Vince Gill is a well-known country singer, guitarist, and songwriter.
With songs like When I Call Your Name, Whenever You Come Around, and Don’t Let Our Love Start Slipping Away in his catalog, it’s fair to assume that many people are delighted to hear his voice when he appears on stage—regardless of the song he’s singing.
But because Gill was singing about Jesus, he was almost stopped from playing a song he really wanted to play on the Grand Ole Opry stage with the band Little Big Town.
The good news is that he didn’t give up and broke the rules he set for himself, giving a beautiful and moving performance as a result.
Gill was born in 1957 in Oklahoma. His musical career started with the Pure Prairie League, a rock band, and he later became a solo performer in the 1980s.
In the past few years, he has turned his attention to writing and performing gospel songs in the country style, which show his faith and passion.
Gill’s interest in music may have arisen from his father, who, although being a judge and lawyer, was also a member of a local country band.
From his dad, Gill learned to play numerous musical instruments and gained the support he needed to pursue a music career from his dad.
But he’s not your typical singer. Gill is the proud recipient of 18 Country Music Association and Grammy Awards.
Along with other iconic, genre-defining hitmakers like Dolly Parton, he was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame, something many singers in his area could only dream of.
So how could anybody deny this great, bright musician the chance to play the song he desired?
When he was asked to sing at Little Big Town’s induction into the Grand Ole Opry, he was told not to sing religious songs, especially songs about Jesus.
But, given how well-known Gill has become in recent years for his gospel songs, why shouldn’t he?
Ignoring these criteria, Gill did a fantastic rendition of «Why Me Lord,» which Johnny Cash sang in 1968.
Gill’s voice was full of passion, echoing clear, real, and beautiful across the audience.
It was so beautiful and magnificent that when he finished, the whole audience gave him a standing ovation!
Nobody appeared to mind that he had sang a song about Jesus or a Christian hymn.
They were all just delighted to hear his voice and experience his melody and passion.
Even though different award shows have different rules, it seems likely that the show’s organizers didn’t work out all the details well enough.
Gill is very brave for choosing to sing a song that fits with his beliefs and musical style. Not everyone would have had the courage to ignore instructions in this way.
On the other hand, when you’re in the Country Music Hall of Fame, you get to set your own rules!
