CMA Awards: Vince Gill Named 2025 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Vince Gill will receive the 2025 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during the 59th Annual CMA Awards, airing live Nov. 19 on ABC from Nashville.

The show, taking place at the Bridgestone Arena and available for streaming on Hulu the following day, will also feature a tribute performance to Gill.

The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to an artist “who has attained the highest degree of recognition in country music” and has “achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, streaming numbers, record sales and public representation at the highest level.” Artists also are chosen by their impact on and contribution to country music over the course of many years. Past recipients include  Nelson himself (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash (2015), Dolly Parton (2016), Kris Kristofferson (2019), Charley Pride (2020), Loretta Lynn (2021), Alan Jackson (2022) and George Strait (2024). 

“Vince embodies the very best of what Country Music stands for,” CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said. “He’s a true trailblazer, one who gives back to the community, honors the roots of our genre, and even now, continues to share his talent with fans across the globe. As a Country Music Hall of Fame member, 18-time CMA Award winner and former 12-time CMA Awards host, he remains a vibrant force in our industry, and we’re honored to celebrate an artist whose influence is so deeply woven into the fabric of our format.”

Gill has released more than 20 albums, with more than 30 million records sold, and charted 45 singles. Gill, who has been performing for 50 years, is honoring this career milestone by curating a series of EPs to be released on MCA Records over the course of a year. Thematically titled50 Years from Home, the first EP of the series, I Gave You Everything I Had, was released Oct. 17.

He also has been a member of bands including Pure Prairie League, The Cherry Bombs, and The Time Jumpers and in 2017 joined The Eagles on tour and continues to lend his talents to the band.

Gill’s accolades also include 22 Grammy Awards. He also holds the record for most CMA song of the year wins with four, more than any other artist. He also has hosted the CMA Awards a record-tying four times. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame five years later.

The 59th annual CMA Awards will be hosted by Lainey Wilson.