Rhonda Vincent. Photo by Albert Sanchez.

The rumors have been floating around for weeks, perhaps months. And half of the rumor became reality last week, when fiddle wiz Michael Cleveland announced that Rhonda Vincent’s guitar player, Darrell Webb, would be joining his band at the end of December.

Now, the other half of the rumor has been confirmed, by Rhonda Vincent herself, announcing Monday that veteran banjo player Kenny Ingram has departed her band, The Rage.

“We sadly say goodbye to two of my very dear friends, Kenny Ingram and Darrell Webb,” Vincent said in a statement posted on her Web site. ” I love them and wish them the very best, and will help them in any way I can.”

Vincent said beginning immediately Aaron McDaris, who just departed The Grascals, would take over Ingram’s spot and Ben Helson, in the bluegrass spotlight with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, would become The Rage’s new guitar player, replacing Webb.

Fiddler Hunter Berry and bass player Mickey Harris are beginning their eighth season with Vincent’s band, one of the most widely traveled bands in the industry.

The Rage has no December tour dates posted on Vincent’s Web site, but is instead apparently recording a new CD.

“This group of incredible musicians has already started recording,” Rhonda Vincent said. “We will be posting photos from the studio, and hosting live Web casts, along with various contests and activities to involve everyone in the process of recording this new album, and to welcome the new members.

“I hope that you will be as excited as I am about the new music, new members, and new approach to our presentation,” she added. “This new approach will incorporate talents never before seen from this group; including Mickey on dobro, and Hunter singing solo. As you’ve seen in years past, we never know what Hunter might do, and that is something that hasn’t changed.

“With this new group of musicians, we will also record, for the first time in the history of Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, with only the musicians of The Rage. There will be no guest appearances or additional musicians of any kind.”