A Country Legend Honored: Vince Gill Named Recipient of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.LC

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Key Points

Vince Gill will receive the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 CMA Awards.
Gill celebrates 50 years in music, winning 22 Grammys and releasing 20 albums.
‘Vince embodies the very best of what country music stands for,’ says CMA CEO Sarah Trahern.

Country music legend Vince Gill will mark a historic milestone at the 2025 CMA Awards, as the Country Music Association honors his five decades of influence with one of its highest distinctions. The Oklahoma native will receive the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during The 59th Annual CMA Awards, airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 19 on ABC, and streaming the next day on Hulu. A special tribute performance will accompany the honor.

“Vince embodies the very best of what country music stands for,” says CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern. “He’s a true trailblazer, one who gives back to the community, honors the roots of our genre, and even now, continues to share his talent with fans across the globe. As a Country Music Hall of Fame member, 18-time CMA Award winner and former 12-time CMA Awards host, he remains a vibrant force in our industry, and we’re honored to celebrate an artist whose influence is so deeply woven into the fabric of our format.”

A Record-Setting Legacy

Over the course of his career, Gill has received 22 Grammy Awards and 18 CMA Awards, including a record-setting four wins for Song of the Year — more than any artist in CMA history. He has released 20 albums, sold more than 30 million records, and charted 45 singles, showcasing both his unmistakable tenor and masterful guitar work.

He’s also been a key member of multiple iconic bands, including Pure Prairie League, The Cherry Bombs and The Time Jumpers. Since 2017, he’s toured as a member of the Eagles, continuing to honor the legacy of Glenn Frey while contributing his own distinct style to the band’s timeless catalog.

This year, Gill is also celebrating 50 years of performing with a special MCA Records project titled 50 Years from Home, a series of EPs chronicling his musical journey. The first installment, I Gave You Everything I Had, was released Oct. 17.

Honoring an Icon

The CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes artists whose careers have achieved national and international prominence while embodying the spirit of country music through artistry, philanthropy, and influence. Previous honorees include Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash (2015), Dolly Parton (2016), Kris Kristofferson (2019), Charley Pride (2020), Loretta Lynn (2021), Alan Jackson (2022) and George Strait (2024).

Gill was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2012, cementing his place among the genre’s most respected and beloved artists.

Earlier this fall, Gill helped launch the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s new exhibition The Grandest Stage: The Opry at 100, celebrating a century of the Grand Ole Opry. The exhibit—open through March 2027—features Gill’s personal Opry memorabilia alongside artifacts from Reba McEntire, Minnie Pearl, and Garth Brooks, highlighting his enduring role in shaping Nashville’s musical legacy.