All American Bluegrass Girl (Rounder, 2006)

Rhonda Vincent long ago established herself as one of the top two or three female performers in bluegrass, and given another chance on the country charts, she'd give them a run, too.

She's won every bluegrass award in reach - multiple times - and she's an electrifying live perfomer.

So, what's left for a multi-talented singer and instrumentalist to do with a new album? Her latest finds Vincent going full throttle vocally and instrumentally across a spectrum of tunes. There are guest appearances by several legends - Dolly Parton and Bobby Osborne among them.

Yet, now she reveals her latest passion - songwriting. Of the 12 cuts, Vincent contributes 3 songs - the peppy autobiographical title track, a fiery instrumental and "God Bless the Soldier," which, while it's a bit of an over-the-top flag-waver, is nonetheless a big step for an artist who could remain content recording the best material other writers can offer.

Though none of her songs are a stretch lyrically or musically, Vincent can confidently add the moniker "songwriter" next to singer and multi-instrumentalist.