Chris Stapleton Leads Emotional ‘Go Rest High On That Mountain’ Tribute to Vince Gill
Vince Gill’s music was at the center of an emotional celebration at the 2026 Nashville Songwriter Awards, where Chris Stapleton joined Ricky Skaggs, Sonya Isaacs and Andrea Zonn for a moving performance of Gill’s beloved classic, “Go Rest High On That Mountain.”
The tribute came as Gill received the prestigious Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award during the ninth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday, September 22.
Presented by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the ceremony brought together songwriters and performers to recognize the people behind some of country music’s most enduring songs.
The Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award is NSAI’s highest honor. It recognizes a songwriter whose work has made a significant contribution to the American songbook and inspired the careers of others. Gill became the award’s eighth recipient, following previous honorees including Alabama, Alan Jackson, Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Loretta Lynn, Bill Anderson and Willie Nelson.
Chris Stapleton Performs One of Vince Gill’s Most Beloved Songs
The celebration for Gill unfolded through a series of performances of songs he had written.
Rodney Crowell performed “One More Last Chance,” Gill’s 1993 No. 1 hit, while Ashley McBryde delivered “Hill People,” a song she co-wrote with Gill.
Then came the evening’s closing tribute to Gill.
Stapleton took the stage alongside Ricky Skaggs, Sonya Isaacs and Andrea Zonn for “Go Rest High On That Mountain.” The performance earned a standing ovation from the Ryman Auditorium audience.
Skaggs’ presence carried an especially meaningful connection to the song. He sang backing vocals on the original recording, alongside Patty Loveless, when Gill recorded the song for his 1994 album When Love Finds You. For the awards ceremony, Skaggs also contributed a mandolin solo, while Zonn provided fiddle.
The combination brought together musicians connected to the song’s history with some of country music’s most prominent contemporary performers.
The Story Behind “Go Rest High On That Mountain”
“Go Rest High On That Mountain” has long been regarded as one of Gill’s signature songs, but its origins are rooted in personal loss.
Gill began writing the song after the 1989 death of country singer Keith Whitley. He did not finish it at that time. The death of his half-brother, Bob Coen, in 1993 ultimately prompted Gill to return to the unfinished song and complete it.
Gill recorded the song in 1994, and it later became one of his most enduring works. The song has since become closely associated with funerals and memorial services, while its emotional impact has extended far beyond its original release.
Its place in Gill’s legacy has only grown with time. In 2025, the song was certified double platinum, three decades after its original release, and Gill’s official site described it as one of the most significant and enduring songs in country music.
The Library of Congress also selected “Go Rest High On That Mountain” for preservation in the National Recording Registry in 2026, recognizing it among recordings considered culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.
A Special Moment for Vince Gill
The tribute was part of a broader celebration of Gill’s songwriting career.
According to NSAI, 42 individuals were honored during the September 22 ceremony, which also recognized Blake Pendergrass as Songwriter of the Year and Riley Green as Songwriter-Artist of the Year.
For Gill, however, the Lifetime Achievement Award carried a particularly personal significance because of the name attached to it.
Lisa Kristofferson presented the honor to Gill and shared a reflection on her late husband, Kris Kristofferson. She recalled Kristofferson describing Gill’s voice as “clear as a bell and with the heart of an angel.”
Gill appeared visibly moved by the evening’s tributes before taking the stage to accept the award. He embraced Lisa Kristofferson and spoke about his longtime connection with Kris Kristofferson.
“The fact that this honor bears his name will make it one of the greatest awards I’ve ever received,” Gill said.
The night ultimately brought together several generations of country music around the songs that helped define Gill’s remarkable career.
And with Stapleton, Skaggs, Isaacs and Zonn joining forces on “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” the ceremony closed its tribute to Gill with a song whose history is inseparable from loss, remembrance and the enduring power of his songwriting.