During a CMT Giants episode dedicated to Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood graced the stage alongside other top country artists to pay tribute. Underwood’s performance of “Go Rest High on That Mountain” was particularly poignant, evoking visible emotion from Gill himself.
Dressed in a flowing, soft blue gown, Underwood stood alone in a single spotlight, delivering a powerful rendition of the song that explores themes of loss, faith, and redemption. Her vocals began subtly and restrained during the opening verse, gradually intensifying as she approached a dramatic climax in the chorus.
As the performance unfolded, Underwood incorporated the new final verse introduced by Gill in 2019, adding an extra layer of emotional depth to the song. The culmination of her masterful delivery left Gill visibly moved, with moist eyes and a hand touching his face.
The history behind “Go Rest High on That Mountain” adds another layer to its emotional resonance. Vince Gill initially started writing the song after the death of Keith Whitley in 1989. Later, following the passing of Gill’s older brother, Bob, due to a heart attack four years later, he revisited the song, crafting the chorus and a second verse. The song eventually reached No. 14 on the charts and went on to receive accolades at the CMA and Grammy Awards, solidifying its place as one of Gill’s most iconic compositions.