A Chat With Vince Gill
Vince Gill performs at Caesars June 13.
I had a chance to talk with country great Vince Gill, for a story in the next issue of AC Weekly. He was just as nice on the phone (with that adorable giggle of his) as you would expect. While you will have to wait to read the entire interview online next Thursday, June 11, I’ve given you a sneak preview here. Tickets are still available for his show at Caesars on June 13.
In your long career, you’ve seen so many changes in country music and what’s popular. Is country music and country radio in a good place right now?
It’s not my favorite era. There are some neat records being made, great, talented people, but there’s not as much country music as I like. I love modern music, I love pop music, but not at the expense of my country music. It’s done this many times [changed directions]. I don’t worry about it — the music always comes back around. At the same time you can’t make young people be what they don’t want to be. Artists are going to record the kind of songs they like. The artists of today didn’t hear Buck Owens growing up, didn’t hear Ray Price.
What was your inspiration for doing a 4-CD set of new music with These Days?
I wanted to do it and that’s what mattered the most. If you can’t move yourself with something, you certainly can’t move anyone else. This is what I’ve loved; this is what I learned over the years. I love jazz so I got Diana Krall [the song “Faint of Heart”]. I worked with Del McCoury and sounded like I’m from the mountains of Kentucky. I was trying to be authentic [in all the genres]. With this album you can put on that romantic record, and it stays in that world. You can put on the bluegrass record. That was the beauty of making it.
What can fans expect at your show, and is your song set different when you are playing in a New Jersey casino rather than down South?
I don’t think so. I show up and do what I do. I’ve been coming up there for so long, I have as big a fan base in the northeast as I do anywhere in the country.
Tags: country music, Vince Gill
June 10th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Vince I was to yours and Amy`s performance when I lived in S.C.. It was a Christmas show I enjoted it a lot. I missed your solo performance when you performed at the Crystal Palace. Your tickets were sold out before I had a chance to get mine.
I wish you could get back to the Crystal Grand before I pass on as I have termennal cancer. I don`t know how long I have, but so far I`ve mad it past three months of the two months to at the most one year. But some times doctors are wrong. I`m hoping this is true and I can make it longer. To travel for me is not easy so to the Crystal Grand is even a chalenge for me.
I hope their is a way you can get back their so I can get tickets to come to another show of yours.
You are one of the best performers that I like their are others but to me you make your songs from the heart.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Hello Vince!
I love you! Need I say more!! I went to many of your concerts, one in Calgary back in 1997 when I lived there and at least twice at Casino Rama in Orillia, Ontario. You are the best! You love what you do and it shows. You’re a great entertainer and I can’t wait to see you again.
Please think about coming to Kingston, Ontario, we have a new venue called the K-Rock centre and you’d be a hit. Kingston has a small airport so you can fly in from Toronto! Kingston is 3 hours east of Toronto, and 2 hours south west of Ottawa, the nation’s capital!
We’d love to see you!
P.S. I had my picture taken with you the last time you played at Casino Rama and I have copies of it everywhere (office, home and wallet!) I’m your biggest fan!
Love, Lise
June 14th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I saw your show on Sat June 13th at Ceasers Atlantic city, and was thrilled to be able to talk to you and be apart of the Meet and Greet after the Show! Thank you for giving us yet another unforgettable and fantastic concert full of great songs.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:55 am
“I don’t worry about it—the music always comes back around.” I sure hope Vince is right. A lot of the “teeny bopper” stuff that’s coming out of Nashville sounds like an entirely different genre. It’s cute, but it is not country! Carrie, Taylor, etc., they are cute and they have some talent, but neither of them has the talent of a Vince, George S., Alan…. They may someday grow to deserve that sort of acknowledgment, but not yet. I actually felt embarrassed for Carrie when she accepted the ETOY. The poor little ignorant thing actually appeared to believe that she deserved to be on a same list as George S., Kenny….. It was embarrassing.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Vince, I just saw you at the Birchmere. You are one of the best songwriters of all time. Your band and other vocalists on stage create a sound that is long-lost but deeply appreciated. Your group is fantastic and your voice is better than ever. I truly appreciate the music you write and the way you play it. Each instrument can be heard and the blend of harmonies and tones is unmatchable — anywhere.
Love your music, your show, your songs. You are the best in my book and I hope others see and hear what I do. Thanks for the music!
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Vince couldn’t we have a songbook of your songs on “These days” really would like to have it.