Dailey & Vincent Win Big at Bluegrass Awards

Bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent congratulate the Statler Brothers on their induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Pictured (left to right): Don Reid, Darrin Vincent, Jimmy Fortune, Jamie Dailey, Phil Balsley, Harold Reid. Photo credit: Karen Byrd.

Oct. 3, 2008 — With 10 nominations going into the evening, Dailey & Vincent seemed almost assured of going home with something from Thursday’s International Bluegrass Music Awards, but their victories at the Ryman Auditorium were particularly stunning, not only for their number, but also for their range.

Among their seven honors were both Entertainer of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year. Never in history had an act won the International Bluegrass Music Association’s top award and its newcomer trophy in the same evening. The duo, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, managed to pull off the feat after releasing its self-titled debut album in January.

"To take that leap of faith and get out and do somethin' you’re not comfortable with, it’s been really exciting and it’s been a wonderful nine months," Darin said.

Both had won IBMA honors before during their apprenticeships in other bands. Jamie spent nine years as a member of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, while Darrin racked up 11 years of tenure with Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder.

"It’s been really exciting for us being out front to do what we wanna do," Jamie said animatedly. "Not that we didn’t like doin’ what we did before — we just enjoy doin’ what we’re doin’."

Dailey & Vincent took home Vocal Group, Album and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year, the latter for "By The Mark," which they performed during the awards. Jamie copped Male Vocalist of the Year, and Darrin joined a gaggle of winners for the Recorded Event of the Year, Everett Lilly & Everybody And Their Brother. Among the scads of guests whose names were part of that winning ticket were Marty Stuart, David Ball, Rhonda Vincent, the late Billy Walker, Dickey Lee, Freddy Weller, and Rob and Ronnie McCoury.

Michael Cleveland was a double-winner during the night, tabbed Fiddle Player of the Year while his band, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, scored Instrumental Group of the Year. Dale Ann Bradley claimed Female Vocalist, Blue Highway’s recording of "Through The Window Of A Train" earned Song of the Year, and Andy Hall’s Sound Of The Slide Guitar collected Instrumental Album.

Musician honors went to banjo player Kristin Scott Benson; guitarist Josh Williams; Dobro player Rob Ickes, of the Del McCoury Band; and two members of Alison Krauss + Union Station: bass player Barry Bales and mandolinist Adam Steffey.

Del McCoury, whose band has snagged the Entertainer trophy nine times, hosted the proceedings for the first time. Del was completely in agreement with Dailey & Vincent’s accolades.

"They’re that good," he laughed. "They’ve only been in business for a little while, but they’re great singers, and they’re gonna do great. They are."