Vince Gill facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vince Gill
Gill performing live with the Eagles in February 2019
Background information
Birth name	Vincent Grant Gill
Born	(1957-04-12) April 12, 1957 (age 68) Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
Origin	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Country country pop bluegrass rock
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, musician
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1976–present
Labels	RCA Nashville MCA Nashville

Vincent Grant Gill (born April 12, 1957) is a famous American singer, songwriter, and musician. He started his career in the 1970s playing in local bluegrass bands. From 1978 to 1982, he became well-known as the lead singer for the soft rock band Pure Prairie League. He sang on their hit song "Let Me Love You Tonight" and wrote several of their songs.

After leaving Pure Prairie League, Vince Gill briefly played guitar for Rodney Crowell's band, the Cherry Bombs. Then, in 1984, he started his solo career in country music. He recorded for RCA Records Nashville until 1988. A year later, he signed with MCA Nashville, where he has recorded ever since.

Vince Gill was most successful in the early 1990s, starting with his album When I Call Your Name. He has had 65 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Four of his solo songs reached number one: "I Still Believe in You", "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away", "One More Last Chance", and "Tryin' to Get Over You". These hits all came out between 1992 and 1994. He also had number-one songs with other artists, like Reba McEntire's "The Heart Won't Lie" in 1993. In 2016, he was featured on Chris Young's "Sober Saturday Night" and the group song "Forever Country", both of which also hit number one.

All of Vince Gill's albums from the 1990s sold millions of copies, earning "platinum" or higher awards from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His 1992 album I Still Believe in You sold five million copies. Vince Gill has won 22 Grammy Awards, which is more than any other male country music artist.

From 2010 to 2020, Gill was part of the Western swing group the Time Jumpers. In 2017, he joined the famous rock band Eagles after their longtime member Glenn Frey passed away. He has also worked with many other artists, including Patty Loveless, Brooks & Dunn, Kelly Clarkson, and Maren Morris.

Vince Gill was married to Janis Oliver from 1980 to 1997. After they divorced, he married contemporary Christian music singer Amy Grant in 2000. Besides singing and playing, Gill has written songs for artists like Alabama and Ty Herndon. He is also a talented backing vocalist and session musician, meaning he plays instruments or sings on other artists' recordings.

Vince Gill's music is known for his great songwriting, his high singing voice (called a tenor), and his amazing guitar playing. Critics often say he's good at both slow, emotional songs and faster, upbeat ones. Besides guitar, he also plays mandolin, banjo, and Dobro.

Vince Gill's Early Life and Music Journey

Gill was born in Norman, Oklahoma.

Vincent Grant Gill was born on April 12, 1957, in Norman, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of three children. His dad, Stan Gill, was a judge who also played guitar and banjo. Stan taught Vince how to play these instruments. His mom, Jerene, sang and played the harmonica. The Gill family loved listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio and enjoyed rock and roll music. Both parents also loved golf, a hobby Vince would later enjoy too.

When Vince was five, he started playing his grandmother's guitar and learned the song "Old Shep". Three years later, he and his half-brother Bob played the Beach Boys' "Long Tall Texan" on a local radio show. Vince also took guitar lessons and often brought his guitar to school for "show and tell." He would entertain his classmates by playing "The House of the Rising Sun". As a teenager, Vince learned to play many other instruments, including Dobro, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and bass guitar.

Vince became interested in bluegrass music after making friends with someone whose dad was a bluegrass fan and played mandolin. After high school, Vince decided to become a bluegrass musician. He started his own bluegrass band called Mountain Smoke, which once opened for the rock band Kiss.

After Mountain Smoke broke up, Vince moved to Kentucky. There, he played in bands called Bluegrass Alliance and Boone Creek. Ricky Skaggs was also a member of Boone Creek. In 1976, Vince moved to Los Angeles, California, and briefly joined fiddle player Byron Berline's band, Sundance.

Vince Gill's Music Career

Starting Out: Pure Prairie League and the Cherry Bombs

In 1978, the soft rock band Pure Prairie League needed a new lead singer. Vince Gill auditioned and joined the band in October 1978 as a guitarist and singer. He appeared on their 1979 album Can't Hold Back and wrote several songs for it.

While Vince was the lead singer, Pure Prairie League had a top-ten hit called "Let Me Love You Tonight". He also wrote "I'm Almost Ready" and five other songs for their album Firin' Up. Critics liked Vince's contributions, saying they showed a mix of country pop and adult contemporary styles. Overall, Vince Gill recorded three albums as the lead singer of Pure Prairie League.

In 1982, singer Rodney Crowell asked Vince to play guitar in his band, the Cherry Bombs. Vince had turned down the offer before, but since Pure Prairie League's later songs weren't as successful, he decided to join. He left Pure Prairie League and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, a year later. He also briefly played guitar for Rodney Crowell's wife at the time, Rosanne Cash.

Becoming a Solo Artist

Gill is a former member of Rodney Crowell's backing band, the Cherry Bombs.

Another member of the Cherry Bombs, Tony Brown, became a leader at RCA Records Nashville in 1983. Vince wanted to be a solo artist, so Brown helped him sign with RCA that same year. Before signing, Vince sang on David Grisman's album Here Today and provided backing vocals for Steve Wariner's song "Midnight Fire".

Vince Gill's first release for RCA in 1984 was a six-song collection called Turn Me Loose. Three songs from this collection, "Victim of Life's Circumstances," "Oh Carolina," and the title track, reached the top 40 on the country charts. Vince wrote the title track himself. Even though this first release had limited success, Vince won the Top New Male Vocalist award from the Academy of Country Music in 1984. His music also led to him singing backing vocals and playing instruments for other country singers like Conway Twitty and Lee Greenwood.

After Turn Me Loose, Vince played many shows at Nashville's Bluebird Café, a famous place for songwriters. This helped him improve his own songwriting. His first full album for RCA was The Things That Matter in 1985. The song "If It Weren't for Him", a duet with Rosanne Cash, became his first top-ten country hit that year. The album also had another top-ten hit, "Oklahoma Borderline", which Vince wrote with Rodney Crowell. To promote the album, Vince toured as an opening act for Ricky Skaggs.

Vince's first two albums for RCA weren't huge commercial hits, but critics and fans liked them. For his third RCA album, The Way Back Home (1987), Vince wanted a new producer to change his sound. He chose Richard Landis, who also helped pick songs for the album. Landis let Vince play mandolin, banjo, and Dobro, not just guitar. Rodney Crowell and Vince's then-wife Janis (from Sweethearts of the Rodeo) sang backing vocals. This album had four singles. "Cinderella" reached number five on the country charts in 1987. The next two singles, "Let's Do Something" and "Everybody's Sweetheart", were top-20 hits. After this album, Vince ended his contract with RCA because the label wanted him to record only songs written by others. However, Vince said he left RCA on good terms.

Joining MCA Nashville and Becoming a Star

Vince stayed in touch with Tony Brown, who became the president of MCA Nashville Records in 1988. Brown helped Vince sign with MCA in 1989 and produced all of Vince's albums throughout the 1990s. Brown focused on making Vince's vocals stand out more in the music mix.

Vince's first song for MCA was "Never Alone". This was the first of four songs from his MCA debut album, When I Call Your Name, which is seen as his breakthrough album. The album featured many backing singers, including Patty Loveless and Emmylou Harris. The second song from the album was "Oklahoma Swing", a duet with Reba McEntire. This song reached the top 20 in early 1990. It was followed by the title track, "When I Call Your Name", which reached number two, and "Never Knew Lonely", which reached number three.

When I Call Your Name brought Vince many awards. The album sold two million copies in the United States. The title song won Vince his first Grammy Award in 1991 for Best Male Vocal Country Performance. It also won Single of the Year from the Country Music Association (CMA) in 1990. In 1991, it won Song of the Year, and Vince also won Male Vocalist of the Year. He won Male Vocalist of the Year again in 1993, 1994, and 1995. The success of When I Call Your Name led to Vince touring and being invited to join the Grand Ole Opry.

Gill has collaborated with Reba McEntire (left) and Patty Loveless (right).

His next album for MCA was Pocket Full of Gold in 1991. The title song reached number seven on the country charts. "Liza Jane" also reached number seven. "Look at Us" and "Take Your Memory with You" both reached the top five. Like his previous album, Pocket Full of Gold also sold two million copies. It earned Vince another Grammy nomination. In October 1991, Vince hosted the CMA awards show with Clint Black. He continued to host the awards every year until 2003.

I Still Believe in You and Holiday Music

Vince Gill's album I Still Believe in You, released in late 1992, became his best-selling album, selling five million copies. The title song became Vince's first number-one hit in September 1992. His next song, "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away", also reached number one. After this, Vince sang a duet on Reba McEntire's number-one song "The Heart Won't Lie". The next song from I Still Believe in You was "No Future in the Past", which reached number three. Then, "One More Last Chance" and "Tryin' to Get Over You" both topped the country charts between late 1993 and early 1994.

Critics praised I Still Believe in You for its emotional vocals and mature lyrics. "I Still Believe in You" won both Best Country Song and Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards in 1993. Vince won five CMA Awards in 1993, including Album of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Song of the Year for "I Still Believe in You".

In 1993, Vince also released his first Christmas album, Let There Be Peace on Earth. It included traditional Christmas songs and a cover of "Let There Be Peace on Earth", a gospel song. Vince's daughter Jenny sang on this song. The album also featured new songs like "One Bright Star".

More Hits and a Special Song

His next album on MCA was When Love Finds You in 1994. It had six hit songs. "Whenever You Come Around" and "What the Cowgirls Do" both reached number two. The title song, "Which Bridge to Cross (Which Bridge to Burn)", and "You Better Think Twice" all reached the top five in 1995. The last song, "Go Rest High on That Mountain", reached number 14.

Vince started writing "Go Rest High on That Mountain" in 1989 as a tribute to Keith Whitley after he passed away. He finished it four years later when his half-brother Bob Cohen also passed away. Patty Loveless and Ricky Skaggs sang backing vocals on the song. Even though it didn't reach number one, "Go Rest High on That Mountain" became very popular with fans and critics. It's often played to remember family members and friends who have passed. The song won two Grammy Awards in 1995.

In 1995, Vince released a "greatest hits" album called Souvenirs, which included most of his MCA hits and some collaborations. RCA also released The Essential Vince Gill, with songs he recorded for them in the 1980s.

New Sounds and More Awards

Gill in 2007.

In 1996, MCA released Vince's album High Lonesome Sound. The title song reached number 12 in the U.S. but went to number one in Canada. The album had two versions of the song, one with studio musicians and one with Alison Krauss & Union Station. Other hits from the album included "Worlds Apart" (top five), "Pretty Little Adriana" and "A Little More Love" (both number two), and "You and You Alone" (top ten). Critics noted that the album had influences from bluegrass, blues, and Cajun music. "High Lonesome Sound" with Alison Krauss won a Grammy, and "Worlds Apart" and "Pretty Little Adriana" also won Grammys. Vince continued to tour a lot in 1997, but he took some time off after his father, Stan, passed away.

Vince released two albums in 1998. The first was The Key. Its first song, "If You Ever Have Forever in Mind", was a top-five country hit and won a Grammy in 1999. Other songs released from the album included "Kindly Keep It Country", "Don't Come Cryin' to Me", and "My Kind of Woman/My Kind of Man", a duet with Patty Loveless. Many other famous singers, like Faith Hill and Sara Evans, sang on the album. Critics praised The Key for its emotional depth and honesty.

Later in 1998, Vince released his second Christmas album, Breath of Heaven: A Christmas Collection. Both The Key and Breath of Heaven: A Christmas Collection sold over a million copies.

New Millennium, New Music

Gill married Amy Grant in 2000.

In 2000, Vince released the album Let's Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye. The song "Feels Like Love" was the most successful, reaching number six on the country charts. Amy Grant, who Vince married while making this album, sang on the song "When I Look into Your Heart". Many critics felt the album's songs were inspired by his new marriage. The album sold over 500,000 copies.

Vince didn't release another studio album until Next Big Thing in 2003. He wrote the title song, "Next Big Thing", with John Hobbs and Al Anderson. This song became Vince's last solo top-20 country hit. Vince said that many of the songs on Next Big Thing were inspired by getting older and seeing younger artists become popular. He also wanted the album to have more humor. Since Tony Brown was no longer at MCA, Vince produced this album himself. Critics liked the album for having many songs and strong production. "Next Big Thing" won a Grammy Award in 2004.

The Notorious Cherry Bombs and These Days

In 2004, Vince Gill and Rodney Crowell decided to bring back their old band, the Cherry Bombs. They called themselves the Notorious Cherry Bombs and recorded a self-titled album. Vince and Rodney took turns singing lead.

Vince's next big project for MCA was These Days in 2006. This was a special box set with four albums, each in a different style: country rock, soul music, traditional country, and bluegrass. Many guest singers appeared on the album, including Amy Grant, Patty Loveless, Rodney Crowell, LeAnn Rimes, and Sheryl Crow. Vince co-produced the album and wrote most of the songs himself. Critics praised the project for its different styles and interesting lyrics. "The Reason Why" (with Alison Krauss) and "What You Give Away" (with Sheryl Crow) were released as songs. By the end of 2006, These Days sold over a million copies. "The Reason Why" won Vince a Grammy in 2007, and These Days won Best Country Album in 2008.

The Time Jumpers and Recent Albums

Gill (center, seated and playing guitar) with the Time Jumpers in 2011.

Even though Vince recorded fewer albums in the 2000s, he kept touring a lot. In 2010, he joined the Time Jumpers, a group of musicians who play bluegrass and Western swing music in Nashville. The band recorded their album at Vince's home studio in 2012. While with the Time Jumpers, Vince won a Grammy for the song "Kid Sister" from their 2016 album. He performed with the Time Jumpers until 2020.

Vince's next solo album was Guitar Slinger in 2011. It featured songs Vince wrote or co-wrote, and included vocals from his daughter Jenny and other artists like Chris Stapleton. Amy Grant also sang a duet on the song "True Love". The album's songs often explored themes of life and change.

Two years later, Vince worked with steel guitar player Paul Franklin on an album called Bakersfield (2013). This album featured their versions of songs by Merle Haggard and Buck Owens, who were famous for the Bakersfield sound of country music. Critics praised the album's music and song choices.

Joining the Eagles and Okie

Vince released Down to My Last Bad Habit in 2016. The first song, "Take Me Down", featured guest vocals from Little Big Town. Cam also sang on "I'll Be Waiting for You". Critics noted that Vince kept his elegant and soulful style on this album.

After Eagles member Glenn Frey passed away in 2017, the remaining band members asked Vince Gill to join them. Vince, a big fan of the Eagles, accepted. He first performed with the band at a concert in Dodger Stadium in 2017. Vince and Glenn Frey's son Deacon have continued to tour with the Eagles. Vince has said he feels "gratitude" for being chosen, but also wishes Glenn Frey was still there.

Steel guitarist Paul Franklin collaborated with Gill on the albums Bakersfield and Sweet Memories.

His next album, Okie, came out in 2019. Vince produced it and played guitar. This album was more about his own life story. The song "Letter to My Mama" was promoted as the first song. The album also included a song about Amy Grant called "When My Amy Prays", which won Vince a Grammy Award. With 22 Grammy wins, Vince Gill has won more than any other male country music artist.

In 2023, Vince released a second album with Paul Franklin called Sweet Memories: The Music of Ray Price & the Cherokee Cowboys. They covered songs by Ray Price.

Working with Other Artists

Vince Gill is known for working with many other artists as a duet partner, musician, songwriter, and backing vocalist. He often sings harmonies for other artists because he enjoys it.

One of his first collaborations was in 1987 when Emmylou Harris asked him to be on her gospel album Angel Band. Vince played mandolin and sang backing vocals. Alabama recorded one of Vince's songs, "Here We Are", which reached number two on the country charts in 1991. Also in 1991, Mark O'Connor recorded a song called "Restless" with Vince, Steve Wariner, and Ricky Skaggs singing and playing guitar. This song won a Grammy Award in 1992.

Vince also covered the Eagles' song "I Can't Tell You Why" for a tribute album in 1993. He also worked with the band Asleep at the Wheel twice, covering songs by Bob Wills. Both of these collaborations won Grammy Awards for Best Country Instrumental Performance. Vince won another instrumental Grammy in 2001 for a song with Earl Scruggs.

Vince often worked with Patty Loveless throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He sang backing vocals on her albums, and she sang on his hits like "When I Call Your Name" and "Go Rest High on That Mountain". In 1994, Vince sang a duet with Amy Grant called "House of Love", which was a top-40 hit. He also sang with Kermit the Frog on a cover of "Daydream" for a Muppets album. A year later, Vince sang a duet with Dolly Parton on a new version of her hit "I Will Always Love You".

Artists with whom Gill has collaborated include (left to right): Mark O'Connor, Dolly Parton, and Chris Young.

Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow sang backing vocals on Brooks & Dunn's song "Building Bridges" in 2006. In 2008, Vince was one of several musicians on Brad Paisley's instrumental song "Cluster Pluck", which won Vince another Grammy. Vince was also featured on Kelly Clarkson's song "Don't Rush" in 2012. A year later, he helped produce Ashley Monroe's album Like a Rose and co-wrote two songs on it. In 2016, Vince sang backing vocals and played lead guitar on Chris Young's number-one song "Sober Saturday Night". He also sang on Maren Morris's song "Dear Hate" in 2017.

Vince has been part of three notable group songs. "Tomorrow's World" was a charity song released in 1990 to honor Earth Day. In 1996, he participated in "Hope: Country Music's Quest for a Cure", a charity song for cancer research. He also joined "Forever Country" in 2016, a medley of famous country songs recorded by 30 artists to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Country Music Association. This song reached number one on the country charts.

Vince Gill's Musical Style

Vince Gill's music is known for his high voice, his guitar playing, and his wide range of influences. Experts say he has an "aching tenor" voice, great songwriting skills, and guitar playing that rivals the best musicians. His singing style also has elements of bluegrass music.

Music critics describe Vince as "one of the most respected musicians in the history of country music." They say his early work helped shape the traditional country sound of the late 1980s and early 1990s. His time in Pure Prairie League and the Eagles shows his interest in music beyond just country. One writer called him "the Oklahoma native with the tenor kissed by angels and the guitar prowess of a man who made a deal with the devil." He is seen as a link between classic country artists and today's stars.

Vince says Merle Haggard is one of his biggest influences, calling him "the greatest singer" and praising his poetic songs. He also looks up to female artists like Patsy Cline and Kitty Wells. Outside of country, he's influenced by artists like Bruce Springsteen. Vince describes his own songwriting as "simplicity," a quality he also sees in Hank Williams's songs. He often writes more songs for his albums than many other artists. While he's had many hits with slow, emotional songs, he's also had success with upbeat ones like "Liza Jane."

Other artists have been influenced by Vince Gill. Jason Sellers played bass in Vince's band and looked up to him for career advice. Country and bluegrass singer Charlie Worsham says Vince is an influence, and "Liza Jane" was one of the first songs he learned on guitar. In 2018, Vince even gave Charlie a custom-made guitar.

Vince Gill's Personal Life

Gill (right) and Amy Grant (left) in 2004.

In April 1980, Vince Gill married singer Janis Oliver, who later formed the country duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo with her sister. Vince wrote songs like "Everybody's Sweetheart" about his relationship with her. They divorced in 1997. They have one daughter, Jenifer "Jenny" Gill, who has sung on her father's albums, including Let There Be Peace on Earth.

Vince started dating contemporary Christian music singer Amy Grant in 1999, after her divorce. They married on March 10, 2000. Critics noted that some songs on his album Let's Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye were inspired by his marriage to Amy. In March 2001, Vince and Amy had a daughter named Corrinna, who started releasing her own music online in 2023.

Vince Gill is known for his kind personality and his frequent involvement in charity work. Many people call him the "nicest guy in Nashville." He enjoys golf and in 1993, he started a golf charity event called the Vinny Pro-Celebrity Golf Invitational. This event raises money for children's golf programs in Tennessee. In 1995, Vince held a concert to help the American Red Cross after the Oklahoma City bombing. Overall, Vince Gill has contributed to over 60 charities, including All for the Hall, which benefits the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Vince and Amy Grant live in Nashville, Tennessee, where Vince also owns a recording studio.

Discography

Studio albums

• The Things That Matter (1985)
• The Way Back Home (1987)
• When I Call Your Name (1989)
• Pocket Full of Gold (1991)
• I Still Believe in You (1992)
• Let There Be Peace on Earth (1993)
• When Love Finds You (1994)
• Souvenirs (1995)
• High Lonesome Sound (1996)
• The Key (1998)
• Breath of Heaven: A Christmas Collection (1998)
• Let's Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye (2000)
• Next Big Thing (2003)
• These Days (2006)
• Guitar Slinger (2011)
• Bakersfield (with Paul Franklin) (2013)
• Down to My Last Bad Habit (2016)
• Okie (2019)
• Sweet Memories (with Paul Franklin) (2023)

Awards and nominations

Vince Gill has won 22 Grammy Awards, eight Academy of Country Music awards, and 18 Country Music Association awards.

See also

In Spanish: Vince Gill para niños