You couldn’t ask for a better spokesperson for the home of country music than Vince Gill. The multi-Grammy winner has long been an advocate for Nashville, and Music City now plans to thank him for his hard work in contributing to the success of the city’s tourism and music industry over the past few decades.

Announced via press release, Gill will be the third recipient of the E.W. “Bud” Wendell Award, Nashville’s top hospitality honor.

“There is no better ambassador to represent the diversity of music that is thriving in Music City than a musician who can go from traditional country to bluegrass to Western swing to gospel to just about any kind of musical style with the ease that Vince does,” says Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. Board Chair Ken Levitan.

In addition to his musical virtuosity, Gill has also been heavily involved in Nashville’s growth. In the early 1990s, he was the only musician to serve on a committee that chose the design for Bridgestone Arena. A dedicated Nashville Predators fan, Gill was also named the “Mayor of Smashville” during the 2016 NHL All-Star Game, held in Nashville.

And the hits keep coming for Gill: He recent released his first album since 2011. Titled Down to My Last Bad Habit, the project features collaborations between Gill and Ashley Monroe, Little Big Town and Cam. MORE…