RODNEY Vincent is raring to crank up Christmas.
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After a year like no other for the entertainment industry amid the COVID-19 crisis, the Border-based entertainer has bided his time until the return of live shows.
Vincent lost all his gigs and his overseas sojourns.
"With no work I have been doing Facebook video shows to keep in touch with everyone," he said.
"It has helped me keep the mind active, it's no fun singing to a phone with no reaction by the audience apart from the comments coming through, which are great but you cannot beat a 'live' audience."
In an interesting COVID pivot, Vincent completed his training as a funeral celebrant this year.
He said after he lost his dad three years ago he learnt a lot from planning the funeral.
"As it turned out she passed away three weeks ago and I was able to do the whole service," Vincent said.
"Our journey in life takes us places where we don't always expect to be.
"But after so many years in the entertainment industry, I can gauge the mood in the room."
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Vincent has done feature shows at The Commercial Club Albury for the past decade.
During the past two years he has been joined on his Christmas Show by Albury-raised Lachlan McIntyre.
Having trained in classical music and politics, McIntyre said he had found a mentor in Vincent.
"We're lucky to have Rodney in town as an entertainer," he said.
"I've learnt a lot from working with him.
"I studied classical music with a lot of tradition and not a lot of showmanship!"
Vincent said with Carols by Candlelight scrapped this year, the Christmas Show was a rare chance to enjoy seasonal songs.
"The combination of Lachlan's vocal range and my light-hearted Christmas carols works well," he said.
Vincent hoped his tours to Norfolk Island and New Zealand would go ahead next year.
"The industry has been kind to me over many years and has always provided me with a living, travel all over the world on my holiday trips, meeting so many wonderful people and doing something that I love," Vincent said.
Limited tickets are now available for the Christmas Morning Show.