VINCE GILL

• From Norman, Oklahoma.
• Seriously considered golf as a profession, but decided to play bluegrass instead.
• First band: Mountain Smoke (in high school). This band once opened for Pure Prairie League, a band he would later join.
• Age 18, joined the Bluegrass Alliance.
• Mid-70’s, joined Byron Berline’s and Sundance.
• Late-70’s, joined the country-rock band Pure Prairie League. While he was with that group, they had several #1 records, including “Let Me Love You Tonight.”
• 1984, became a solo artist (signed with RCA Records). First #1 hit: “When I Call Your Name.”
• 1990, co-hosted the first IBMA Awards Show (in Owensboro, Kentucky).
• 1992, became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
• 1991-2004, hosted the CMA awards.
• 1997, performed a tribute to Bill Monroe at the Grammy Awards.
• 1997, won IBMA award for Song of the Year for his song “High Lonesome Sound.”
• 2000, married singer Amy Grant.
• 2007, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
• 2008, won a Grammy (Best Country Album) for “These Days,” a 4-CD project which included the bluegrass album Little Brother: The Acoustic Record (MCA Nashville).
• As of 2014, he has won 20 Grammys, 18 Country Music Association Awards, one IBMA Award and is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.