Vince Gill Receives The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award During CMA Awards Nov. 19

Vince Gill has been named the recipient of the 2025 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Gill will accept the honor during “The 59th Annual CMA Awards,” which airs live on Nov. 19 from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC and next day on Hulu.

“Vince embodies the very best of what country music stands for,” states Sarah Trahern,CMA CEO in a release. “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.” 

Gill has released 20 albums, sold more than 30 million records and charted 45 singles. He’s highly regarded for his emotive songwriting, masterful guitar playing and unmistakable tenor, but he is equally admired for his warmth, humility and humor.

In addition to his lauded Country Music Hall of Fame solo career, Gill has been a member of several iconic bands, including Pure Prairie League, The Cherry Bombs and The Time Jumpers. In 2017, Gill was also invited to join the Eagles on tour and continues to lend his talents to the legendary group.

Performer for 50 years, Gill is honoring this career milestone by curating a series of EPs to be released on MCA Records. Thematically titled50 Years from Home, the first EP of the series, I Gave You Everything I Had, was released Oct. 17. 

Gill’s breakthrough came in 1990 with the release of “When I Call Your Name,” which earned both CMA Single and Song of the Year honors, along with a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male. Over the course of his career, he 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 Awards history. He also shares the record for most times hosting the CMA Awards, helming the show from 1992 through 2003.

The CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in country music. Previous recipients of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award 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).