Next came Rhonda Vincent & the Rage.  I knew Rhonda had won 2000 IBMA the female vocalist of the year award, and had the good fortune to hear her on Garrison Keilor's "Prairie Home Companion" radio show. She was quite charming on the show and sounded great.  Can I just say the radio sample in no way prepared me for the superb vocals of Ms. Vincent.  I just kept thinking 'wow, she's like another Allison Krauss'!  Of course we had an instant fondness for her group which features local Gettysburg banjo player Tim Adams a two-time IBMA Banjo Player of the Year winner in his own right.  The other band members were equally terrific and her set was on fire. Couldn't believe I found myself wishing she'd play a few more, when deep down in side I was soooo anxious to hear Del McCoury.  Again, I can honestly say Rhonda Vincent knoncked the socks of Central Pennsylvania and has acquired a lot of new fans.  Can't wait for her return this May at the Gettysburg Camporee.  Note to locals: according to Rhonda's website, www.rhondavincent.com, she will also be playing in Hanover in November at the Eichelberger Theater - don't miss her!

Then finally, the main event! At long last, Del McCoury comes home to play in his hometown York, PA.  Del was born in Thomasville, and raised his own family on a farm he bought in Glen Rock (more specifically Glenville for you real Yorkers) before moving to Nashville about 10 years ago...  Those who know and love Bluegrass knew Del from way back when... his playing days at festivals in Southern York County etc.  Those who are new to bluegrass know the Del McCoury Band (DMB) has blossomed into one of the greatest bluegrass bands in existence today!  Fostered by switching record labels and joining up with Ricky Skaggs, DMB swept the IBMA award ceremony this year .  Right there on our very own stage we were witnessing first hand, the 2000 IBMA entertainers of the year!  Simply awesome! 

I somewhat expected the polished Nashville superstar routine... a sort of 'hey look how far we've come since we left this town and got famous performance.  But in fact there was none of that.  Oh sure, this band is polished and precise and perfect!  But no signs of ego or arrogance were evident.  Only the humble gentlemen doing what they love to do...  The sort of old-fashioned respectful behavior of traditional bluegrass musicans, but coming from these younger men.  And the precision of the music, the overwhelming blend of voices and instruments was beyond my expectations. 

Not a huge fan of the high lonesome vocals myself, but when you hear it done right, you just have to bow in deference to the skill of this master.  Del McCoury makes York proud.  Equally appealing is the fact that the Del McCoury band features two of Del's sons Ronnie on Mandolin, and Robbie on banjo.  Both are equally high-caliber entertainers at their respective instruments.  Not to be overlooked are Jason Carter on fiddle and Mike Bub on bass.  You gotta love a bass player who wears a Yuengling t-shirt to rehearsal! Yep, he's one of us!

Regards- Patti Stirk
Patti Stirk <patti@starinc.com>
York, PA USA - Sunday, March 4, 2001 at 20:01 (EST)

Hank Janny WGTY radio host