Lainey Wilson and Vince Gill joined forces for a moving performance of Gill’s “Go Rest High on That Mountain” during the 77th Emmy Awards on Sunday evening (Sept. 14). Their duet served as part of the show’s powerful In Memoriam segment.
Gill originally wrote the song in honor of the late Keith Whitley, however, the death of his brother inspired him to complete it. Released in August 1995, it features background vocals from Ricky Skaggs and Patty Loveless and has since become one of Gill’s most cherished songs.
Dressed in black, Wilson and Gill poured their emotion into the heart-wrenching ballad as photos of those we lost over the past year filled the screens behind them, including Julian McMahon, Valerie Mahaffey, Teri Garr, Gary Smith, Allan Blye, Terry Louise Fisher, David Duclon, Jonathan Kaplan, Ozzy Osbourne, Anne Burrell, Quincy Jones, and more. The pair held strong, not allowing their emotions to overcome them as they delivered a stunning and respectful tribute.
At the conclusion of the performance, they held hands and took a bow, leaving the audience in awe.
Ahead of the show, Gill opened up about the opportunity to share the stage with Wilson, telling Entertainment Tonight how much he’s enjoyed getting to know her.
“The song we’re singing is a song that I wrote about the passing of my brother 30 years ago or 32 years ago now, and it’s the 30th anniversary of that song and Laney’s just killing it out there,” he said. “She’s such a neat kid and just thrilled to death to get to honor some of these folks that I never knew, but the song might mean something to ’em.”
He later revealed that the Emmys producers had the idea of pairing them together for this special moment.
“Well, she sings her brains out, for one that helps, but it was the folks that put on the show that had the idea and I said, ‘man, I’m all for that. So it’s great getting to know her a little bit. She’s a great girl,” he shared.
The song just celebrated its 30th anniversary and to celebrate, Gill released a brand-new extended version featuring an additional verse. Now certified double platinum by the RIAA, the song has touched listeners around the globe for three decades. It earned Gill two GRAMMY Awards in 1996, for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song, a CMA Award for Song of the Year, and in 1997, BMI’s Most Performed Song honor.
Gill and Wilson weren’t the only country artists to appear at the Emmys. Reba McEntire joined Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the beloved sitcom The Golden Girls with a special performance of the iconic theme song, “Thank You for Being a Friend.”
