Vince Gill Dedicates “Go Rest High On That Mountain” To John Anderson In Moving Moment At The Opry
on
Vince Gill hosted a special performance at the Grand Ole Opry on Sunday, November 8.
The show celebrated the approaching CMA Awards, which will air on ABC on November 18. The Opry’s CMA-themed program featured performances from acts such as Lorrie Morgan, Jamey Johnson, Crystal Gayle, Deana Carter, Keith Secor, Molly Tuttle, and Gill himself.
These artists sang a selection of their own songs and some covers. Everything they performed had significance in CMA history, including Carter’s “Strawberry Wine” and Johnson’s “In Color,” both CMA Award-winning songs.
The evening also included several tributes to John Anderson, who passed away on October 21. Anderson was not an Opry member, but he played a major role in its history, as he served on the construction crew that built the current Opry House.
RELATED: ZACH TOP PERFORMS FAITHFUL COVER OF “SEMINOLE WIND,” HONORING THE LATE JOHN ANDERSON
A press release from the Opry states that Anderson was originally scheduled to perform there on November 8. But sadly, the evening turned into a tribute to him instead.
Jamey Johnson sang Anderson’s “Swingin’,” while Keith Secor and Molly Tuttle united to perform “Seminole Wind.” But Vince Gill may have delivered the most moving performance of the night.
Instead of covering an Anderson song, Gill sang one of his own, and it’s one that fans know well. He performed “Go Rest High on That Mountain.”
The Significance Behind Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain”
Gill started writing “Go Rest High” following fellow country artist Keith Whitley‘s death in 1989. Gill finished the song after his own brother, Bob, passed away in 1993 after suffering a heart attack.
Through the years, Gill has dedicated “Go Rest High” to a number of country music legends upon their passing. He’s performed the song in tribute to beloved figures such as George Jones and Loretta Lynn.
He also sang an updated version of the song, featuring a previously unrecorded third verse, during the Emmys’ “In Memoriam” segment in 2025. Lainey Wilson joined him onstage for that performance.
Needless to say, Gill’s “Go Rest High” tribute to Anderson carried a lot of emotional weight. We’re sure they wasn’t a dry eye in sight in the Opry House after he finished singing.
Watch the video below to witness Vince Gill’s “farewell” to John Anderson through his performance of “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” Don’t be surprised if you find yourself tearing up midway through the clip…
