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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZGILL, Vince(b 12 April '57, Norman OK) Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist; one of modern country music's biggest stars with more CMA awards than any other performer. Started in his teens playing bluegrass; joined group Mountain Smoke, opened for rock band Pure Prairie League '73; moved to Louisville KY to join Bluegrass Alliance, with Sam Bush, Dan Crary, etc; then to LA to join Byron Berline's Sundance '77; next he joined Pure Prairie League as lead guitarist and vocalist '79--82, six of his songs incl. on Firin' Up; he sang lead on the band's biggest hit 'Let Me Love You Tonight', pop top ten '80. At this time he met Janis Oliver, half of Sweethearts of the Rodeo, and they married '80. Linked up with Rodney Crowell's Cherry Bombs as guitarist and harmony singer; moved to Nashville '84, signed with RCA and cut mini-album Turn Me Loose with guests Rosanne Cash, Crowell and the Sweethearts, but set no sales records. Scored several country hits '84--9, but his career was overshadowed by the Sweethearts: he became a house-husband, a golf fanatic and sessioned on recordings by Conway Twitty, Rosanne Cash, Vern Gosdin, Dan Fogelberg, etc. Left RCA, signed with MCA '89 and after faltering with first single, 'Never Alone', made a breakthrough with 'Oklahoma Swing' (duet with Reba McEntire) and huge hit with 'When I Call Your Name', with harmony by Patty Loveless: named CMA Single of the Year '90, Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance. Then he was on a roll, with hits 'Look At Us' '91, 'I Still Believe In You' '92, 'The Heart Won't Lie' (duet with McEntire) and 'One More Last Chance' both '93, 'Tryin' To Get Over You' '94, 'High Lonesome Sound' '96. He appeared on the million-selling Common Thread: The Songs Of The Eagles tribute album '93, was invited to join Dire Straits '92 but declined; swept the board at CMA Awards '92--4, was co- host of the ceremonies '92 and full host '93--5; won Grammys '90--93 and CMA Awards as both Entertainer and Male Vocalist for '93--4. Though commercially not in the same league as Garth Brooks, Gill is firmly established as country music's premier act, his good looks and easy-going personality endearing him to fans and Nashville's execs. Albums incl. The Things That Matter '85 and The Way Back Home '87 on RCA; When I Call Your Name '89, Pocket Full Of Gold '91, I Still Believe In You '92, When Love Finds You '94, Souvenirs '95, High Lonesome Sound '96, all on MCA. |