Vince Gill is the latest recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Gill was honored at the 2025 CMA Awards, starting with Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless singing “When I Call Your Name” in tribute to Gill.
George Strait surprised the crowd by appearing to give Gill the honor.
“It’s such an honor to be here tonight for this special occasion,” Strait begins. “But there’s not a lot more to say about this man that hasn’t already been said, or maybe that you don’t already know, which is obviously what this night is all about. But let me just repeat a few of those things, just as a reminder, in case you’ve been living under a rock somewhere.”
Strait goes on to call Gill’s guitar playing, songwriting, and singing all “amazing.”
“He can sing higher than anybody I know,” the King of Country Music remarks. “He’s in the Country Music Hall of Fame, and he’s just an immense talent. Oh yeah, and he plays for the Eagles. … There’s not a more deserving person to receive this great honor, which bears the name of the true icon himself, Mr. Willie Nelson.”
Vince Gill’s Remarks About Receiving the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
Gill began by joking about the two female artists who performed in tribute to Gill.
“It’s not lost on me that they had girls come out and sing for me tonight. None of the boys can get up that high,” Gill quips.
“This is amazing. I might be, in the history of this award, I think it’s been given to maybe ten people, nine or ten people, something like that. And that list of people is astounding,” Gill says, joking that he’s the only one who won that award who has never smoked any weed.
Gill also praies Nelson, and his far-reaching impact on country music.
“If you’re out there listening, 92 years old, you’re still inspiring us to this day,” Gill concludes.
Vince Gill Talks About Willie Nelson’s Influence In Country Music
Backstage, Vince Gill reflected on Nelson, his influence in country music, and on Gill.
“The name that’s on it means everything,” Gill says. “This man’s 92 years old, Willie Nelson. He’s still making records all the time. Still writing songs all the time, and teaching us all how important songs are. You look at that catalog of songs that Willie Nelson has accomplished, and it’s staggering. He’s a great role model. He’s a great person to mentor, to still look ahead. I’m 68 years old, and I’m right on his heels. But what he’s accomplished and what he’s given us is pretty staggering, kind of the last man standing of that generation. He’s spectacular.
“So I feel a great validation,” Gill continues. “I left home 50 years ago. I made my first record 51 years ago. Came here to Nashville in 1975 to make a record. My hopes and dreams were involved in it. I kept doing it and kept doing it. I would have done it no matter what, success or no success. That’s how deeply I am moved by music. So the success never was a barometer for me to do it or not. Great guy to look up to, Willie Nelson.
@everythingnash @Vincegillofficial talks about how @Willie Nelson inspires him still, after taking home the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the #cmaawards. #vincegill #countrymusic ♬ original sound – EverythingNash
Vince Gill Talks About His Own Musical Legacy
Backstage, Gill reveals that he contributed on more than 1000 albums, all thanks to Nelson and his influence.
“Willie was a great example of how open and welcoming he was to sing with other people,” Gill says. “He sang on everybody’s records. I loved watching that. And it’s what I aspire to do, probably more so than the front guy, out front singing the songs.”
Gill says most times when someone asks him to sing on a song, they want to send it to him first, to see if he likes it. It’s an invitation Gil always declines, telling them, ‘That’s not my job.'”
@everythingnash @Vincegillofficial talks about the significance of receiving the @Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the @Country Music Association. #cmaawards #countrymusic #vincegill ♬ original sound – EverythingNash
Photo Credit: CMA / Kayla Schoen