GRAMMY Salute To Country Music To Honor Vince Gill

The Recording Academy will host its first-ever GRAMMY Salute To Country Music, honoring Vince Gill, presented by MasterCard on Wed., Sept. 9, 2009 at The Loveless Barn in Nashville. The star-studded tribute will feature Amy Grant, Alison Krauss, Steve Martin, Michael McDonald, and Brad Paisley, and will include a special presentation of The Recording Academy President’s Merit Award to 20-time GRAMMY® winner Gill in honor of his professional achievements and remarkable career. This inaugural event joins others in the “GRAMMY Salute To” series including GRAMMY Salute To Classical Music, Jazz, and Gospel Music, and marks the birth of a new Academy partnership with MasterCard Worldwide.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating country music in its epicenter of Nashville, and to honor a legendary artist like Vince Gill who has made an indelible mark on the genre,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “Our ‘Salute To’ series pays homage to and celebrates the work of extraordinary people and organizations that continue to ensure that these genres remain a vital part of our culture. This event shows our commitment to recognizing musical excellence all year long, and the impact it has on our lives everyday.”