Vince Gill onstage at Caesars

Vince Gill played to a packed house Saturday night at Caesars. His wonderful 19-song set included plenty of fan favorites like “When I Call Your Name,” ‘One More Last Chance,” “Don’t Let Our Love Start Slipping Away,” “Oklahoma Borderline,” “Whenever You Come Around” and “Look at Us.” He also included songs from his wonderful box set These Days, including the incredible jazz balled “Faint of Heart,” another terrific ballad, “The Reason Why,” and from the country rock album, “Cowboy Up.”
A highlight was certainly his tribute to his late brother, “Go Rest High on That Mountain.”
It was surprising that Gill gets hecklers, but one fan in the front row wouldn’t shut up early on. There was also the guy who yelled, “Take it off,” a first coming from a guy, Gill suggested, earning a big laugh. He was also happy that fans were “pissed off” that country radio isn’t playing his music anymore.
If you’re a true Vince Gill fans and haven’t bought his 4-album set These Days, why not? It’s a career-defining achievement by one of the best country artists in the history of country & western music.

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.

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