Vince Gill Siblings: Getting to Know Bob and Gina Gill

Vince Gill, born Vincent Grant Gill on April 12, 1957, in Norman, Oklahoma, is an American country music singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.

Raised in a musically inclined family, Gill’s passion for music was evident from a young age, shaped by his father’s encouragement and the sounds of bluegrass, country, and rock and roll.

His career spans over four decades, during which he has transitioned from a sideman in various bands to a celebrated solo artist and a respected figure in the country music industry.

Gill’s ability to blend traditional country with elements of bluegrass and pop, along with his warm stage presence and wit, has made him a beloved icon in American music.

Siblings

Vince grew up with two siblings, Bob Gill and Gina Gill, and an elder maternal half-brother, Bob Coen, from his mother Jerene’s previous marriage.

Bob played a significant role in Gill’s early musical journey, sharing a love for guitar and performing together when Vince was just eight years old, notably covering the Beach Boys’ “Long Tall Texan” on a local radio show.

Tragically, Bob Coen’s life was altered by a severe car accident in 1968 at age 22, which left him with significant brain damage after a months-long coma.

Despite surviving, he struggled with memory loss and other challenges until his death from a heart attack in 1993 at age 48.

This loss profoundly impacted Vince, inspiring his iconic song “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” initially started after the death of country singer Keith Whitley in 1989 but completed as a tribute to his half-brother.

Career

Gill’s musical career began in his teens, playing in local bluegrass bands in Oklahoma, including Mountain Smoke, which gained a strong local following and once opened for Pure Prairie League and Kiss.

After high school, he moved to Louisville, Kentucky, to join the Bluegrass Alliance and later played with Ricky Skaggs’ Boone Creek and Byron Berline’s Sundance.

In 1979, Gill joined Pure Prairie League as lead singer, contributing to their hit “Let Me Love You Tonight.”

After leaving the band in 1981, he briefly played with Rodney Crowell’s Cherry Bombs before launching a solo career in 1983 with RCA Records.

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His early albums, like Turn Me Loose (1984), earned critical acclaim but modest commercial success. His breakthrough came in 1989 with When I Call Your Name on MCA Nashville, a double-platinum album that solidified his place in country music.

Throughout the 1990s, albums like Pocket Full of Gold (1991), I Still Believe in You (1992), and When Love Finds You (1994) produced multiple chart-topping hits, including “I Still Believe in You” and “One More Last Chance.”

Gill’s versatility as a guitarist led to session work with artists like Reba McEntire, Emmylou Harris, and Bonnie Raitt, and he has collaborated with legends like Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, and the Eagles, whom he joined on tour in 2017.

His 2006 four-disc set These Days showcased his range across country, folk, and contemporary styles, while his 2019 album Okie reflected deeply personal themes.

Accolades

Gill has won 22 Grammy Awards, more than any other male country artist, with victories spanning from 1990 to 2020 for his singing, songwriting, producing, and instrumental work.

His Grammy wins include Best Country Song for “When I Call Your Name” (1990) and Best Male Country Vocal Performance for “Go Rest High on That Mountain” (1996).

The Country Music Association (CMA) has awarded him 18 times, including two Entertainer of the Year titles (1993, 1994) and five consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year awards (1991–1995), a record unmatched by any other artist.

Gill is the only songwriter to win CMA Song of the Year four times for tracks like “I Still Believe in You” and “Go Rest High on That Mountain.”

The Academy of Country Music has bestowed eight awards, including the Home Depot Humanitarian Award and the Career Achievement Award.

In 2005, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, followed by the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

In 2012, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next to his wife, Amy Grant, and in 2014, he earned the BMI Icon Award for his songwriting.

Gill’s philanthropy, including his All for the Hall initiative for the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Vinny Pro-Celebrity Golf Invitational, led to the Professional Golfers Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2003.