On This Day in 1991, Vince Gill Was Inducted into the Grand Ole Opry

Vince Gill had a career-defining day on Aug. 10, 1991. On this day 34 years ago, the country singer was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

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At his ceremony, Gill was inducted by Roy Acuff, a country music pioneer who died the following year. That evening, Gill honored Acuff by singing “When I Call Your Name,” which was the late singer’s favorite song of his, according to MTV News.

On the 10 year anniversary of his induction, Gill noted the significance of the Opry. He praised the Opry for how it allows new talent interact with their idols.

“The opportunity to sit and have Roy Acuff tell me war stories from 40 or 50 years ago on the road was priceless,” he said. “To grieve with people, to grieve with their families, to sing a little bit with Jimmy Dickens, to record some with Hank Locklin, to sit around and talk golf with Charlie Walker and to write a song or two with Bill Anderson—that’s what being there has brought me.”

That’s why, Gill explained, he never understood why some inductees opt not to come back at perform at the Opry.

“If you’ve been out there working 120 shows and you get a weekend off, do you really want to play again? You can’t fault a guy for not wanting to, and I don’t. I’m not finger pointing,” he said. “All I’ve said is, it’d be great if they’d come out.”

Over the years, Gill certainly took every chance he had to appear at the Opry. In fact, just seven years after his induction, Gill marked his 100th performance on the Opry stage.

Vince Gill’s Storied Career

It’s no surprise that Gill was inducted into Opry. Throughout his career, Gill has released 18 LPs, won 22 GRAMMYs, eight ACMs, and 18 CMA awards.

Gill was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Country Music Hall of Fame two years later.

He was honored with star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012.

Over the years, Gill had nine songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and five No. 1s on the country chart.

He has performed or recorded with artists including Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, Sting, and George Jones.

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