Vince Gill will receive the 2025 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during the 59th CMA Awards this month, the Country Music Association revealed on Monday (November 10).
Gill will accept the honor following a tribute performance; however, the performers have not been announced as of publication time. The Oklahoma-born artist has released 20 albums and sold millions of records. Gill has played with the Eagles, Pure Prairie League, The Cherry Bombs and The Time Jumpers, to name a few, over the course of his decades-long career. The Country Music Hall of Fame member and Grand Ole Opry member is “known for his heartfelt songwriting, masterful guitar playing, and unmistakable tenor voice, (and) he is equally admired for the warmth, humility, and quiet humor that have endeared him to fans and artists alike,” states a press release issued Monday morning.
“Vince embodies the very best of what Country Music stands for,” CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern said in a statement. “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 joins a growing group of iconic artists to receive the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Recipients 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), according to the press release. The Country Music Association states that the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award “is awarded to an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in Country Music. The award recognizes those who have achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, streaming numbers, record sales, and public representation at the highest level. 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.”
The initial lineup of performers at the 59th CMA Awards includes BigXthaPlug, Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Shaboozey, Zach Top, Tucker Wetmore, Lainey Wilson and Stephen Wilson Jr. Lainey Wilson is also set to host the show for her second consecutive year, and this time, she’s hosting solo (making her the first female artist to solo host the CMAs since Reba McEntire hosted in the 1990s). Find the full list of CMA Award nominees here.
The Country Music Association announced this spring that the 59th CMA Awards will air live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on November 19. The show will be available to stream the following day on Hulu.