On Tuesday, September 22, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) held its ninth annual Nashville Songwriters Awards at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
The evening brought together some of country music’s most respected songwriters and artists, with legendary singer-songwriter Vince Gill receiving one of the night’s most prestigious honors: the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award.
According to NSAI, the award recognizes a songwriter whose work has made a significant contribution to the American songbook while inspiring the careers of other artists.
To celebrate Gill’s remarkable career and the impact he has had on country music, Chris Stapleton took the stage for a deeply moving performance of one of Gill’s most beloved songs, “Go Rest High On That Mountain.”
Chris Stapleton Performs “Go Rest High On That Mountain” for Vince Gill
“Go Rest High On That Mountain” remains one of the most enduring songs in Vince Gill’s remarkable catalog.
Gill first recorded the song in 1994 for his album When Love Finds You. The emotional ballad was partly inspired by the death of Gill’s half-brother, Bob Coen, who passed away from a heart attack in 1993.
However, the song’s origins stretch back even further. Gill began writing it following the 1989 death of country singer Keith Whitley, who died at just 34 years old.
Over the years, “Go Rest High On That Mountain” has taken on an even greater meaning. The song has become a familiar choice for funerals, memorial services, and tributes honoring those who have passed away.
So, hearing Stapleton perform the song while Gill was being honored made the moment particularly powerful.
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Stapleton was joined onstage by Ricky Skaggs, who has a special connection to the song himself. Skaggs appeared on Gill’s original 1994 studio recording, contributing backing vocals alongside Patty Loveless.
During Tuesday night’s performance at the Ryman, Skaggs added another beautiful touch to the song with a moving mandolin solo, complemented by the fiddle playing of Andrea Zonn.
The combination created a heartfelt tribute to Gill and the incredible legacy he has built through his songwriting and music.
As Stapleton sang the words of one of Gill’s most cherished songs, the performance served as a fitting reminder of why “Go Rest High On That Mountain” continues to resonate with audiences decades after it was first recorded.
For an artist being honored for his lifetime of contributions to songwriting, there could hardly have been a more meaningful musical tribute.