Vince Gill And Amy Grant Named Tennesseans Of The Year

Vince And Amy

THE TENNESSEAN has recognized MCA artist VINCE GILL and his wife, artist AMY GRANT, as the 2011 TENNESSEANS OF THE YEAR. THE TENNESSEAN listed charitable efforts like GRANT hosting the LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY tree-lighting for the local food bank, GILL and GRANT playing a fund-raiser show to battle depression and the two meeting MAKE-A-WISH kids before the couple’s annual CHRISTMAS concert as examples of why they should receive the award.

THE TENNESSEAN editorial board said, “AMY GRANT and VINCE GILL not only make a meaningful impact on the global stage through their music, but their philanthropy also helps people throughout TENNESSEE. Their years of charity work reached a crescendo in 2011, from ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL and AMERICAN RED CROSS to the MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE and many, many more causes. 

An awards presentation was held in NASHVILLE for GRANT and GILL, including a video presentation for the couple. The couple’s work was represented in a quilt given to them that featured the 60 nonprofits and organizations they have supported. 

“I loved everybody in that whole room. That’s how I felt. It made me so glad to have lived in the same town for all of my life,” GRANT said. “I knew we were not in NEW YORK or CHICAGO, because it was a whole room of people visiting, telling old stories, not in a rush.” 

GILL added, “I’m proud to be a part of that [philanthropic] community. I’m proud that there’s a whole side of NASHVILLE that doesn’t have anything to do with music at all that likes us.” 

Read more about the TENNESSEAN OF THE YEAR award here.

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