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Grammy nomination carries special meaning for Gill

Thursday, December 1, 2011 – Vince Gill received a Grammy nomination for his single Threaten Me With Heaven for Best Country Song.

The song was not a hit for Gill, but it had special meaning to him. He co-wrote the song with his wife, Amy Grant, Dillon O'Brian and Will Owsley. Gill is appreciative of the nomination because it serves as a lasting tribute to Owsley, who took his own life since the song was recorded for Gill's new album, "Guitar Slinger."

"I couldn't be more thrilled for my late friend Will," Gill said. "This would have meant the world to him."

Gill says the song has a profound impact on him because of Owsley's death. "In my lifetime, Go Rest High On That Mountain has been the song that helped a lot of people through their grief," he said. "I think this one will in turn hopefully do the same thing. It's a powerful, powerful song."

This is the 41st career Grammy nomination for Gill, who has won 20 Grammys.

Gill and Grant will begin their popular Christmas tour, The Twelve Days of Christmas - Amy Grant & Vince Gill, on Dec. 7 in Baltimore.

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Guitar Slinger CD review - Guitar Slinger
It's hard to believe, considering what Vince Gill has accomplished over the past three decades, but the triple threat singer-songwriter-guitar picker may be in the most creative, productive stretch of his lengthy, remarkable career. Five years after Gill's Grammy-winning 4-album 43-song box set "These Days," his latest 12-song release again finds Gill tapping every ounce of his immense talents. The title song sums up his reputation as an ax man worthy of playing Eric »»»
These Days CD review - These Days
To put this release into perspective, it would take Axl Rose the better half of a century to issue the same amount of material. Fortunately, Vince Gill is about as prolific as they come these days, and this daring four-disc release only is further proof of that. Each disc is divvied up depending on his mood, with the opening "Working On A Big Chill" album being "The Rockin' Record." And this album sets things off right with the lovely mid-tempo and groovy title track. »»»
Next Big Thing
Vince Gill has nothing to be bitter about in the face of his declining success. His mantle groans with over a dozen Grammys and a boatload of CMA statues, and then there's the matter of 22 million in sales over the course of his career. If the massive hits are fewer and farther between, it's onlynatural in an industry that's always looking toward a youthful fire to stokeits furnace. And that's essentially the message that Gill sends with The Next Big Thing. On the choogling roadhouse romp of the »»»
Editorial: Walking the talk – When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: McGraw has plenty of fight left – Despite the fact that Tim McGraw is five years sober, fit as a triathlete and touring behind a number one album, he is still in an unenviable position. As he approaches 50, McGraw has to stay a step ahead of the current crop of young country hunks with TV shows, cross format radio airplay and wider appeal. But as he proved at First Niagara's... »»»
Concert Review: Steve Earle doesn't rest (on laurels) – If you didn't realize Steve Earle had a new disc out, "The Low Highway," it would have been no problem realizing that quite and quickly. That was because Earle started the two-hour show with three straight tracks from "The Low Highway," and he would not be done for the night. The title track of was a midtempo effort... »»»
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