Vince Gill's Humor Shines at the Country Music Hall of Fame
From the moment Vince Gill was introduced last night (Feb. 24) at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum as "country's favorite knucklehead," he had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand with a mix of humor and stellar musicianship. This was the last of his artist-in-residency shows at the Hall, a program that has previously honored Cowboy Jack Clement, Earl Scruggs, Tom T. Hall, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson and Jerry Douglas, and Gill intended to make the best of it with a three-hour performance that featured jokes and guest appearances.
Gill eased into his set with six popular tunes -- and a story for each one (the one about embarrassing himself with bad joke when he first met Conway Twitty was especially entertaining). From there, it was a parade of friends brought up to play a few songs while trying to keep up with Vince's onstage mischief.
Singer-songwriter Leslie Satcher joined him first, singing "When I'm Good and Gone" and "Gypsy Boots," a song co-written with Terri Clark and Jon Randall. Josh Turner came up next to sing "So Not My Baby" and "Long Black Train," letting Gill attempt the final note on "Train." It was only several octaves below the singer's normal range, giving the audience a hearty laugh and leading into more of Gill's self-depreciating personal anecdotes. Pianist John Hobbs was next with songs from Gill's four-disc album, These Days, and he was followed by Dobro master Jerry Douglas to pick and swap fuzzy memories from their time in the bluegrass band, Boone Creek. Douglas' accompaniment on "Go Rest High on That Mountain" could make a person forget about the original vocal harmonies on that song.
The night was a rollercoaster of emotions. I was laughing out loud and inspired to call my dad after the song, "The Key to Life," and by hearing the loving and detailed stories of Gill's father, whom he called "the scariest man I've ever met." But "Bread and Water," a song partly inspired by Gill's brother and his struggles through life, had the audience on the verge of tears. And it's in that context that Vince Gill's true talent shows through. He's able to convey every emotion with equal intensity, and he does it all as a lovable knucklehead.
View photos from the concert at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
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Kevin says:
I love Vince. I wish I would have bought tickets to this back when there were still some to be had.
Leeann says:
Sounds like a wonderful show. Thanks for sharing. Too bad Vince and Leslie didn’t do “Texas Ruby”.
Vicki says:
Vince is the most down home and refreshing personality in Country music today. You can always count on him to liven up any situation. Besides that he has a God given talent for singing and playing any stringed instrument. He’s a all-around showman who never puts on a bad show.
Lifsgrt says:
Vince Gill and Amy Grant knocked it out of the park at the ThanksUSA benefit with their performance. His “Bread and Water” was one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in 46 years, strongly recommend he record this for all to hear!! The storyline behind “Whenever You Come Around” and him singing it to Amy was also outstanding…what a couple!! I hope they’re at least as happy as they appear on stage! They are both wonderful artists in every aspect.