“I’m taking a page from Willie Nelson,” says the veteran country star.
Vince Gill released his first album,The Things That Matter, nearly 35 years ago.
His dance card also continues to be jam-packed.
Credit: John Shearer
Hell beplayingHotel Californiafront to backas part of his side hustle as an adjunct member of the Eagles.
(Gill also appears on Crows excellent new albumThreads, out August 30.)
Hell jam with Eric Clapton and a slew of other shredders at ClaptonsCrossroads Festivalin September in Dallas.
MCA Nashville
How prolific hes been at making records is staggering, given his age.
I just feel like theres so much music inside me, I want to get it out.
Theres an intimate, contemplative, singer-songwriter sensibility to the album.
There arent a lot of uptempo tracks.
A Letter To My Mama is 18 years old.
Amy and I had just married, and we had just had [daughter] Corrina.
I said, Well, I dont know.
She goes, Well,promiseme that you will record that song for your mom before its too late.
My moms 93 and still around, so I did.
It felt good to fulfill a promise to an old friend.
I keep those to myself, but they were priceless.
Theres a song on there about sexual abuse.
Theres a song on there about racism and equality.
The next couple of songs are about this.
The next couple of songs are both about Amy.
So, it does flow in a unique way and there are just little pockets of somewhat similar topics.
[Laughs]Thats awesome.
No, I only stood up to my dad one time, and it didnt go well.
Once again, I like the history of great murder ballads.
Yeah, bluegrass had em.
I dont know, its pretty heavy-handed, but you better start caring about something at some point.
You let them boys out of the trap, theyll show you a good time, those musicians.
I mean, its a pretty heavy song, but I go back to Merle Haggard.
And then all of a sudden, thats a different light.
Everybody to some degree probably takes their freedom for granted in this country.
Its like, good God, in the first line, youre already done.
It just doesnt get any more real than that.
Im not much on fluff.
Ive had those songs.
They move me the most.
I always want to be moved by music more than uplifted and oh yeehaw!
Your support for younger artists never seems to wane.
The great Charlie Worsham contributes toOkie.
In 20 years, youll remember the great records that were made in this generation.
I have a go at love them all.
Thats what I know.
The Eagles continue to play shows and that experience seems like its been gratifying for you.
I think thats what I bring to the table is a little bit of a light heart.
Are you excited for theHotel Californiashows?Yeah, its just hysterical.
I mean, I would be sitting there going, Oh, I know this song.
Oh hell, Implayingthis song!
