CMT News

Vince Gill Gets Back to Basics for Fall Tour

After touring in 2006 and 2007 with a 17-piece band, Vince Gill will be backed by only two musicians for a tour that kicks off Aug. 18 in Wellington, Ohio. Billed as "A Special Acoustic Evening With Vince Gill," the 19-time Grammy winner will be performing with pianist Pete Wasner and percussionist Billy Thomas. Both are longtime members of Gill's band. Gill says he got the idea for the acoustic shows after attending a James Taylor concert. "It was a kind of one-man band show, with just him, a piano player and all those great songs," Gill said. "I really enjoyed watching it, and I knew I would enjoy performing in that setting as well. So I'm going to tour basically the same way -- pared down and informal." The tour ends in late November with a two-night stand at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Va.