Vince Gill received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during the CMA Awards on Nov. 19. Preceding Gill’s acceptance of the honor, a musical tribute took the stage, featuring Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless covering Gill’s hit song “When I Call Your Name.”
After the performance, country legend George Strait took the stage to present Gill with the award. He said of the 22-time Grammy winner, “There is not a more deserving person to receive this honor, which bears the name of the true Icon himself, Mr. Willie Nelson.”
Gill kept it light with his acceptance speech, opening with a joke before gushing about the award’s history. He told the audience, “It’s not lost on me that we had to have girls come out here and sing for me tonight. None of the boys can get up that high.” He added. “This is amazing. In the history of this award, I think it’s been given to maybe ten people, nine or ten, something like that. And that list of people is astounding.”
After sharing a message of love and gratitude to his management and family, Gill gave a final shoutout to the award’s namesake: “Willie, if you’re out there listening, 92 years old, you’re still inspiring us to this day. God bless.”
Born in Oklahoma, Gill began his career as a session player and solo act, working on David Grisman’s 1983 album “Here Today” and releasing his debut EP the following year. In 1990, he had his first hit single with “When I Call Your Name.” Two years later, he released the quadruple platinum album “I Still Believe in You,” which solidified him as a major star and leading figure in country music.
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