Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Vince Gill was born on April 12, 1957, in Norman, Oklahoma—not 1975 as commonly misstated. He is the son of J. Stanley Gill, a federal judge and part-time musician, and Jerene Gill. Raised in a musically inclined household, Vince learned to play the guitar and banjo from his father. By high school, he had also picked up the fiddle, dobro, mandolin, and bass, showcasing his developing talent as a multi-instrumentalist.

While attending high school, Gill joined the local band Mountain Smoke, which gained regional popularity and eventually opened for Pure Prairie League. Although he considered a career in professional golf—his favorite sport—music ultimately became his life’s path. After graduating in 1975, Gill moved to Louisville, Kentucky, to join the band Bluegrass Alliance, and later played with Boone Creek alongside Ricky Skaggs. He subsequently relocated to Los Angeles to join fiddler Byron Berline’s country-rock band, Sundance.

Personal Life and Family

Vince Gill has been married twice. His first marriage was to Janis Oliver of the country duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo. The couple married on April 12, 1980, and had one daughter together before divorcing on June 30, 1998, after 18 years of marriage.

On March 10, 2000, Gill married contemporary Christian singer Amy Grant. The two had met in 1993 while still married to their respective spouses, but maintained a platonic friendship until their marriages ended. They welcomed their daughter, Corrina Grant Gill, on March 12, 2001.

Pure Prairie League and Early Career

Gill’s professional music career took a significant step forward in 1979 when he became the lead singer and guitarist for Pure Prairie League. He joined the band after accompanying a friend to an audition, which unexpectedly led to his hiring. Gill fronted the band during a key period, contributing vocals to their 1980 hit single “Let Me Love You Tonight” from the album Can’t Hold Back.

Successful Solo Career and Awards

In 1983, Vince Gill launched his solo career, which quickly gained momentum thanks to his warm tenor voice and skillful musicianship. Over the years, he has released more than twenty studio albums and charted over 40 singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Notable solo hits include “When I Call Your Name,” “I Still Believe in You,” and “Go Rest High on That Mountain.”

Gill's solo work has earned him both critical acclaim and commercial success, with record sales exceeding 24 million albums. His contributions to the genre have been recognized with numerous accolades, including 20 Grammy Awards and 18 Country Music Association Awards. He was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and honored by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 1997.

Early in his career, Gill had the opportunity to join the rock band Dire Straits, but declined the offer to focus on his emerging solo path in country music. His decision to prioritize artistic independence helped shape his enduring legacy as one of country music’s most respected performers.