Latest news with #GoRestHighonThatMountain
Epoch Times
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
An Evening With Vince Gill
For the past eight years, country singer-songwriter Vince Gill has toured with the popular rock band The Eagles. After group member Glenn Frey's passing, Gill stepped in to provide guitar work and vocals to songs that required the late Eagles member's musicianship. He calls his time spent with the hit-making group since 2017 an 'amazing experience.' This summer, he's heading in a different direction. In February 2025, Gill While 'I've spent 40 plus years creating that body of work, and I'm extremely proud of it.' When asked about his upcoming headlining tour, he said he wanted to get his music back out on the road in part because, 'I miss those songs.' It's been years since he's performed his own music for live audiences, and this time around, he's bringing along an eight-piece band to back him up, including acclaimed steel guitarist Eddy Dunlap. Related Stories 9/13/2024 4/9/2025 Concert-goers can expect to hear new material, as well as Gill's classic hits from the 1990s. One of those classics just so happens to be the single he misses performing the most. A Smile Sparks a Song Gill spent the fledgling years of his career in the 1970s and early 1980s playing in different bands. He spent time collaborating with country-rock group Pure Prairie League, who experienced great success with their surprise hit, 'Amie,' before Gill's tenure. After joining the band, he provided vocals for their subsequent hit, 'Let Me Love You Tonight.' Over the years, he's also dedicated time to playing with western swing group The Time Jumpers, who collaborated with Miranda Lambert on her 2014 album 'Platinum' for the fiddle-heavy, country-western inspired track, 'All That's Left.' But he's best known for his work as a solo country artist. (L) Cover for Vice Gill's 1990 album "When I Call Your Name" and his 1992 album cover for "I Still Believe in You" featuring hit song "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away." Internet Archive. Public Domain His breakout hit came in 1990 with the release of the longing ballad, 'When I Call Your Name.' After it reached the second spot on Billboard country charts, more hits followed, and the singer became well-known for his distinctive tenor voice and emotionally driven songs about love and relationships. Other popular songs that solidified Gill as one of country music's authoritative voices include 'Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away,' 'I Still Believe in You,' and the spiritual tribute, 'Go Rest High on That Mountain.' Compact disc pamphlet from Vince Gill's 1994 album "When Love Finds You," featuring hit song "Go Rest High On That Mountain." Internet Archive. Public Domain The country artist began writing 'Go Rest High on That Mountain' in 1989 after the passing of Keith Whitley, one of the genre's influential singer-songwriters. It wasn't until 1993 that Gill finished writing the song after his older brother, Bob, passed. Though the song would go on to become one of Gill's signature country releases, the languid, intimate ballad could equally pass as a stirring contemporary hymn. Gill bravely explored the nuances of his grief within the lyrics, and the song quickly became a comforting respite to those who had experienced similar losses. Country music giants Patty Loveless and Ricky Skaggs contributed harmonies to the tribute's original recording. While Gill loves playing all his biggest hits and fan-favorite tracks, there's one he's most excited to perform again: his 1994 hit single, 'Whenever You Come Around.' It's another one of his signature ballads that allows his voice to take the lead. He wrote it for his wife, fellow vocalist Amy Grant. The inspiration for it came from an endearing observation. Amy Grant and Vince Gill perform together on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Burbank, Calif. in 'Whenever You Come Around,' he shared, 'That song I wrote about her smile is my favorite song to sing.' The couple tied the knot 25 years ago. A Half-Century Milestone The country singer is also excited to introduce fans to some of his new material. He's been hard at work songwriting in between touring, and he's penned over 100 new compositions in the last few years. A few of those should make the final cut for the 'An Evening with Vince Gill' set list. 'I've written 150 songs in the last two or three years, and I don't want to see them all sit in a desk drawer somewhere and never be heard.' The Oklahoma native feels that even after five decades in the country music business, he's still improving his skillset. 'My heart tells me I'm writing better songs. My ears tell me I'm singing better.' His summer 2025 tour starts on May 8 in Rochester, New York, and concludes in August with four shows at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium. Other stops include The Chicago Theatre in Illinois on May 23, The Johnny Mercer Theatre in Savannah, Georgia on June 7, and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee on June 14. While remarking on how it feels to still be performing after so many years in the music business, Gill What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
Axios
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Kenny Chesney, June Carter Cash, Tony Brown to join Country Music Hall of Fame
The stadium-filling superstar Kenny Chesney will join the Country Music Hall of Fame this year alongside musical matriarch June Carter Cash and powerhouse producer Tony Brown. Why it matters: Induction into the Hall of Fame is the biggest and most exclusive honor in country music. Kenny Chesney 🤠 Kenny Chesney has built an empire during his 21 years of hit-making. His legion of fans, known as "No Shoes Nation," share a fervent devotion that rivals Swifties and Parrot Heads. Although he grew up in landlocked East Tennessee, he is an acolyte of Jimmy Buffett, and his feel-good, beachy bops dominated country radio at the turn of the century. Zoom out: Chesney cemented his legacy on the road. He has been one of the biggest touring acts in any genre for years. His first stadium show was close to home at Knoxville's Neyland Stadium in 2003. But he has gone on to fill cavernous venues in Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit and beyond. Fun fact: When Vince Gill announced Chesney as one of the inductees at the Hall of Fame on Tuesday, he told the audience that Chesney toured in Russia with East Tennessee State University's bluegrass band. June Carter Cash 🌺 June Carter Cash is country music royalty. She is part of the legendary Carter family and married Johnny Cash in 1968. (She wrote "Ring of Fire" about their relationship.) "If country music is a family, today's inductee was its matriarch for decades," Gill said Tuesday. "She earned that role, not just through her talent, but by bringing musicians together across generations." The big picture: In addition to her own music, Carter Cash helped nurture Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings and Larry Gatlin. Fun fact: Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar for playing Carter Cash in the 2005 film "Walk the Line." Tony Brown 🎙️ Tony Brown shaped the sound of country music in the 1990s. He produced hits for Gill, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood, to name a few. Brown cut his teeth in backing bands for Elvis Presley and Emmylou Harris. He became president of MCA Nashville during a boom time for the genre and went on to found Universal South Records. Behind the scenes: As an executive, he was a champion of Americana music, signing or producing artists such as Shooter Jennings, Lyle Lovett and The Mavericks. Fun fact: Gill said Brown "single-handedly" persuaded him to record "Go Rest High on That Mountain." It is one of many modern standards Brown produced.
