Vince Gill

Vince Gill  
 
At only 52 years old, Vince Gill has already received 19 Grammy Awards, 18 CMA Awards, had over 40 Billboard hits, 9 Platinum albums, and has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.  This is an honor that many artist can only dream of.  As well as being successful as a musician and singer, Gill is also praised for his charitable nature and his passion for golf.    
 

Vince Gill- Next Big Thing
Vincent Grant Gill was born in Norman, Oklahoma on April 12, 1957. Like many well-known artists, Gill was influenced at an early age by his father, who was a musician himself, to learn how to play an instrument.  Gill didn’t stop with just one instrument however; he learned how to play the banjo, guitar, bass, fiddle, mandolin and the dobro.  Naturally, Gill found his niche with a bluegrass band and right out of high school he moved to Louisville, Kentucky to pursue his passion for music.  There he joined the Bluegrass Alliance and later played for Ricky Skaggs’s Boone Creek band.  Gill left Kentucky to move to Los Angeles where he was the lead singer of Pure Prairie League, a band which produced three albums and one top ten hit song, “Let Me Love You Tonight.”  
 
In 1983 Gill finally decided to move to Nashville to pursue a solo career in country music.  After spending six years with RCA Records and not seeing much success, Gill signed with MCA Records, giving him the break that he needed.  He reached unbelievable success with his song, “When I Call Your Name.” The song not only put Gill on the map, but also won him his first CMA Award for Single of the Year, as well as his first Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.  Ever since then Gill’s career has been nothing but blossom.   
 
Duets
 
Gill has done countless duets with many highly respected artists.  His long list of duets include working with performers such as Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, Allison Krauss, Sheryl Crow, Mark Chesnutt, Barbara Streisand, Brooks and Dunn, Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Gretchen Wilson, Michael McDonald, LeAnn Rimes, Trish Yearwood, Bonnie Raitt, Patty Loveless, his wife- Amy Grant, and many more.  
 
“The Vinny”
 
Gill’s love of golf also began when he was a child as he began playing the game as early as nine years old.  Gill has helped enhance The First Tee Program in Tennessee, which is a program for children to learn the game and value of golf.  Gill was visited by President Bush and wife, Laura to show their appreciation and respect for his charitable works.  
 
For over 16 years, Gill has hosted his own golf tournament, the Annual Vince Gill Pro-Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament, also known as “The Vinny.” This events raises money for junior golf programs throughout Tennessee.  
 
Other Successes
 
For 12 years, beginning in 1992 to 2003, Gill hosted the CMA Awards.  This set the record for the most times anyone has repeatedly hosted an award show.   
 
Vince Gill Hit Albums & Singles  

• 1984 Turn Me Loose
• 1985 The Things That Matter: “If It Weren’t For Him,” “Oklahoma Borderline”
• 1987 The Way Back Home: “Cinderella,” “Everybody’s Sweetheart”
• 1989 When I Call Your Name: “Oklahoma Swing,” “When I Call Your Name,” “Never Knew Lonely”
• 1991 Pocket Full of Gold: “Pocket Full of Gold,” “Liza Jane,” “Look at Us,” “Take Your Memory With You”
• 1993 I Still Believe In You: “Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away,” “No Future in the Past,” “One More Last Chance,” “Tryin’ to get Over You”
• 1994 When Love Finds You: “Whenever You Come Around,” “What The Cowgirls Do,” “When Love Finds You,” “Which Bridge to Cross,” “You Better Think Twice”
• 1996 High Lonesome Sound: “Worlds Apart,” “Pretty Little Adriana,” “A Little More Love,” “You and You Alone”
• 1998 The Key: “If You Ever Have Forever in Mind”
• 2000 Let’s Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye: “Feels Like Love”
• 2002 Next Big Thing: “Next Big Thing,” “Someday”
• 2006 These Days: “The Reason Why”

  Vince Gill Awards & Recognition  

• 1984 Academy of Country Music Top New Male Vocalist
• 1990 CMA Single of the Year
• 1990 Grammy Best Male Country Vocal Performance
• 1991 CMA Song of the Year
• 1991 CMA Vocal Event of the Year
• 1991 Grammy Best Country Vocal Collaboration
• 1992 Academy of Country Music Song of the Year
• 1992 Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
• 1992 BMI Award for Songwriters/Publishers of the Year
• 1992 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year
• 1992 CMA Song of the Year
• 1992 Grammy Best Country Song
• 1992 Grammy Best Male Country Vocal Performance
• 1993 Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
• 1993 CMA Album of the Year
• 1993 CMA Entertainer of the Year
• 1993 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year
• 1993 CMA Song of the Year
• 1993 CMA Vocal Event of the Year
• 1993 Grammy Best Country Instrumental Performance
• 1994 CMA Entertainer of the Year
• 1994 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year
• 1994 Grammy Best Male Country Vocal Performance
• 1995 BMI Award for Songwriters/Publishers of the Year
• 1995 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year
• 1995 Grammy Best Country Song
• 1995 Grammy Best Male Country Vocal Performance
• 1996 CMA Vocal Event of the Year
• 1996 Grammy Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
• 1996 Grammy Best Male Country Vocal Performance
• 1997 Grammy Best Male Country Vocal Performance
• 1998 Grammy Best Country Instrumental Performance
• 1998 Grammy Best Male Country Vocal Performance
• 1999 CMA Vocal Event of the Year
• 1999 Grammy Best Country Instrumental Performance
• 2007 Grammy Best Male Country Vocal Perfomance
• 2007 Academy of Country Music Vocal Event of the Year
• 2008 Grammy Best Country Album

  Fun Facts About Vince

• Gill married fellow singer Amy Grant in March of 2000, the couple has a daughter, Corrina (8 years old). The family resides in Nashville, Tenn.
• Gill has another daughter from a previous marriage named Jennifer who was born in May of 1982.
• He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in August of 2007.