Vince Gill chose a deeply personal song to remember John Anderson during a special night at the Grand Ole Opry.

On Sunday, November 8, Gill performed “Go Rest High on That Mountain” as part of the Opry’s celebration of the CMA Awards’ 60th anniversary. Rather than covering one of Anderson’s hits, he turned to a song of his own — one that has become a powerful farewell to some of country music’s most beloved figures.

Anderson died on October 21, aged 71. He had originally been scheduled to perform at the event, but the evening instead became an opportunity for fellow artists to honor his life and legacy.

The Grand Ole Opry Turns Its CMA Celebration Into a Tribute to John Anderson

Hosted by Gill, the November 8 show brought together several artists whose music has helped shape CMA Awards history. The lineup included Lorrie Morgan, Jamey Johnson, Crystal Gayle, Deana Carter, Ketch Secor, Molly Tuttle and Gill himself.

Throughout the evening, performers revisited songs with significant connections to the awards. Deana Carter sang her CMA-winning hit “Strawberry Wine,” while Jamey Johnson performed “In Color,” another song recognized by the association.

The program also featured several tributes to Anderson, whose connection to the Opry went far beyond his performances there. Although he was never an official Opry member, Anderson played an important role in the venue’s history: he was part of the construction crew that built the current Grand Ole Opry House.

According to an Opry press release, Anderson had been scheduled to appear on November 8. His death changed the purpose of that appearance, turning it into a night of remembrance.

Jamey Johnson honored him with a performance of “Swingin’,” while Ketch Secor and Molly Tuttle joined forces for “Seminole Wind.”

Gill, however, chose a different way to pay tribute.

Why “Go Rest High on That Mountain” Carries Such Personal Meaning

“Go Rest High on That Mountain” is more than one of Vince Gill’s best-known songs. Its origins are tied to two personal losses that shaped his life.

Gill began writing the song after the death of fellow country singer Keith Whitley in 1989. He did not complete it until 1993, following the death of his older brother, Bob, from a heart attack.

Those experiences gave the song a deeply personal foundation. Over the years, Gill has also performed it in memory of other country music legends, including George Jones and Loretta Lynn.

Its role as a tribute continued in 2025, when Gill performed an updated version during the Emmy Awards’ In Memoriam segment. That rendition included a previously unrecorded third verse, with Lainey Wilson joining him onstage.

Given the song’s history, Gill’s decision to dedicate it to Anderson carried particular significance. Rather than simply revisiting one of Anderson’s recordings, he used a song closely connected to grief, remembrance and saying goodbye.

A Farewell Through Music

Gill’s performance became one of the evening’s most emotional moments, bringing the Opry’s tribute to Anderson to a deeply personal close.

Anderson had been part of the building’s story long before he became one of the voices heard on its stage. On this night, fellow musicians gathered there to remember both his music and the place he held in country music.

Watch Vince Gill perform “Go Rest High on That Mountain” in honor of John Anderson in the video below.