A Special Moment at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards took place on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at The Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The annual ceremony honors outstanding creative and technical achievements in primetime television.
One of the most emotional highlights of the night came during the In Memoriam segment, when country legends Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson performed together for the very first time.
Performing “Go Rest High on That Mountain”
Gill and Wilson shared the stage for an unforgettable rendition of Vince’s 1994 classic, “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” While Gill has performed the song many times over the past three decades, this was his first appearance at the Primetime Emmy Awards and the first time he sang with Lainey Wilson.
Introduced by actress Phylicia Rashad, who drew applause as she honored her late co-star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the pair set the tone for a moving tribute.
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Vince began with the opening verse.
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Lainey joined in on harmony for the chorus.
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Wilson took lead on the second verse, before Vince concluded with the rarely performed third verse of the song.
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A choir joined for the final chorus, while images of television industry figures who passed away over the past year were displayed on the screen behind them.
Wilson had teased the performance on social media, writing:
“So looking forward to performing ‘Go Rest High On That Mountain’ with @vincegillofficial for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards.”
Honoring Those We Lost
The Emmy Awards’ official In Memoriam segment honored producers, performers, editors, designers, and other industry professionals who died within the past year.
Among those remembered were:
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Brandon Blackstock, talent manager and ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson.
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Phil Robertson, patriarch of Duck Dynasty, who died in May at age 79.
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Kris Kristofferson, country music icon.
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Anne Burrell, Food Network personality.
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Gene Hackman, Academy Award-winning actor.
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Ozzy Osbourne, legendary rocker.
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Wayne Osmond, member of The Osmonds.
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Lulu Roman, Hee Haw star.
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Brian Wilson, co-founder of The Beach Boys.
While not all names appeared during the televised broadcast, the full list was posted on the Emmys’ official website.
The Song’s Lasting Legacy
Gill’s performance at the Emmys came just days after the release of the 30th anniversary extended version of “Go Rest High on That Mountain.”
Originally released in 1995, the song was inspired by the death of Gill’s brother, Bob Coen, and country singer Keith Whitley. It went on to win two Grammy Awards, including Best Country Song and Best Male Country Vocal Performance.
In September 2025, Gill released a new version of the song, featuring the third verse he added years later during live performances. The verse reflects themes of faith and redemption:
“You’re safely home in the arms of Jesus
Eternal life, my brother’s found
The day will come I know I’ll see him
In that sacred place, on that holy ground.”
Watch the Performance
Fans can now relive the emotional Emmy Awards tribute by watching Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson’s full performance below.