Lowndes County GaArchives Newspapers.....Vince Gill Just Wants To Be Part Of The Band ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robert Latimer Hurst November 8, 2003 VINCE GILL JUST WANTS TO BE PART OF THE BAND A Love For Singing And Playing Keeps Country Vocalist High On Music Charts By Robert Latimer Hurst Mike Ross, reviewing a recent Vince Gill performance, questioned folk values exhibited by these country musicians, who are, in a real sense, folklorist for the current scene: "You'll often see them posing with loyal wife, kids and dog, saying wholesome things about how swell marriage is --and, then, they turn around and write (or at least sing) these heartfelt she-done-me-wrong songs riddled with pain and loneliness. What gives?" Ross, centering on Gill, points out how this popular vocalist a few years back split up with his wife, a vocalist in the duo of "Sweethearts of the Rodeo," Janis Gill, citing "irreconcilable differences" and how his song, "If It Weren't for Him," might have contributed to the Rosanne Cash-Rodney Crowell break-up. But, after all, concedes Ross, "Vince Gill is one of the greatest purveyors of hurtin' songs in the business." Recently, this writer had a chance to hear these "mournful tunes" at Valdosta's Wild Adventures when Mr. Gill appeared in concert. I found him to be a most personable young man, who, perhaps, like many of us is fighting a weight problem. It seems to be subject he doesn't discuss, according to press reports. His relaxed and high-pitched personality showed through as he played to this crowd gathered to hear their country favorite. Titled by some as the "King of Nashville Tenors," Vince Gill, who is now married to Christian-pop singer Amy Grant, still maintains that virtue that endears him to his many fans; he believes strongly in family values, although reading his song titles might contradict this statement: "Let Me Love You Tonight," "Until the Best Comes Along," "Turn Me Loose," "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away," "The Strings That Tie You Down" and so on. Writing for the Ottawa Sun, Rick Overall underscores that Gill's fame lies not so much in his talent or even his showmanship but in his ability to know his audience. Vince Gill does not rely on production tricks nor a dynamic stage presence; he focuses on the music, his band and his sound. "It's Gill's breathtaking vocals and (Eric) Clapton-esque guitar solos, and you've got a package that can't be beat," declares Overall. Perhaps, the reviewer adds, one can better understand Vince Gill if that person realized the deep tie that he had with the music of the late Bill Monroe. Monroe, credited with writing the bible of bluegrass, served as a mentor to this disciple and, now, evangelist of this music. "After Bill died, it suddenly dawned on me when I picked up an instrument and started playing again that what I played was by Bill Monroe." Even though he appears sensitive, or maybe somewhat apprehensive, when talking about any new projects, such as a recent album, he can always rely on trademark songs that made him a star, "Liza Jane" and "I Still Believe in You," among others. Some critics maintain that he is guided, perhaps too much, by "narrow radio formats," that he might feel uncomfortable with that new territory and desires that "what works before" routine. His audience, enjoying whatever he selects, apparently still seems to favor those "Classic Gill" melodies, including "Pretty Little Adriana," "World's Apart," "A Little More Love" and "Given More Time." Gill himself admits, "People (have) a tendency to think there (is) a lot of sameness in my records." But another side also shows through this Oklahoma songster. He tells that he really enjoys those songs, such as "Down to New Orleans" and "Tell Me, Lover," in which "I can show off my guitar playing. Those were most fun because I love really deep-rooted funky music. I like `Little Feat.' I like `Steely Dan.' I like Sonny Landreth. I like New Orleans. I like all that stuff...," quotes one of Gill's biographers. For example, "Tell Me, Lover" is based on Landreth's "Congo Square." Landreth, who works out of New Orleans and Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, upon hearing of Gill's recognition of him, returned the compliment by titling the country singer a "musician's musician." Signing with RCA records in 1983, Vince Gill played a second-fiddle to his former wife, Janis, who was already climbing the charts as a member of the popular duo "Sweethearts of the Rodeo." His song, "Everybody's Sweetheart," about this period in his life is still remembered by some. But his career went into another gear when his first album appeared in 1991. Now, as he tours to admiring followers in concert after concert, he still cautions himself with "You're expecting it to stop once you've kind of gotten up there for a little while. You're having a nice run, but you think, `OK, when is this think going to be over. And I'm not scared about that reception of a new record, I'm just curious." And, maybe, Vince Gill still adheres to his old philosophy: "All I ever wanted to do was play and sing like people I respect -- Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris. It's about interplay between musicians. I just feel like part of the band."