Vince Gill

June 21, 2025

Evans, GA

Columbia County Performing Arts Center

Review by Joseph Hett

Vince Gill: An Evening of Classic Country Warmth in Evans

On a warm summer night, the Columbia County Performing Arts Center buzzed with anticipation for “An Evening With Vince Gill.” At exactly 7:30 p.m., Vince Gill and his stellar nine-piece band stepped onto the stage, and what followed was a three-and-a-half-hour master class in country music performance and storytelling.

They opened with “One More Last Chance” and “You Better Think Twice,” delighting the capacity crowd.

Gill welcomed everyone, “It’s very nice to be here in the mecca of golf. Lifelong golfer – this boy right here. This is hallowed ground around here.” He continued, “Thanks for selling all the seats in the place. I heard we’re sold out tonight.”

He then introduced the cheating ballad “Pocket Full of Gold.”

Before paying tribute to Merle Haggard with “The Bottle Let Me Down” and Buck Owens with “Together Again,” Gill mentioned that as a young artist opening for other acts, if he ever made it big he had promised himself he would play as long as they would let him. “We don’t have an opening act because we like playing too much.”

While reflecting on the process of writing the song “Look at Us” with Max D. Barnes, Gill mentioned how “Chiseled in Stone” by Vern Gosdin (also co-written by Barnes) was the second saddest song of all time. Gill joked that “Old Shep” was probably the saddest song of all time. Throughout the night, Gill repeatedly referenced “Old Shep” in a playful manner.

Before “The Key to Life,” Gill spoke about his sarcastic father helping him learn guitar chords and how he taught him to drive.

Gill looked back on how “When I Call Your Name” changed his life. He then shared a several stories about getting recognized in public places. He also recounted a time when he met the hosts of Playboy TV’s “Night Calls.” They asked him what his biggest fantasy was, and he said, “To win The Masters.” Later, Gill revealed he has gotten to play Augusta National several times.

Since Gill has been touring extensively with the Eagles, this tour has helped him dust off his solo songs, he shared with the attentive audience. Speaking of his Eagles tenure, he quipped “I tell people it took 60 years for me to get a good gig.” While Gill did not perform any Eagles songs, he did end “Down to My Last Bad Habit” with the guitar licks from the Eagles classic “I Can’t Tell You Why.”

The fast-paced “Oklahoma Dust” really got everyone moving.

Gill’s only break came when he handed off the lead vocals to band members Jedd Hughes (“Loving You Is the Only Way to Fly”) and Wendy Moten (“Ode to Billie Joe”). Gill stayed onstage to take it all in.

Gill mentioned that his wife, Amy Grant, was born in Augusta before performing a song he wrote for her, “When My Amy Prays.”

After premiering several new songs, Gill launched into a string of classics to close the night. The timeless “Pretty Little Adriana” even featured a snippet of the Allman Brothers Band’s “Blue Sky.”

To close the main set, Gill performed “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” “What the Cowgirls Do” and “Oklahoma Borderline.”

After a quick break for the encore, Gill returned to perform “Whenever You Come Around,” “Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away” and “Little Liza Jane.”

This marathon of a show – around 40 songs – was well worth every minute. Gill’s masterful vocals and guitar playing along with genuine storytelling established a warm connection with the crowd. Gill delivered an evening that was heartfelt and gratifying on every level. On this rare solo tour, Gill is must-see.