We had a chance to speak recently with Darrin Vincent about the next Dailey & Vincent CD, The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent, due from Cracker Barrel on January 9. Mastering is being concluded now, so audio samples should begin appearing soon.
Darrin said that the project is designed to capture the breadth of music and styles they perform live on stage, and the musical traditions they have brought forward from their childhoods.
Vincent, of course, grew up performing with his family band, Sally Mountain Show, alongside big sister Rhonda. Theirs was a traditional bluegrass and Gospel program, with mom (Carolyn) and dad (Johnny) leading the group, and each of their three children joining in as soon as they were old enough to hold an instrument. Rhonda was drafted into the group at age six; Darrin and Brian even younger.
Vincent said that he and Jamie Dailey chose songs for The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent to showcase their interests in both bluegrass and Southern Gospel music. Seven are songs that are brand new or haven’t been cut recently, and two are Dailey & Vincent originals.
“This record sort of works both sides of the street. Five are traditional bluegrass, a few are Southern Gospel, and there are a couple of contemporary Christian tracks. There is also a folk sounding arrangement of Willie Nelson’s Family Bible.
We called it Gospel Side because it covers what we do.”
A look at the full track listing shows a couple of familiar titles amidst the new songs.
- Living in the Kingdom of God
- Eternal Vacation
- Peace That Covers All the Pain
- Cast Aside
- Noah Found Grace
- Family Bible
- The Fourth Man
- Until At Last I’m Home
- Cross Over to the Other Side of Jordan
- Come Back to Me
- Welcome Home
- Daddy Sang Bass
Dailey & Vincent’s touring band is featured on several of the songs, with studio guests and session players filling out the rest of the project. Helping out on vocals are such noted singers as Sonya Isaacs, Sharon White and former Statler Brother, Jimmy Fortune. One track reunites Vincent in the studio with his parents, singing gathered around a single microphone.
Darrin said that while the album utilizes a string section, piano and percussion on selected tracks, they intend to perform the material on their live shows.
He also mentioned that the success of their Statler Brothers tribute album has generated a demand for shows themed around this material, and a first show with Jimmy Fortune have been booked for early February in Cookeville, TN.
“We’ve already sold 600 of 1000 seats by word of mouth. People are dying to see Jimmy sing with a quartet again. We have an overwhelming bunch of folks ask about this, and hope we can do more of these shows together.”
These concerts will feature Fortune with a country band, and the Dailey & Vincent quartet (Jamie Dailey, Darrin Vincent, Jeff Parker and Christian Davis).
When I asked about the possibility of a music video from the new album, Vincent was uncertain.
“Cracker Barrel has never done singles or video – just put CDs in their stores. We would love to have a video if the budget’s there.
I think that Peace will be a really big song – folks will get a great blessing from it. If it was my choice, that would be mine.”
He was also proud to note that they are one of only a very few artists that Cracker Barrel has asked to do a second project, Kenny Rogers being the first.
The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent will be offered exclusively at Cracker Barrel restaurants and from their online store.
