Brandi Carlile & Patty Loveless Honor Vince Gill at CMA Awards Tribute
Brandi Carlile & Patty Loveless Honor Vince Gill at CMA Awards Tribute
Vince Gill receives the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award as Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless deliver a moving tribute, with George Strait introducing him.
In one of the most touching moments of the CMA Awards, Brandi Carlile sang a tender version of Vince Gill’s 1989 ballad "When I Call Your Name" to pay tribute to Gill, the recipient of this year's Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Gill himself knew it. Cameras captured the Oklahoma singer, songwriter, and guitarist watching raptly from the audience, just on the brink of tears. After Carlile and Loveless’s stellar performance, surprise guest George Strait took the stage to introduce Gill, who claimed that in the history of the award he is "the only one that’s won…that’s never smoked any weed." He also paid tribute to the man the award is named after: Willie Nelson. "What I admire most about him is his willingness to include his family. He calls his band 'family.' Man, that’s a great way to live," Gill said.
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Cover image source: Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless Pay Tribute to Vince Gill at 2025 CMA Awards 🔗
