Vince Gill, the 22-time Grammy-winning country music singer-songwriter, will be honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award by the Country Music Association Awards.
“Vince embodies the very best of what Country Music stands for,” Sarah Trahern, CEO of CMA, said in a statement. “He’s a true trailblazer, one who gives back to the community, honors the roots of our genre, and even now, continues to share his talent with fans across the globe. As a Country Music Hall of Fame member, 18-time CMA Award winner, and former 12-time CMA Awards host, he remains a vibrant force in our industry, and we’re honored to celebrate an artist whose influence is so deeply woven into the fabric of our format.”
The 59th annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Gill will accept the distinction during Country Music’s Biggest Night, which will stream the following day on Hulu, after a special tribute performance.
The Oklahoma native has solidified his place as one of the genre’s most renowned artists, having released 20 albums, sold more than 30 million records, charted 45 singles and been nominated for a whopping 48 Grammys. His musical versatility has led him to be a key member of several bands, including Pure Prairie League, The Cherry Bombs and The Time Jumpers. In 2017, he was also invited to join the Eagles on tour, and has since continued collaborating with them.
Having performed for half a century, Gill is honoring his career milestone by curating a series of EPs to be released on MCA Records over the course of a year. Aptly titled 50 Years from Home, the first EP of the series, I Gave You Everything I Had, was released Oct. 17.
The artist shares the record (with Carrie Underwood) for most times hosting the CMA Awards, leading the show from 1992 through 2003. He has previously taken home the CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence in 2014, the CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award in 2017 and is a four-time CMA Triple Play Award recipient. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007, and in 2012 was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in country music. The award is bestowed upon those who have achieved international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts and sales. Gill joins previous recipients namesake Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Alan Jackson and George Strait.
