NASHVILLE, TN—On September 22, during the Nashville Songwriters’ awards, the legendary country singer and songwriter, Vince Gill, was presented with the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented by Lisa Kristofferson at the Ryman Auditorium.
On the third performance of the night, country music great Chris Stapleton took the stage singing Vince Gill’s biggest hit, and signature song “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” Gill took the stage next to accept his award, calling Stapleton’s rendition “Powerful” and “Beautiful.”
“I played that song for Tony [Speaking of Vince Gill’s producer, Tony Brown]. It was right after my brother had died.” I said, ‘I wrote this song, but I don’t think I can record it. Why not?” Tony asked. “It’s too personal. It hurts too much.” Tony replied. ‘I’m sorry, but you have to record that song.’ He made me record Go Rest High On That Mountain so I owe him a great debt of gratitude,” Vince Gill stated.
Vince Gill has had the unique ability to live through tragedies and turn his sadness into beautiful music to be enjoyed by others. As stated by Gill himself, it was after his brother Bob’s terrible accident and ultimate death in 1993 that brought forward his signature song.
In 2022, Gill’s wife, and love of his life, and fantastic musician in her own right, Amy Grant, was seriously injured in a bicycle accident. Amy Grant suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that still affects her today. Vince Gill did not leave her side. He stayed and doted and cared for his wife.
Being unconscious for 10 minutes resulted in memory loss. At one point, Grant asked Gill, “What if this is all I get back?” People magazine recorded Gill’s response.
“Amy, life happens to every-one of us every day. A virtuoso musician could have a stroke and never be able to pick up their instrument again. All you do is you just take the hand you’re dealt with that day and live the life that you get.”
Amy Grant had to remember how to sing, and she has. In May of this year, she produced her first album in over a decade, The Me That Remains.
Vince Gill is the recipient of; 22 Grammy Awards, at least 18 Country Music Association Awards (CMA), including four Song of the Year honors, Eight Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards with Top New Male Vocalist in 1984.
He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, and again in 2025, the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007, and the Hollywood Hall of Fame in 2012.
In addition, he was awarded the Ken Burns American Heritage Prize in 2026
