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Biography
Encouraged to pursue music by his father, Gill learned to play a number of instruments including the banjo and guitar. The first band the singer played in was called The Bluegrass Revue in the tail end of the 1970’s and later Flock the Mountain Smoke who opened for Pure Prairie League and Kiss.
After graduating from high school the singer moved around, first to Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. to play in the band Bluegrass Alliance and later Los Angeles, U.S. in the group Sundance. Gill then auditioned to play in Pure Prairie League who remembered Gill’s high school band and made him the lead singer. After three successful albums and the smash hit “Let Me Love You Tonight” Gill departed in 1981 and joined Rodney Crowell’s backing band entitled the Cherry Bombs.
Shortly after Gill secured a solo deal with RCA and released his debut mini-album “Turn Me Losse” in 1984, drawing inspiration from his country-rock roots. His first Top 40 hit “Victim of Life’s Circumstances” was ahead of the 1984 album “The Things That Matter", and his first Top 10 came with a duet alongside Rosanne Cash with the song “If It Weren’t for Him”.
Gill continued his moderate success with 1987’s “The Way Back Home” but left RCA in 1989 to join MCA. The debut release for MCA “When I Call Your Name” (1989) represented Gill’s first taste a stardom, the title track was a breakthrough for the country singer, reached No. 2 in the Country Chart, and subsequently won Gill his first Grammy.
The singer’s follow-up “Pocket Full of Gold” was another platinum selling album led by the smash-hit singles “Look at Us”, “Take Your Memory” and “Liza Jane”. The album was bettered by his 1992 release “I Still Believe in You”, the title-track ballad gave Gill his first No. 1 single, spawned a number of other chart singles, and eventually sold over four-million copies.
Not content to be pigeonholed a solely county star, Gill released the holiday album “Let There Be Peace on Earth” (1993), the pop-inspired “When Love Finds You” in 1994, and 1996’s bluegrass album “High Lonesome Sound” which received a good deal of critical acclaim and paved the way for Gill’s most revered release.
“The Key” released in 1998, documented his marriage and the ultimate break-up of his marriage to Janis Oliver. The album became his first to top the country charts and saw a more hardcore country approach taken. Gill’s subsequent album “Let’s Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye” (2000) describes his new romance with Amy Grant and was awarded four Grammy nominations.
Since then the singer has released 2003’s “Next Big Thing”, which he produced himself, 2006’s “These Days” and ambitious four-disc release, 2011’s “Guitar Slinger” and 2013’s “Bakersfield”, a collaboration with guitarist Paul Franklin.
Live reviews
I originally encountered Vince Gill as the front man from Pure Prairie League where he blew me away, and hearing that he was breaking away to pursue his solo career back in the 80s was pretty exciting. Gill was set for success with his multitude of talents as a multi-instrumentalist, and he did not disappoint. As the country artist with the most Grammy awards, a staggering 20, Gill can do no wrong, and was inducted in the Country Hall of Fame. Gill has also featured on multiple tracks from other country singers, including Kelly Clarkson’s Greatest Hits Album. Witnessing the star play live was a fantastic moment for me. His sheer skills and talent on every instrument he seems to touch blew me away, along with the blend he creates with his strong band.
Journeying through his back catalogue of hits right up to his modern tracks and colabs, Gill gave us a fantastic show. He even performed some of the Pure Prarie League songs! When he sand When I Call Your Name, the crowd erupted and everyone seemed to be singing along with their arms in the air. Gill encouraged the audience to sing, by stopping in the chorus and letting us fill in. It was really a fantastic opportunity to witness a legend performing live.
yazhow
Vince never lets ya down when you’re craving a great concert with a great icon and truly genuine man/ entertainer! He is simply one of the very best all around talented musicians I’m aware of!! He put on a fantastic show at the Arvest (Midland) venue in KCMO August 15th. We went with confidence that Vince would amaze us once again and he followed through and beyond! We couldn’t be happier with his performance!!
I do want to mention that I tripped going down the steps in the upper balcony bc it was SO dark. Either an usher should be available with flashlights in each area or tiny lights could be installed under the stair seating areas guiding you down the isles. There are also no railings to hold onto while going up and down the balcony seating areas so I accidentally put my hand on peoples’ knees and shoulders for balance.
I totally understand that you don’t want to change anything about the beauty of this venue but I believe there is a way to make it safer in the seating/ isle areas while keeping the integrity of the venue.
Thank you for a fantastic night! The hospitality was not fantastic but acceptable and the entire experience was very satisfying and enjoyable!
terienfield
I have been a loyal fan of Vince Gill for many years and saw that he was coming to a town near where we live in Cardiff by the Sea Ca. Although I was not familiar with The Time Jumpers I knew if Vince Gill was with them they must be great. We were not disappointed. The center was sold out, The show started on time. Every member of the band did at least one solo, all were great entertainers both vocally and instrumentalist. Vince did several solos. We wanted more of him of course but was not disappointed with the other professional artist at all. We learned a lot and was more than entertained. In fact we almost did not get to go because of a injury to my hip that landed me in a wheelchair. The center was accommodating and I ended up using a cane w/ help of my husband to get into the seat as handicap area was sold out. That's how bad I wanted to be there. I had lots of pain but when the music started I lost the pain sensation and enjoyed the show. Great music is very healing and it gave me fulfillment and encouragement while waiting for my hip replacement. So glad we went in spite of the unexpected injury to my hip. Great music, great people, and great show!! Julie Sauer
julie-sauer
Vince Gill is considered a commander of the often difficult genre of country rock. Enjoying success with his first band Pure Prairie League as well as having a lucrative solo career, his tours now consist of fans of both ventures and by the age of some patrons they may have been following him since the early 80s.
Although Gill is now pushing 60, he does not seem to be in any rush to hang up his guitar and settle into retirement as he clearly continues to live for the music. Getting up on stage and performing his popular tracks night after night clearly never gets old for Vince and the large cheers he receives is clear indication the fans aren't getting bored of the classics either. Demonstrating some instrumental skill during an acoustic solo set, Vince has the whole room leaning in and sharing in the moment. He soon invites his band back for 'Oklahoma Borderline' and the stomping 'Liza Jane' which closes proceedings in a suitably country rock style.
sean-ward
First of all, Hoyt Sherman is hands down the best place to see a concert.
That being said, it was made all that much better by having Vince Gill perform in front of a sold-out show.
My wife and I had seen him once before (back in 2004 at Hilton Coliseum with his wife, Amy Grant). That was a great show, but this was such an intimate concert that the two really don't compare.
The best part of this excellent concert was when Vince sat on a stool and talked about his father, his wife, his "mistaken" identity and just played an extended acoustic set.
It was one of those shows where you felt like the concert had been going on for about an hour only to realize that it was pushing 2 1/2 hours.
I encourage everyone to make sure that there list of must-see concerts includes Vince Gill.
I won't forget what I was doing on Saturday, April 8th in Des Moines, IA!
chris-williams-54
I have always been a big Vince Gill fan because I know he feels the music to his core and he makes everyone else feel it too. This concert felt intimate for his audience and very informal and that was a plus. The ONLY negative was it was difficult to hear Vince in the balcony section during the "stories" part of the Songs and Stories concert. One person yelled out we can't hear during the earliest talk session in the concert. Vince's voice tone is very soft so it didn't carry well up to the balcony but we could hear the music very well. Still loved the concert.
vpearson
The show was awesome! He played (for 2-1/2 hrs) all his hits and even some new ones. Vince is one heck of a guitar player and quite the songwriter! His slow songs just go right thru you and his up tempo ones make you want to dance! His vocals are like no other and he is sweet and funny and just a very humble man. Don’t pass up the chance to see him!
moskals4
Vince Gill delivered a wonderful concert on a mildly chilly September evening in Northwest Washington that pleased the audience greatly. His concert was filled with his many hits, his stories of how his songs were written, and more. He did a wonderful job of entertaining the crowd with the everlasting charm and his humble ways.
Dognos
Vince Gill proved that after 43 years of making music he still enjoys his job. A very talented musician and an excellent lyricist, Vince Gill and his band provided an hour and 20 minutes of great music. He is a man of few speaking words but shows a good sense of humor when he does.
95TransAm
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