Nashville is a town where dreams go to die. Week after week, buses disgorge aspiring superstars with three things in common. They’re young, they’re talented, and they’ll never have a career in music.
But sometimes, talented youngsters do find their way in Music City, as we see in the rapid rise of Seth Taylor, who was announced yesterday as the newest member of Dailey & Vincent. Just 20 years of age, Seth had won both the guitar and banjo championships at MerleFest before he was old enough to drive. He was touring with Pine Mountain Railroad at 15, and was a founding member of Monroeville while still in high school.
Two years ago he was recruited to play guitar with Mountain Heart, and began doing some shows last year with Dailey & Vincent as his schedule allowed. Yesterday, they made it official with the following statement.
“We are extremely pleased to announce that Seth Taylor is now a full time member of Dailey & Vincent. He is one of the finest young musicians we have seen in a while and we are excited to have him on board.
Many of you have met Seth through the years but for those of you who haven’t you’re in for a treat. Seth is a good hearted and wonderful person. So please join us and all the guys in the band and welcome Seth into our D&V family.
Mr. Taylor, full throttle sir! Salute!”
We caught up with Jamie Dailey last night, and he was effusive in his praise of young Mr. Taylor.
“We are very excited. Seth has been playing with us for over a year now, on and off. We decided to bring him in because of his playing, and his energy, on top of his creativeness. He also fattens the sound up and gives us way more versatility as we try to grow musically.”
Dailey, who has been the band’s sole guitarist while also handling lead and harmony vocals, is glad for some help.
“Seth is being added as a second guitarist and I am totally happy about it! It takes a lot of pressure off me so that I can concentrate on singing and entertaining.”
The band was already an embarrassment of riches where picking is concerned. B.J. Cherryholmes is on fiddle, Jessie Baker on banjo and Jeff Parker on mandolin. Adding an aggressive lead guitarist provides quite an arsenal in support of the band primary focus, which is vocal harmony and a energetic stage show.
Taylor is in the studio this week, starting on a debut solo project, and was unable to share his own excitement about officially joining such a prominent band.
Dailey was coy about Dailey & Vincent recording plans.
“Working on some cool plans as we speak. We are creating and putting together some interesting ideas. We shall see if they pan out.
I have been co-writing a lot this year. I have written 5 new songs to date this year and I have writing appointments all the way into May.
I do believe Darrin is planning on writing some this year as well.”
You can find all the the Dailey & Vincent tour dates online, including a trip to Germany and Switzerland in March, and a week-long Alaskan cruise in July.
UPDATE 2/12/14 – We were able to catch up with Seth last night.
“I’m really excited to be on board with Dailey and Vincent! They’re top notch vocally and instrumentally, so this should be a fun ride. I’ve had a blast touring with Mountain Heart for the last two years, but I’m very happy with my new gig.
Also, I’ve been writing a lot with Jim VanCleve, so my album is going produced by him and it will have a mix of original instrumentals as well as some stuff I just like to play. I’m gonna have a bunch of special guests that are gonna be really cool. We started tracking today! Can’t wait to share this music!!”
