Country singer-songwriter Vince Gill will be honored with the 2025 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 59th Annual CMA Awards, the Country Music Association announced on Monday.
The awards show is scheduled to air live on ABC on Nov. 19, streaming on Hulu the next day.
During the ceremony, Gill, 68, will take the stage of the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to accept the bullet-shaped trophy following a special tribute performance.
Country great George Strait took home the award in 2024, and other past honorees include Alan Jackson (2022), Loretta Lynn (2021), Charley Pride (2020), Kris Kristofferson (2019), Dolly Parton (2016), Johnny Cash (2015), Kenny Rogers (2013), and Willie Nelson (2012).
The trophy is given to artists who have gained global prominence through their performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy work, streaming numbers, record sales, and overall public representation.
“The artist receiving this award has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of the genre over the course of many years and has proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on fans and industry alike.”
Gill’s music career has spanned more than 50 years. He played in various bands throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, among them the Pure Prairie League and the Cherry Bombs. However, in 1983, he decided to forge a solo career, moving to Nashville after landing a music deal with RCA Records.
Two years later, he released his debut studio album, “The Things That Matter.” Since then, he’s put out more than a dozen records, including his 1989 award-winning breakthrough album, “When I Call Your Name.”
In 2009, he and his wife, singer-songwriter Amy Grant, co-founded Challenge America, a nonprofit organization that works to help military veterans and their families.
In a statement, Sarah Trahern, chief executive officer of the CMA, said Gill “embodies the very best of what country music stands for.”
“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,” she said.
“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.”