Want to tour with Rhonda Vincent?

Well she isn’t hiring, but her two talented daughters are. Tensel and Sally Sandker are both studying in the bluegrass music program at East Tennesse State University, and perform as Next Best Thing.

Tensel plays bass, Sally mandolin/guitar, and as you might expect, both of them sing. They have another talented young lady, Haley Stiltner, on banjo and are looking for one more to complete the group.

Rhonda posted this on her Facebook profile this morning:

“If you’re a guitar/mandolin picker, who sings beautiful baritone…..my girls are auditioning musicians. Give them a call 615-390-4610. They’re in search of the perfect person to join NEXT BEST THING. They’ll be working lots of shows with us next year. And, they’re going in the studio very soon.”

You can hear a couple of songs from Next Best Thing on their MySpace page.

Pinecastle has announced February 2010 as the release date for the next Josh Williams album, Down Home, but Josh says that he will have copies for sale from his web site by Thanksgiving.

This will be the third solo CD for this young artist, who at 29 has already logged lengthy stints with Special Consensus and Rhonda Vincent. His debut album, Now That You’re Gone, was released in 2001, featuring contributions from a who’s who of bluegrass superpickers, as did his 2004 follow-up, Lonesome Highway.

On Down Home, Josh pays tribute to the artists who inspired him, and the acts who gave him a start in the business. He reunites most of the personnel from Special C during his tenure (Greg Cahill and Tim Dishman), and has his guitar idol Tony Rice with him for a version of Blue Railroad Train. Tracking for this project started while Josh was still a member of The Rage, and Rhonda joins on a couple of songs along with fellow then-Ragers Kenny Ingram and Mickey Harris.

Also helping out are Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, Stewart Duncan, Jason Carter, Carl Jackson, Randy Kohrs, Tina Adair, and Aaron McDaris.

We heard Josh perform a couple of tracks from the CD during his IBMA showcase. His version of Jimmy Martin’s The Last Song was brilliant, and I am eager to hear the recorded version when the album hits. There is an inescapable joy in Williams’ music, and it is infectious, whether live or on disc.

Greg Cahill rivals Doyle Lawson in the bluegrass talent development department. Over the nearly 35 years he has managed Special Consensus, he has seen a number of young artists develop into fine musicians, and he is a big Josh Williams backer.

“I cannot speak highly enough about the musical accomplishments of Josh Williams, my good friend and consummate musician. He came to The Special Consensus right out of high school (actually while in his last few months of school) and immediately played mandolin and sang like a seasoned professional. Over the years since that time, he has grown to become a major voice in the world of bluegrass music and an award-winning guitar player as well. He is a great writer, singer and instrumentalist and it is a true joy to see him begin to receive the recognition his extraordinary talent deserves. Go Josh!!!”

Rhonda Vincent also spoke highly of Williams…

“Josh is a very talented guy. So glad to hear his CD is finally coming out.”

Pre-order details for Down Home can be found on the official Josh Williams web site.

Here’s the music video for Staying Together, a duet between Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent. It’s a delightful country song – in the old time style.

Staying Together is one of the tracks on Gene’s latest CD, A Taste Of The Truth, released in August on Schanachie Records.

Mountain Heart weren’t the only bluegrass stars to be featured at major sporting events yesterday. Rhonda Vincent had also been invited to sing the National Anthem prior to the kickoff of Sunday’s NFL contest between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Deigo Chargers.

She not only got to sing, but also enjoyed the game with her husband Herb Sandker from the private box of Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, Jr. Unfortunately, Rhonda failed to provide a good luck charm, and the Chiefs went down 37-7.

Rhonda sent along a few photos of her big day in KC, the first time she’s been able to attend an NFL game.

UPDATED 1:30 p.m. – Rhonda just sent along this video from the game. You can’t see much, but you can hear her excellent rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.