“This Is About Her Son”: Vince Gill Honors His 100-Year-Old Mother with Tearful Tribute at Opry 100

The Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary was packed with unforgettable performances, but none touched hearts quite like Vince Gill’s emotional rendition of “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” On March 19, 2025, during the special televised celebration of the Opry’s centennial, Gill took the stage and delivered a moment that fans — and fellow artists — will never forget.

“This is about her son…”

Before strumming the first chord, Vince paused, his voice filled with emotion. He turned to the audience and said:

“I want you to think about someone you’ve lost. This one is for my mother — she turns 100 this year. This is about her son.”

In just a few words, he set the stage for a deeply personal and soul-stirring tribute, and as the music began, the atmosphere in the room shifted — quiet, reverent, and heavy with meaning.

 A Song Rooted in Grief and Love

“Go Rest High on That Mountain” has long been one of country music’s most beloved anthems of loss and remembrance. Gill began writing the song after the death of his friend Keith Whitley in 1989, but only finished it years later after losing his own brother, Bob Gill, in 1993.

The lyrics, filled with grace and grief, took on new weight in this performance — this time sung for his centenarian mother, who has endured the unthinkable: the loss of her son.

🎶 A Trio That Moved the Nation

Vince was joined by fellow Opry legends Ricky Skaggs and Sonya Isaacs, whose harmonies elevated the performance to something sacred. Their voices blended beautifully, amplifying the emotion in every line. The song also served as the soundtrack to the evening’s “In Memoriam” segment, paying tribute to past Opry members who had passed on — making the performance even more powerful.

The audience sat in silence, visibly moved. And when the final note rang out, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

More Than Music — A Legacy of Heart

Vince Gill’s relationship with the Opry is rooted in more than music. Since his debut in 1989 and official induction in 1991, he’s not only graced its stage countless times — he’s mentored others, supported younger artists, and carried the spirit of the Opry forward with humility and heart.

In fact, when offered his very first Opry appearance, Gill declined — because he had promised to play guitar at his daughter Jenny’s elementary school talent show. That moment, small to some, speaks volumes about who Vince Gill truly is: a man of integrity, family, and unwavering love.

A Defining Moment in Opry History

At Opry 100, Vince Gill gave more than a performance — he gave a piece of his heart. His tribute to his mother and late brother reminded everyone watching why country music matters: it tells our stories, it honors our pain, and it brings us together in moments that matter most.

It wasn’t just a song.
It was a legacy, a prayer, a thank-you — wrapped in melody and truth.

 

And that, more than anything, is what made it the most unforgettable moment of the night.