In one of the most touching moments of the entire CMA Awards , Brandi Carlile sang a tender version of Vince Gill ’s 1989 ballad “When I Call Your Name” to pay tribute to Gill, the recipient of this year’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Carlile alone would have been a highlight, but then Patty Loveless emerged and the performance reached an even higher level.

Gill himself knew it. Cameras captured the Oklahoma singer, songwriter, and guitarist watching raptly from the audience, just on the brink of tears.

After Carlile and Loveless’s stellar performance, surprise guest George Strait took the stage to introduce Gill, who claimed that in the history of the award he is “the only one that’s won…that’s never smoked any weed.” He also paid tribute to the man the award is nam

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