Helping Hands concert nears sellout
Daily and Vincent voice pleasure at being part of the show

Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent [Click to enlarge]

The Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation's Tuesday, Aug. 4, concert, featuring many of the today's top gospel and bluegrass performers, is nearing a sellout. Ticket sales for the event have been outstanding, with just over 300 seats remaining for the show, which will be taking place in the air-conditioned comfort of the new RHS gymnasium.

What makes the concert truly stand out is the cause it supports: the RHS Helping Hands Foundation. The organization, founded by Rector natives Bill Carter and Major Gen. George Barker (U.S. Army, ret.), exists to offer assistance to Rector youths who face tough economic conditions.

Bluegrass-inspired gospel performers Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, who will be appearing at the star-studded event along with fellow artists Guy Penrod, Russ Taff, The Isaacs and Kevin Williams, say it is the goal of the Helping Hands Foundation which makes the upcoming Rector show truly remarkable.

"We're excited to be able to help out a cause like Helping Hands," Dailey said. "It's a great cause with a wonderful purpose."

His partner on stage echoed the sentiment.

"We have a special spot in our hearts for kids," Vincent said. "When we heard about this concert and what it was for, we knew right away we wanted to be a part of it."

The duo is no strangers to helping others. They have been a part of fundraisers for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.

"We have a lot of compassion for children," Vincent said.

In fact, the group's upcoming album, an a cappella release entitled "Singing from the Heart," will generate proceeds for the Tennessee Bible College. The funds will help cover the expenses for students who wish to study the Bible.

"We've been given so much by the Lord," Dailey said. "We've both been blessed with so much. We just try to give back."

The duo first met Carter around 10 years ago through his work as a producer for the Gaithers. However, the last year and a half has seen the formation of a close friendship between Dailey, Vincent and Carter.

"He is a wonderful man with one of the best, most caring hearts," Dailey said. "We love Bill Carter for who he is and all the wonderful things he does for others."

Dailey and Vincent are more than just caring individuals; they're also highly talented performers. Both are talented vocalists and musicians, playing guitar and bass while sharing lead and harmony vocals. Vincent often plays the mandolin during their performances.

The duo earned an almost unheard of seven awards at the 2008 International Bluegrass Music Awards Show in just their second year together. They took home awards for Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Album of the Year, Emerging Artist of the Year, Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year.

The duo has more than 20 years of experience in bluegrass combined, having worked with such legends as Doyle Lawson and Ricky Skaggs. Dailey and Vincent, who are long-time friends, were asked to perform on a Koch Records holiday album, "Christmas Grass 2004 Vol. 2" in 2003. They performed the beloved Christmas song "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem," using only a guitar and mandolin along with their voices. Their take on the song was so popular, it quickly rose to a number one ranking on the Prime Cuts of Bluegrass. The two decided to perform together more often, which led to the formation of Dailey and Vincent. They released their first album, "Dailey and Vincent," in early 2008. Their second album, "Brothers from Different Mothers," was released earlier this year to much fanfare and critical acclaim.