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Vince Gill Opens Four-Night Stand at the Ryman Auditorium in Fantastic High-Flying Fashion
by Rich and Laura Lynch
One of the most popular artists in modern country music, Vince Gill wasn't lying when he told the standing room only crowd on August 1, 2024 that he and his 11-piece band were "gonna play for a while" as they kicked off a much anticpated four night residency at the legendary Ryman Auditorium.
Vince Gill fronted an incredible 11-piece band at the Mother Church in Nashville.
Early in the set Gill complimented the historic building stating it was the "best place in the whole wide world for music" before saying that they were going to deliver a "cheating song right off the bat" in advance of a flawless rendition of the sparkling "Pocket Full of Gold".
After the fifth song - "High Lonesome Sound" - that Gill called a nod to his bluegrass past he once again exclaimed that "I'm just so excited about singing my own damn songs, I can't stand it" - a statement he backed up with both words and deeds as the generously long night in Music City played out before the assembled gathering of faithful fans, family and friends in Nashville.
There were several themes that connected the night with one being Gill's own decades long career in the music industry. His journey in the biz began in 1975 when he left home after high school to set out on the road as an in-demand guitar player and sideman. He would find success and fame not long after when he was selected to replace Craig Fuller in the country rock outfit Pure Prairie League. But, as Vince alluded to the crowd at the Ryman - he considers that his own time in the spotlight really began when he signed to RCA Records Nashville in 1983 - 41 years ago - that culminated in Gill winning the Top New Male Vocalist from the Academy of Country Music in 1984.
So, it was probably no coincidence that this evening's 4-hour plus concert featured 41-tracks over two sets and an extended encore.
The first half was marked by many songs and stories about life, love and loss with an emphasis placed on recalling Gill's father and his role in influencing the young guitar player and the impact the song "Old Shep" had on the boy growing up. The man Vince Gill then pointed out his longtime partner Amy Grant sitting entranced and enamored in the front row of the balcony before wrapping up the first set with "When My Amy Prays" dedicated to her who he called his "favorite person in the whole world".
Describing how he has always written - and explaining that he recently experienced an especially prolific period even for him - Vince opened the second half with a full record's worth of material as 10 new compelling compositions were debuted for the attentive audience. The first was an ode to Nashville's long-standing greasy spoon known as "Brown's Diner Bar" whose renowned cheeseburgers have kept Vince fed for decades. "Benny's Song" was a dedication to Gill's recently passed oldest friend who also served as his guitar tech for 35 years and the heartfelt tribute had the singer in tears at its completion.
Some of the new songs even seemed as though they might have been written for Gill's tenure in The Eagles - the legendary band he was drafted into after the 2016 death of their iconic co-founder Glenn Frey. That group has yet to utilize the charismatic and capable frontman in the studio and it would be a shame if that never happens even as their retirement seemingly looms. But, Vince's incredible 11-piece band - especially the three guitar attack that was presented on stage - at times did seem to mirror the influence and current configuration of The Eagles. So, perhaps time will tell.
With the post-midnight conclusion this concert alone would have gone down in the Ryman's record books particularly for its extraordinary length and notable debut of a number of new songs. But, for Vince Gill and company - it was just one down, three to go. See if you can score a ticket to this one - it's likely that you won't regret it or soon forget it.
Set 1: One More Last Chance | Take Your Memory With You | Pocket Full of Gold | Tryin' to Get Over You | High Lonesome Sound | You and You Alone | Never Alone | No Future in the Past | Young Man's Town | If You Ever Have Forever in Mind | Feels Like Love | When Love Finds You | I Still Believe in You | Look at Us | When I Call Your Name | It's Hard to Kiss the Lips at Night That Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long | The Key to Life | When My Amy Prays |
Set 2: | Brown's Diner Bar | Hill People | Her Heart | Nobody Held Her Like Me | I Hope Everybody Lives to 100 | Benny's Song | Sometimes | Heroes | When a Soldier Dies | The Whole World | Next Big Thing | Sweet Thing | Guitar Slinger | Down to My Last Bad Habit | Ode to Billie Joe | Pretty Little Adriana | Go Rest High On That Mountain | What the Cowgirls Do | Oklahoma Borderline | Encore: | Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away | Whenever You Come Around | Liza Jane | I Gave You Everything I Had
Related Links:
For more information on VINCE GILL and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -
Vince Gill |
Ryman Auditorium
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