When it comes to handing out marriage advice, Vince Gill leans pragmatic. The “One More Last Chance” hitmaker dryly quipped that frequent travel is the key to his successful marriage with Christian singer Amy Grant. However, the “nicest guy in Nashville” certainly has his romantic moments. The power couple dished on their first meeting during a recent interview with People magazine.
Christmas Music Brought Vince Gill and Amy Grant Together
The 22-time Grammy Award began filming the holiday special Christmas with Vince Gill in 1993. That same year, he invited Christian pop artist Amy Grant to perform with him.
“I just walked into the rehearsal space, and Vince came over and put his arm around and said, ‘Hey, unknit that brow. It’s going to be OK,’” Grant recalled. “I remember saying, ‘Wow, thank you for saying that.’
Fresh off her chart-topping 1992 hit “Baby Baby,” Grant had already carved out a niche for herself in the Christmas music realm. So Gill was probably only half joking when he told People that they invited her to help boost ratings.
However, “I just remember the smile,” said the “When I Call Your Name” hitmaker. “That’s all I can remember… It was a staggering smile that stopped me.”
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The Song Vince Wrote For Amy
Later, Vince Gill recalled, that smile came up again during a songwriting session with frequent collaborator Pete Wasner.
“I said, ‘Let’s write a song about Amy Grant’s smile,’” the 18-time CMA Award winner explained. “He said, ‘Do you even know her?’ I said, ‘Not very well, but she’s sure got a great smile.’”
That song became “Whenever You Come Around,” the lead single from Gill’s 1994 album When Love Finds You. Peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, Grant still remembers the first time she heard “Whenever You Come Around.”
“He played that song and all I could think was, ‘Gah, lucky girl,’” the six-time Grammy Award winner said.
The pair married in March 2000 and have one daughter, Corrinna. Watch Vince Gill perform the song he wrote about his wife’s “staggering smile” below.
