In 2013, Vince Gill and Patty Loveless performed “Go Rest High on That Mountain” at the funeral of country music legend George Jones.
The service took place at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, where thousands of mourners gathered to honor one of country music’s most respected singers.
Vince Gill had performed the song at memorial services many times before. He had written it years earlier, following two personal losses, and it had become one of his most recognized recordings.
This particular performance proved especially difficult.
As Vince Gill sang, his voice began to falter. At several points, he struggled to continue through his tears.
Patty Loveless, who was singing alongside him, carried the vocal passages when he could no longer manage them.
The performance received a standing ovation and remains one of the most widely remembered moments from George Jones’ funeral.
A Final Farewell to George Jones
George Jones died on April 26, 2013, at the age of 81. His death prompted tributes from musicians who had admired his work for decades, including many who considered him a personal friend.
His public funeral was held six days later. The ceremony lasted nearly three hours and included performances by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Brad Paisley and several other country artists.
Vince Gill had a particularly close relationship with George Jones. The two had performed together, and George had given Vince the nickname “Sweet Pea,” which Vince recalled during his remarks at the service.
Before singing, Vince Gill spoke about George Jones’ remarkable ability to communicate sadness through his music.
“George taught us how to sing with a broken heart,” he told the audience.
He then began “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” accompanied by Patty Loveless.
The Moment Vince Gill Could No Longer Sing
Vince Gill began the performance with his guitar, singing the opening verse in his familiar, restrained style.
His voice gradually became unsteady. When Patty Loveless joined him, the emotion became increasingly difficult for him to control.
At one point, Vince Gill was unable to complete his vocal part and stepped away from the microphone.
Patty continued singing, allowing the performance to proceed while he tried to regain his composure.
He remained onstage and played a guitar solo. During the instrumental passage, Patty approached him and offered a brief gesture of comfort.
The audience responded with visible emotion. Garth Brooks stood during the performance, and others followed until the congregation was on its feet.
Vince Gill eventually returned to the microphone, although his voice remained affected by tears.
Years later, he explained that there was a specific reason he had become so emotional.
Vince Gill Later Explained What Happened
In a 2023 interview published by the Country Music Association, Vince Gill discussed his long friendship with Patty Loveless and recalled the funeral performance.
According to Vince Gill, hearing Patty’s voice during the funeral was what caused him to lose control of his emotions.
He explained that they had not sung together for some time. When she joined him for the chorus, hearing her familiar voice again made an already emotional moment even more difficult for him.
Vince admitted that he found the experience difficult to watch afterward, particularly because his emotional reaction had occurred during a widely televised service.
Let’s watch the video of the tribute performance below:
The Personal History Behind “Go Rest High on That Mountain”
Vince Gill began writing “Go Rest High on That Mountain” after country singer Keith Whitley died in 1989.
He initially left the composition unfinished.
The death of his older half-brother, Bob Coen, in 1993 prompted him to return to the song and complete it.
The finished recording appeared on his 1994 album When Love Finds You, with harmony vocals from Patty Loveless and Ricky Skaggs. It was released as a single in 1995.
The song reached No. 14 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and subsequently received major recognition, including Grammy Awards for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song.
Over time, it became a frequent choice for funeral services, particularly among country music audiences.
Its lyrics address the death of someone who experienced hardship during life, followed by a religious expression of peace and rest.
That subject made the song especially appropriate for George Jones, whose career included well-documented personal difficulties as well as extraordinary musical success.