Country music stars Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson shared the stage for the first time at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, delivering a heartfelt tribute during the In Memoriam segment. The ceremony took place on Sunday night (September 14) at The Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, celebrating the year’s most outstanding achievements in primetime television.

A Historic First-Time Collaboration

For this moving performance, Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson performed Gill’s timeless 1994 hit, “Go Rest High On That Mountain.”
Although Gill has performed this song countless times over the past three decades, this marked the first time he has sung it alongside Lainey Wilson—and also his first appearance at the Primetime Emmy Awards.

Wilson expressed her excitement before the show, sharing on social media:

“So looking forward to performing ‘Go Rest High On That Mountain’ with @vincegillofficial for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards.”

Their appearance was introduced by legendary actress Phylicia Rashad from The Cosby Show, whose emotional words and tribute to her late co-star Malcolm-Jamal Warner drew warm applause from the crowd.

 

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An Unforgettable Performance

Lainey Wilson appeared in a striking all-black outfit, while Vince Gill wore a sharp navy blue suit.
Gill opened the song with the first verse, then Wilson joined him in harmony on the chorus. She took the lead on the second verse, while Gill returned for the rarely heard third verse.

A live choir joined them for the powerful final chorus, while a screen behind them displayed images of industry legends who passed away this year. The touching moment brought many in the audience to tears.

Honoring Television’s Lost Legends

The In Memoriam segment honored numerous television professionals who passed away in the past year, including:

• Brandon Blackstock, talent manager and ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson

• Phil Robertson, founder of Duck Commander and star of Duck Dynasty

• Kris Kristofferson, country music icon

• Anne Burrell, Food Network personality

• Gene Hackman, Academy Award-winning actor

• Ozzy Osbourne, rock music legend

• Wayne Osmond, singer

• Lulu Roman, star of Hee Haw

• Brian Wilson, former Beach Boy

Not all names were shown on the broadcast, but the full list was published on the Emmys website.

Vince Gill Celebrates 30 Years of “Go Rest High On That Mountain”

The performance came just days after Vince Gill re-released “Go Rest High On That Mountain” to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
On September 12, Gill unveiled an extended version of the song that includes the rarely performed third verse.

Gill has said that adding this verse made the song feel complete at last. He first debuted the new lyrics at the Ryman Auditorium in 2019:

“You’re safely home in the arms of Jesus
Eternal life, my brother’s found
The day will come I know I’ll see him
In that sacred place, on that holy ground.”

Watch Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson’s emotional performance at the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards below.

This unforgettable moment united two generations of country music and paid tribute to those who left a lasting legacy in television and entertainment.