By Ken Tucker 32 minutes ago

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Family is important to bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent and her younger brother Darrin, who is one half of new bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent.

The pair grew up performing in their family's Sally Mountain Band. "He was singing at 1 year old; most kids aren't talking at 1," Rhonda says of Darrin.

It's therefore fitting that Rhonda's "Good Thing Going" holds the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Albums tally and Dailey & Vincent's self-titled set debuted at No. 2 earlier in February.

It marks the first time in the history of Billboard's bluegrass and country charts that albums from siblings have held the two top spots. Rhonda's album has spent five weeks atop the chart, and Darrin and partner Jamie Dailey are spending their second week at No. 2.

That both albums are on Rounder, co-produced by Darrin and recorded in Rhonda's Nashville studio is icing on the cake.

Being in the spotlight is a new sensation for Darrin, who has spent a lifetime in supporting roles, including 10 years with Ricky Skaggs' Kentucky Thunder band. "It's new for me, but I'm learning and I'm enjoying it," he says.

The transition was easier for Dailey, who was lead singer with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver for nine years.

The two men had been mulling the idea of joining forces for a while when they collaborated on "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" for a Christmas sampler. Darrin says, "When I first heard our voices blend, I said, 'There's something special about that. We've got to pursue this."'

The decline of such duos as the Osborne Brothers and Jim & Jesse further reinforced their resolve. "We bring something to the industry that's not there anymore," Vincent says. "There's just no duos anymore."

Of her own success, which includes top-selling albums, seven straight International Bluegrass Music Assn. female vocalist awards and incessant touring, Rhonda credits a work effort instilled by her father. "It was on-the-job training," she says of the Sally Mountain Band. "There was a no-tolerance policy. When it was time to work, it was time to work."

Her new set, which includes a guest turn by Keith Urban, is her most personal yet. "I have never (before) written five songs to include on an album," she says. "I have to be inspired to write a song, and there's been no shortage of inspiration lately." The title cut is a nod to her 24-year marriage to Herb Sandker.

Reuters/Billboard