Country Fans Deem Vince Gill “The Greatest Living Artist” as Tony Brown Tribute Duet With Ashley McBryde Wows

Vince Gill and Ashley McBryde are honoring an icon. At the 17th ACM Honors the singers teamed up for a performance of “When I Call Your Name.” While the show was filmed back in August at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, it didn’t air on Merit Street until Sept. 24.

The duo’s time onstage was in honor of Tony Brown, the producer behind Gill’s 1990 track and one of two 2024 ACM Icon Award recipients. (Trisha Yearwood also took home the special trophy.)

Gill and McBryde performed a perfect rendition of the song, with the latter singer taking on Patty Lovelace’s original part.

“Good job, Ash,” Gill proclaimed in the middle of the emotional performance.

The crowd certainly agreed. After the pair wrapped up the song, the audience erupted in cheers as the two singers hugged on stage.

Fans could not get enough of the beautiful performance, with many taking to the comments to share their opinion and their special connection to Gill as an artist.

“Vince Gill will always be one of my all time favorites, one fan wrote. “I grew up on Merle, Jones, Conway, Waylon, Don Williams, Charlie rich, the list goes on forever, and Vince sits here still to this day sounding as good as ever and is one of the last around who came up working around all the guys I just mentioned. At 22 years old, I know I’ll forever enjoy seeing Vince play and sing a song the way he does.”

Another fan added “Wow, that was awesome! Vince sounded as good as ever! Great harmonization by Ashley too! Vince is the greatest living artist!”

Ashley McBryde Had Both Nerves and Excitement Before the Performance

American Songwriter spoke to McBryde before the big performance, and she discussed her mixed emotions going into the show.

“We’re looking at the icon status here,” McBryde said of Gill and Brown. “Me doing Patty Loveless is overwhelming and nerve-wracking, but it is also a really good feeling that Vince said, ‘I want Ashley to sing that.’ I’m glad he trusts me to do it.”

McBryde also praised Gill for his soothing nature, telling AS, “He’s so calm all the time. He makes it impossible to be nervous.”

Featured Image by Paul A. Hebert/Shutterstock

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