Rhonda Vincent saw one of her biggest dreams fulfilled earlier this year, when she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The bluegrass star, who had been a regular on the hallowed stage for years, was thrilled to become part of the hallowed institution, especially on the heels of her brother, Darrin Vincent, whose Dailey & Vincent bluegrass duo became a member of the Opry in 2017.
“They didn’t tell anyone,” Vincent tells Everything Nash. “They didn’t even tell my family. I walked on stage, and as I was walking on stage to perform, before they invited me, they called my husband. They didn’t even say, ‘Hey, your wife’s going to be invited to be a member.’ They just said, ‘You might want to turn on WSM and listen.’ So he’s like, ‘Okay, something’s up. They called my daughter. They called my mother. She’s at a jam session, playing. She doesn’t know the phone number, and thinks it’s a scam call, so she didn’t answer it. She just kept on playing in this jam session.”
Vincent had always hoped to become a Grand Ole Opry member, but was still stunned when Jeannie Seely extended the invitation.
“I was completely and utterly shocked,” Vincent says. “It was a lifelong dream come true. I am proof that dreams really do come true. And to be asked and invited by my Opry sister, Jeannie Seely, she has become such a dear friend. We talk at least every other day, if not every day. She has become such a mentor and such a dear friend. We’re finding out we are so much alike.”
Dierks Bentley did the honors of officially inducting Vincent into the Grand Ole Opry. Vincent was invited to join in February of 2020, with her induction scheduled for the following March. Because of COVID-19, Vincent’s induction was delayed so she could enjoy the celebration with a live audience..
“I’ll never forget the night that our mutual friend Marty Stuart made me an official member of the Opry and I’m so pleased to get to do the same for you tonight,” Bentley said from the Grand Ole Opry stage. “Rhonda, you are now an official member of the Grand Ole Opry! I know you will carry the Opry banner proudly wherever you go.”
Vincent is back on the road, performing for her fans. Keep track of tour dates at RhondaVincent.com.