The Grammy Award-winning “queen of bluegrass” put on a show for a large crowd that benefitted the Dream Factory of Northwest Missouri to the tune of around $26,000. Vincent’s high-energy performance with her band, The Rage, included a couple of selections with her mother, Carolyn Vincent, who still resides in Greentop. While music was the big draw to the show, concert-goers also got to be in on the surprise when 13-year-old Russell Mouton of Chillicothe got to see his “dream” come true. The son of Kirsten and Rodney Mouton was brought on stage where Ron Dougan, organizer of the concert and a long-time Dream Factory volunteer, and Vincent presented him with a state-of-the-art gaming system that included a gaming laptop, streaming deck, headphones and virtual reality set. Several of the Dream Factory’s past recipients were in the audience for the performance.
Dougan himself was also recognized with a plaque in appreciation of his work in organizing the concert. Dougan’s granddaughter, Sydney Dougan, presented the plaque to him during the show’s intermission.
The evening also included a last-minute donation of a guitar by Trenton resident Ed Johnston, which was auctioned off during the break. Ryder Allen, a teen-age auctioneer, took to the stage to conduct the auction, which brought in $1,010 for the Dream Factory.
Vincent, who was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in February, stayed in the Trenton High School commons long after the show was over, signing autographs, visiting with fans and, of course, posing for pictures.
The Dream Factory is an all-volunteer national organization that grants the dreams of critically and chronically ill children ages three through 18. For more information, contact Dougan at 660-359-0100.