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.

Talk about arriving in style…

Having never attended an NFL game in person, Rhonda Vincent has been invited to sing the National Anthem before the Chiefs-Chargers contest on October 25 in Kansas City. Not a bad way to see your first game!

Rhonda has sung the anthem before at several NASCAR races, and opens the Sally Mountain Festival each year with the song, so she won’t need a lot of preparation.

“I also sang it at special games when my daughters played sports in high school, and most recently at Beep Ball, (which is baseball played by visually impaired athletes), when we were performing in Phenix City, AL on 8/29/09.

It’s always an honor to sing the song. The most important thing about the anthem is being sure you start it in the right key, which is tricky, since it’s usually without instruments.  I have to pick a key just by singing it to myself before I walk to the microphone.”