Vince Gill Reflects on Hall of Fame Honor

8/31/2007 Stephen L. Betts   Vince Gill has no problem being known as one of country music's ambassadors.  But just don't say that the soon-to-be Country Music Hall of Famer is only a country artist. That goes for his live shows as well, which include wife Amy Grant, and bluegrass powerhouse the Del McCoury Band. Vince tells the Salt Lake (UT) Tribune, "It's really fun because [my concerts] really do go to a lot of places. You look at Amy's career, doing some contemporary Christian stuff, and she's done pop stuff that she's had big hits with. And then you have Del from the traditional bluegrass world. And then I come from the hardcore twang/country world, with a little bit of rockin' stuff and some jazz songs. "All I've really tried to do is plug Amy and Del into the big show. So it's not Del and the boys playing, then a break, Amy playing, then a break. It's kind of all-inclusive."  Asked if being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame makes him feel old before his time, Vince laughs, saying it makes him feel "really old and really young at the same time." Proud of being inducted, Vince calls the honor a "pinnacle" for those in the industry, and says he probably got in because people appreciate the diversity of his career. "My career is more than just my recording career or me as an artist," he says. "It's me as a session musician and as a session singer. It's me as a songwriter and me being involved in humanitarian-type things." Vince's current tour is a family affair that he doesn't normally experience when he's on the road. Jenny, his 25-year-old daughter from his first marriage, is touring as a vocalist with his band; tours with wife Amy are more rare than one might think. "It doesn't happen a lot," says Vince of touring with Amy and their 6-year-old daughter, who just started school. "I think we're both of the mindset that we've had 20- or 25-year careers separately. Let's not become Sonny and Cher or Donny and Marie. "I guess Donny and Marie might be more appropriate for Utah," he adds with a laugh. "I always say [on this tour], 'Hey, I get to sleep with one of the other acts. That never happens!' That road life is lonely. It's fun to play music in front of people, but it's a drag to be away from your family."