When award-winning duo Dailey & Vincent filmed their newest video just over six weeks ago, they didn’t realize just how timely it would be. 
Over the past two months, the United States has been slammed by hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico,  wreaking havoc for people who call those places home. Those disasters were followed by a gunman in a Las Vegas hotel reigning terror on thousands attending a country music concert just a few hundred feet below his room.
“It’s easy to look at these events and lose hope,” said Jamie Dailey, who co-wrote the song with fellow Grand Ole Opry Stars Bill Anderson and Jimmy Fortune of The Statler Brothers. “But in the midst of the horror, strangers began reaching out to one another to help.  In areas hit hard by hurricanes, volunteers came in droves to help the cleanup and the rebuilding of lives. 
“In Las Vegas, during the shooting, there are countless stories of strangers risking their own lives to save others.  Some people stood in line for three to four hours to donate blood. These people did this with no thought except helping one another. They didn’t even expect a thank you. These are our everyday angels.  They are unsung heroes.”
“The cool thing is that you don’t have to wait for a big disaster for these heroes to show up,” echoed Darrin Vincent.  “I live in a small community in Tennessee, and I see it all the time.  People who are suffering one way or the other are raised up by their neighbors who give their time and energy and sometimes money, just to help.  It’s really remarkable how the smallest thing can mean so very much to someone in need. We all have the chance to be one of these heroes.”
Vincent thought of his hometown when it came to locations to film.
“My first thought was of all my friends in DeKalb County like Charlie Parker, Mark Collins, Patrick Ray and others who serve on a daily basis and how cool that would be,” said Vincent. “I wanted Aaron Tippin, a brother and friend, to be in it and he was so supportive to be there. Plus all the firefighters, local police and veterans made up all the ingredients for it to come together.”
“Of course Karen (Carpenter) at Sundance Restaurant and the whole city was good to us,” Vincent said. “We had one veteran who was 93 years old and the image of the Fallen Soldier monument was very powerful.”
Vincent’s wife Julie is the principal of Smithville Elementary School, a supporter of veterans as well with their annual event where the students of SES sing to local veterans.
Other local residents who make an appearance include Edward and Edsel Frazier, Jerry Lee Cantrell, Tommy Webb, Smithville Fire Lieutenant John Poss, Smithville Police Officer Brandon Donnell, THP Sergeant Charlie and Rhonda Caplinger, Kenny Bly, Donald Gilbert, Paul Robinson, Alan Stengel, Donnie and Kathy Kelly, Valeshia Pedigo, members of Vincent’s family.
“I really appreciate everybody who was involved locally,” Vincent said.
The video for “Unsung Heroes,” shot weeks before hurricane Irma hit the Texas coast, was directed by Jennifer Bonior. It celebrates not only the first responders and military but also the everyday neighbors who reach out to one another. The single is from Dailey and Vincent’s new album, Patriots & Poets on Dreamlined Entertainment Group/BFD.
The album features collaborations with Steve Martin, Doyle Lawson, TaRanda Greene, David Rawlings, and Bela Fleck.
“Steve Martin was great to work with, as was everybody on the project,” Vincent said. “He’s wonderful and we’re fans of his really enjoy his music and he’s funny.”
Recently selling out the Ryman in Nashville, Dailey and Vincent are currently the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry and are about to kick off their “Spirit of Christmas” tour.
“Christmas music has always been some of my favorite music,” said Jamie Dailey.  “Every year we take our brand of Christmas music on the road to select stops on tour and there is no better way to end our tour season than singing Christmas music!”
Beginning on November 30, Dailey & Vincent will bring their treasured Spirit of Christmas Tour to 10 cities, as they explore the humanity and spirituality of the season, diving headfirst into the American heritage of Christmas.
“It’s going to be busy” Vincent said. “We have 11 shows in 12 days.”
If you want to catch Dailey and Vincent sooner rather than later, they’re performing tonight at the Ryman beginning at 7:30 and you can buy tickets online at daileyandvincent.com.
You can find their video on YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEymqvz3y-M&feature=youtu.be