When Rhonda Vincent introduced the new members of her band earlier this week, a good many bluegrass fans recognized the name of her new banjo player, Aaron McDaris, from his time with The Grascals.

Fewer, perhaps, knew the name of her new guitarist, Ben Helson. Though he had been a member of Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder for nearly a year, his role in that band kept him in the background, and many Vincent fans are just learning about this talented young man.

Fortunately, The McKenzie Banner newspaper in Carroll County, TN has a lengthy feature on Ben which was published in 2007. Interestingly, this article discusses how Ben had auditioned for the Rage in November ‘07, but failed to win the job.

It seems that good things do come to those who wait, as evidenced by this excerpt from the article, which focuses in large part on Helson’s time as a member of Renaissance, a student musical group at Bethel College.

"Performing with Rhonda has been my dream ever since I started playing bluegrass," he says. "Singing harmony is something I really like doing and it’s great singing harmony with her because she’s perfect; she sings very well."

The lanky, 21-year-old Kentucky boy had already proved a standout at Renaissance shows across the country. That’s what Renaissance does: it takes talented young people from diverse regions of the country and molds them into a dynamic musical force that energizes audiences with expertly orchestrated performances. Individually, its members work hard to achieve common goals, mixing fun and friendship with a hands-on musical education directed by some of the best in the business. That, plus the experience they get performing before audiences that range from a few members to thousands, prepares them for opportunities otherwise beyond reach.

Read the full piece online.

As has been widely speculated this past few weeks, Rhonda Vincent has confirmed that Aaron McDaris is her new banjo player, and that Ben Helson is taking the guitar spot. Both take the job effective today (11/24).

McDaris had been performing as a member of The Grascals and Helson leaves Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder to join up with Rhonda. Both young men have been bluegrass performers since they were in their teens and bring many years of professional experience to the band.

The Vincent announcement indicates that this latest version of The Rage has already been at work with her in the studio, and that her next project will for the first time be recorded wholly by her touring band, with no special guests.

They join other current members Mickey Harris on bass, Hunter Berry on fiddle and, of course, Rhonda Vincent on mandolin and lead vocals.

Rhonda and her new team will spend more time in the studio this next few weeks, before hitting the road again in January ‘09.