brings the winning entry. The Grascals donated their prize package of tickets and hotel accommodations to the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro to be auctioned to raise funds for the museum, and it brought in $ 1,000. The band also donated the $500 travel stipend to the Ernie Thacker Trust Fund, set up to cover Thacker’s medical bills as he recovers from a serious automobile accident in April 2006. The Grascals will perform at the 18th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards show on Oct, 4, where they’re nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year. They’ll also perform at Fan Fest on Friday (10/5). CountryHound.com will be on hand throughout the week to capture all the IBMA World of Bluegrass highlights!
