On a night meant to celebrate 100 years of the Grand Ole Opry, Vince Gill reminded everyone why his name is spoken softly, with respect. When he stepped forward to sing “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” the room changed. No big introduction. No showmanship. Just grief, carried carefully. He dedicated the song to his mother and his late brother, and suddenly the celebration turned inward. People stopped clapping. Artists lowered their heads. You could feel the silence breathing. In that moment, the Opry wasn’t about history or milestones. It was about why this place still matters — because it makes room for pain, too.

The biggest names in country music gathered on March 19 to honor a truly historic milestone: the 100th anniversary of the . What began as a modest radio broadcast in 1925 has grown into one of the most influential and beloved institutions in the history of country music.

As the Opry’s popularity soared over the decades, it quickly outgrew one venue after another. In 1974, the show found its permanent home at the iconic , a 4,400-seat concert hall designed to give the legendary program room to expand, evolve, and welcome generations of artists and fans.

Opry 100: A Night to Remember

Opry 100 was broadcast live from the famed Opry House in , Tennessee. The celebration was hosted by , and the evening featured a star-studded lineup of more than two dozen beloved artists.

Legendary performers including , , , , , and all took the stage to honor the Opry’s extraordinary legacy.

Additional performances came from the Opry’s former home, the historic . Artists such as , , , and delivered special performances from the legendary venue.

Vince Gill’s Enduring Opry Legacy

Few artists are as deeply woven into the fabric of the Grand Ole Opry as Vince Gill. A multitalented musician and songwriter, Gill has been an Opry member for more than 30 years. He made his Opry debut on June 29, 1989, and was officially inducted just two years later, on August 10, 1991.

Although Gill had spent more than a decade performing as a bluegrass artist, his major breakthrough came with his 1989 solo album When I Call Your Name. The title track climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart the following year and featured backing vocals from .

During his Opry induction, a visibly emotional 34-year-old Gill performed “When I Call Your Name,” a moment that has since become one of the most requested live performances of his career.

“Go Rest High On That Mountain”: A Powerful Tribute

As part of the evening’s deeply moving “In Memoriam” segment, Vince Gill delivered a stirring performance of “Go Rest High On That Mountain.” The song, one of the most emotional in country music history, was written following the death of fellow country star in 1989 and was completed years later after the passing of Gill’s brother, Bob.

Gill was joined onstage by , who provided backing vocals on the original recording. and a choir made up of fellow Opry members completed the powerful vocal ensemble.

Before the performance, Gill shared a personal dedication, noting that his mother will turn 100 this year — the same age as the Grand Ole Opry. “This song is about her son,” he said, a line that resonated deeply with the audience.

As Gill sang, an emotional slideshow played behind him, honoring beloved country artists who have passed, including , , , , and many others. Audience members were visibly moved, with tears flowing throughout the venue.

The performance stood as one of the most powerful moments of the Opry 100 celebration — a reminder of the genre’s rich history, its sense of family, and the lasting emotional connection between artists and fans.

Watch Vince Gill perform “Go Rest High On That Mountain” with Ricky Skaggs at Opry 100 below: