“If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might be something close to the great Vance Gilbert", says Richmond Magazine. Vance's new album being released - "The Mother Of Trouble" - sports Grammy winner Lori McKenna on background vocals, Born and raised in Philadelphia area, word spread like wildfire about Gilbert's stage-owning singing and playing, and Shawn Colvin invited him to be special guest on her 1992 Fat City tour where he took much of America by storm and by surprise. “With the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god..” wrote the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He’s been opener of choice for artists as varied as Arlo Guthrie, Anita Baker, The Milk Carton Kids, and Southside Johnny, the mid 2000’s found Gilbert opening 140+ shows for comedian George Carlin. Most recently he’s the opener Ohhh for Paul Reiser, along with his own busy acoustic music touring and teaching schedule. He has also made a prominent presence at some of the world’s most prestigious gatherings and halls, among them the Newport, Winnipeg, Rocky Mountain, Calgary, Ottawa, and Falcon Ridge folk festivals, Mountain Stage, Boston's Symphony Hall, The Barns at Wolftrap, and a private party for his veterinarian where there was terrific lo-mein. Considered by many to be an integral part of the national folk scene, he even sports a song on a Grammy nominated children's album. That’s rounded.