Vince Gill received the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award on Tuesday, September 22, during a ceremony at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The honor recognized Gill’s songwriting career, with performances of several of his songs preceding the presentation.

Rodney Crowell performed Gill’s 1993 No. 1 hit “One More Last Chance,” while Ashley McBryde sang “Hill People,” a song she co-wrote with Gill that appears on Secondhand Smoke, the second EP in his ongoing release series. Chris Stapleton, Ricky Skaggs, Sonya Issacs and Andrea Zonn closed the tribute with “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” drawing a standing ovation from the audience. Lisa Kristofferson presented the award and recalled that her late husband once described Gill’s voice as “clear as a bell and with the heart of an angel.” She also referenced Kris Kristofferson’s final appearance at the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022, when Gill held his friend’s hand as they entered the hall.

During his acceptance remarks, Gill thanked longtime producer Tony Brown and publisher and manager Jody Williams. He credited Brown with encouraging him to record “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and Williams with urging him to keep writing after his period of radio success had faded. Gill said the recent period has renewed his creative focus. “I think I’m writing my best songs now. I’ve got a brand-new fire in me and I’ve been writing songs with some great writers,” he said. Video messages also came from Crowell, Brown, Liz Rose, Bob DiPiero, Robert K. Oermann and former RCA Records executive Joe Galante.

The award comes during a busy year for Gill. He performed 35 solo shows over the summer, including a sold-out six-night run at the Ryman, while continuing to tour with the Eagles on The Long Goodbye Tour. Last October, after signing a lifetime deal with MCA, Gill announced 50 Years from Home, a year-long series of EPs marking 50 years since he left home to begin his career; the tenth installment was released recently. Over the past 12 months, he has also received the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award and the Ken Burns American Heritage Prize, while “Go Rest High On That Mountain” was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.