By Kevin Coughlin
There are reasons why Vince Gill has won 20 Grammy awards, 18 Country Music Association awards and a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Those reasons were on display Thursday at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.
It’s hard to say whether Gill shines brightest as a singer, songwriter or guitarist; suffice it to say that his ample gifts added up to one of the most satisfying evenings we’ve spent at 100 South St.
Coincidentally, that short list also includes a concert a few years back by Amy Grant, who happens to be Gill’s wife.
Among the highlights of Gill’s show was a solo acoustic set that featured a tender song for her, Red Words.
Grant is “kind as kind can be,” a woman who never looks over anyone’s shoulder for a better conversation. When people approach her, Gill said, “she’s all in until they’re done.”
By the time Gill was done with that set — which included poignant tributes to his late brother, who never fully recovered from a car crash (Go Rest High on That Mountain), and to his late father, a “lawyer during the day and a redneck at night” (Key to Life) — anyone who entered the theater unfamiliar with Vince Gill now felt like family.
That connection was sealed when his daughter, Jenny Gill, who has a voice made for Broadway, sang her own tribute to him, Your Shadow, while he sat quietly in the shadows.
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When Vince launched into Look at Us, a couple sauntered into the aisle and danced cheek-to-cheek.
“I love that song,” Gill said afterward. “It allowed me to buy a house I can no longer afford.”
Rounding out the family theme was a top-notch band, composed mostly of Vince Gill’s longtime musical mates.
Paul Franklin wrung tears from his pedal steel guitar. Bill Thomas drove the rockabilly numbers from his drum kit. Jeff White played guitar and hit the high harmonies, which Vince Gill jokingly conceded is hard to do with Vince Gill. Tim Akers handled keyboards, while Willie Weeks, who has backed George Harrison and Eric Clapton, among others, took care of the bass.
The night included nods to country legends Buck Owens (Foolin’ Around) and Merle Haggard (Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down), and such Vince Gill favorites as When I Call Your Name, Pretty Little Adriana, What the Cowgirls Do, I Still Believe in You, Liza Jane and a scorching rendition of Oklahoma Borderline.
At 58, Gill appears to be at the height of his powers on the fretboard. The precision of his playing is marvelous to behold; not a note is wasted. Confidently, seemingly effortlessly, he ladles his licks like a master chef, adding just the right seasoning to each tune.
Which might explain why Mark Knopfler once invited him to join Dire Straits.
That could have been an interesting detour. (Hey, Gill crooned the 1980 hit Let Me Love You Tonight with Pure Prairie League.) But based on the Hall of Fame body of work we heard on Thursday, we’re satisfied Vince Gill made the right choice.
As good as Vince’s show is, you haven’t seen him at his best till you see him relaxing and having a good time with his buddies – The Time Jumpers. If you go to Nashville and don’t see this super Texas swing band, you’ve wasted you time & money. To see Vince in a setting where he is just another member of the band really tells how much character and class he has. He really enjoys being a member of this band.
Vince’s talent has converted so many people over the years. One thing about him is his graciousness and how humble he is .A story he told while accepting his Irving Waugh Award at the CMA’S last year. He said,” I will tell you why I am the way I am.One morning I was having breakfast and a former Governor of the great State of Tennessee came by and he patted me on the head and said you are a good boy boy ,,you’re a good boy and you have done a lot of great things but keep in mind that the attendance at you funeral will be largely dependent on the weather ,so thank you and good night .” That’s our Vinny . Another answer he gave when ask what are some of the things you learned while growing up .His response was ,”I learned I had a special gift but it did not make me special >” Will I do think he’s special .You don’t fine all of the qualities that Vince Gill possess’ in every entertainer .
Very nice article.Thank you.
I loved this concert review because it is everything I thought how the show would have been. I grew up with classical music and love instrumental music. I have never been a fan of country music until one day I accidentally heard Vince’s singing on a country music radio. More I listened in the following days his voice was so compelling, I had to find out who it was. Since then I listened only his music and purchased most all his albums. This was only 8 months ago. Now I have a ticket for his live show in Colorado Springs, Colorado this summer. I can hardly wait!!!!