If your idea of the holidays includes tight vocal harmonies and an eclectic blend of traditional country, bluegrass, and gospel, served up with a side of humor, the Dailey & Vincent Christmas Tour (12/7) is for you! These Grand Ole Opry members and five-time Grammy Award winners deliver “the best of country, bluegrass and gospel this side of heaven” (USA Today). We went straight to the source and asked Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent about their heartfelt, down-home Christmas Tour and what inspires their musical and holiday traditions.
You performed here at the Hylton Center in 2017. What stands out in your memory as part of that experience?
Dailey: We remember that night vividly! The Hylton Center audience was just incredible—warm, welcoming, and really tuned in to the music. There’s something special about playing at a venue where you can feel every note resonate, not just through the sound system but through the people in the seats.
Vincent: Absolutely. The staff and crew treated us like family, and the acoustics in that room are outstanding. I remember walking off stage that night saying, “Let’s make sure we come back here.” So, this feels a little like coming home again.
Can you share a memorable moment that solidified your musical partnership?
Dailey: There have been a lot over the years, but one of the biggest was early on when we were first putting the band together. We were on stage somewhere in the Midwest—I can’t even remember the town—and everything just clicked. The harmonies locked in, the band was firing on all cylinders, and the crowd was right there with us.
Vincent: Yeah, that moment really confirmed what we already felt—that God had put us together for a reason. We share the same work ethic, faith, and love for traditional music, but also the same drive to make it fresh. That night, it just felt like we’d found our sound, and we never looked back.
How do you approach arranging classic holiday songs to give them your unique Dailey & Vincent touch and Americana flair?
Vincent: We always start by respecting the song. These classics mean a lot to people, so we never want to lose the heart of what makes them special.
Dailey: Then we add that Dailey & Vincent spin—tight harmonies, acoustic instrumentation, and a touch of bluegrass or gospel energy. Sometimes we’ll bring in a bit of swing, or a mountain flavor, or a full orchestral feel if it suits the moment. The goal is always to make it feel like Christmas, but through our lens—heartfelt, hopeful, and real.
What are some fun holiday traditions you each cherish, and how do they influence your music?
Dailey: For me, Christmas has always been about family and faith. Growing up, we’d gather around and sing carols—no microphones, no stage lights, just pure harmony and love. That simplicity shows up in how we arrange songs even now.
Vincent: My family’s the same way—big meals, lots of laughter, and always some music. That sense of joy and togetherness is what we try to capture in our Christmas shows. It’s less about performance and more about celebrating what matters most.
What about your Christmas Tour program do you anticipate will leave the Hylton Center audience filled with holiday cheer?
Dailey: This show is full of heart. You’ll hear classic carols, some of our own songs, and a few surprises along the way. We laugh a lot, sing our hearts out, and try to make everyone in the room feel like part of our family for the night.
Vincent: It’s a mix of reverence and fun—from “Little Town of Bethlehem” to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” By the end, our hope is that folks walk out smiling, maybe humming a tune, and feeling just a little closer to the real spirit of Christmas.
Join us for this special holiday concert on December 7 that will draw from the artists’ No.1 Billboard Bluegrass chart-topping album, Dailey & Vincent: The Sounds of Christmas and feature beloved holiday music with an Americana twist.