Vince Gill, Amy Grant Unleash Spectacular Talent During Ryman Christmas Tradition

Amy Grant and Vince Gill. Photo: Hallmark

What most artists would promote as a residency, Amy Grant and Vince Gill call a holiday tradition.

Twelve shows for 2018 count down the 12 days of Christmas for the superstar husband and wife duo, which has added two dates from the previous year to meet demand of their Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium outing.

If you’ve forgot just how talented the hometown stars actually are, enter Grant’s songwriting and Gill’s mesmerizing tenor.

Sharing the stage as a couple nearly the whole night, the two sang individually for a majority of the set, including Grant’s co-written powerhouse holiday tunes, “Tennessee Christmas” “Breath Of Heaven (Mary’s Song)” and “Christmas Hymn.” With grace, Grant ushered the audience through the evening with Gill a few feet away.

By himself, Gill performing the appropriately registered soul master tune from Donny Hathaway, “This Christmas,” and a reconfigured evening highlight in “Do You Hear What I Hear.” He also stunned the crowd with an original, heartfelt non-holiday song he expects to release with his longtime recording home, MCA Nashville, titled “When My Amy Prays.” Gill debuted the song at CRS in 2017.

A family affair saw Gill’s daughter Jenny singing among the five-part background, highlighted prominently during Gill’s version of “O Holy Night.” Gill’s longtime friend and collaborator Rodney Crowell opened the show.

The final night of the engagement, Dec. 23, is sold out. Grant’s Hallmark holiday special, Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas, is airing throughout the season featuring the two, in addition to collaborator Michael W. Smith, Kellie Pickler and more.

Rodney Crowell Amy Grant, Vince Gill perform their 10 of 12 days of Christmas show the Ryman Auditorium on Dec. 19. Photo: Eric T. Parker/MusicRow