On This Day in 1998, Vince Gill Released His First No. 1 Album

On this day (August 11) in 1998, Vince Gill released his eighth studio album, The Key. Driven by the success of the hit lead single, “If You Ever Have Forever in Mind,” it peaked at the top of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart in late September, giving Gill his first and only No. 1 album to date.

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Gill started honing his craft long before he released his 1985 debut album, The Things That Matter. He got his first guitar when he was a child and was a member of Pure Prairie League from 1978 to 1982, appearing on four albums. Today, fans recognize him as one of country music’s foremost musicians and vocalists.

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While Gill has only sent one album and four singles to the top of the country charts in the United States, he has maintained consistent chart success throughout most of his career. For instance, all of his albums, with the exception of his debut, all of his solo albums have been top 40 hits on the country chart. Of those albums, only his sophomore release, The Way Back Home, missed the top 10. He has seen similar success on the country singles chart. All of his singles between 1984 and 2007 landed within the top 40. “What You Give Away,” a duet with Cheryl Crow from These Days, broke the streak when it peaked at No. 43.

Vince Gill on Creating Hit Songs

In short, Vince Gill is no stranger to making hit songs and albums. Last year, he joined Clint Black on Talking in Circles to talk about his life and career. During the conversation, he revealed the secret to making hit records.

“The key to great records is there’s something about great records that’s memorable,” he said. “Whether it’s a harmony part, a piano intro, or a great opening lyric. A lot of the best songs in the world have a great opening line. ‘He said I’ll love you ‘til I die,’ you know? Just on and on,” he explained. “You go back and look through so many of these great songs, and there’s a reason they get you right off the bat,” Gill added.

Then, he pointed to one of his songs, “When I Call Your Name.” Released in May 1990, the song peaked at No. 2 on the country chart, giving Gill the biggest hit of his solo career. “It was that piano intro from Barry Beckett. It all of a sudden had definition. The record was defined long before I started singing,” he explained, pointing out what he believes helped make the song a hit.

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