Vince Gill Debuts Extended Version of “Go Rest High on That Mountain” at Emmys

Lead Country star Vince Gill released an extended three-verse version of his Grammy-winning ballad “Go Rest High on That Mountain” and performed it with Lainey Wilson during the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards’ In Memoriam segment in Los Angeles on September 14, 2025.

Nut Graf Marking the song’s 30th anniversary, Gill’s new verse-previously only heard live-completes the tribute to loss and hope that has become a staple at funerals and memorials nationwide. The simultaneous release and televised performance underscore the song’s enduring emotional resonance and Gill’s status as a country music icon.

Anniversary Release Honors Legacy

To commemorate thirty years since the original 1995 release, Gill dropped the extended track on streaming platforms, adding a heartfelt third verse that ties the narrative together with imagery of reunion in heaven. Using the original soundbed, the updated recording preserves the familiar ache of pedal steel and Gill’s tender tenor while delivering the long-awaited closing lines about faith and reunion on “that holy ground”.

Emmy Performance Brings Country to Hollywood

On Sunday evening at the Peacock Theater, Gill joined rising star Lainey Wilson to deliver a stirring rendition during television’s most somber moment-the In Memoriam tribute. Their duet introduced millions of viewers beyond the country audience to the song’s newly unveiled verse, transforming a solemn segment into a unifying testament of music’s power to heal.

Song’s Origin and Impact

Originally inspired by the death of Gill’s friend Keith Whitley and later completed after his brother Bob’s passing, “Go Rest High on That Mountain” earned Gill two Grammys and a CMA Award in the mid-1990s. Over three decades, it has been embraced across religious and secular memorials for its blend of grief, solace, and hope.

Chart Success and Industry Accolades

In tandem with the anniversary release, the Recording Industry Association of America certified the single double-platinum, reflecting continued sales and streams that affirm the track’s place in the country canon. Gill’s decision to revisit and expand the song highlights both artistic risk and deep personal conviction.

Touring and Future Plans

Fresh off a sold-out summer tour that concluded with acclaimed performances at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Gill will rejoin the Eagles for their Las Vegas Sphere residency. Fans can anticipate further collaborations and new music from the 22-time Grammy winner as he continues to bridge the worlds of country tradition and contemporary performance.