You Have the Power…Know How to Use It, Inc. (YHTP) will honor Vince Gill at its 8th annual Powerhouse Awards luncheon, set for 11 AM on Tuesday, April 28, at City Winery in Nashville.
Vince’s uniquely eloquent personal approach to songwriting has earned him 21 Grammy Awards and a place in both the Nashville Songwriters and Country Music Halls of Fame. YHTP is honoring him for his advocacy for social change through personal conviction and song.
“We’re living in a time right now when finally people are having the courage to speak out about being abused, and I think that is beyond healthy and beyond beautiful-to see people finally have a voice for being wronged,” Gill said.
Many people know of Vince Gill’s support of causes and charitable events across Tennessee. However, we at YHTP especially appreciate how several of his songs (particularly recent material from his Okie album) speak to crime survivors and people dealing with complex grief. The words, melodies, and empathy reflected in his songs like “Pretty Little Adrianna” (written following the murder of Nashville preteen Adriane Dickerson in 1995), “Forever Changed” (a recent song about sexual abuse), and “Go Rest High on that Mountain” continue to help survivors heal.
“When Vince Gill creates music like ‘Go Rest High on That Mountain’ and ‘Forever Changed’, he speaks to those who have experienced deep loss,” said Andrea Conte, founder of YHTP.
“Our agency was founded to provide people who have experienced violent crime with a voice, something often lost in the criminal justice process,” Cathy Gurley, CEO of YHTP, said. “Survivors often find power and hope through music. Songs like ‘Forever Changed’, ‘Pretty Little Adriana’, and ‘Go Rest High on That Mountain’ do more than resonate with victims—they start public and private conversations on these issues, putting us that much closer to solutions.”
The Powerhouse Honor is the signature event for YHTP to honor a life committed to helping crime survivors regain their balance. Honorees have been in many fields including NFL all-stars, Olympians, civil rights activists, and journalists. The similarities among the honorees are that they each stepped out, often with great personal sacrifice, to right wrongs, when they did not have to. Past honorees include Torry Johnson, John Seigenthaler, Virginia Trimble, the founding YHTP board which included Steve Turner, Judy Bayer, Jody Folk, and Ron Samuels, Jurrell Casey, Demetria Kalodimos and Scott Hamilton.
Information about the event is available by contacting the YHTP office at 615-292-7027 or powerhouse@yhtp.org.
About YHTP
Founded in 1993 by former First Lady of Tennessee Andrea Conte, YHTP empowers people victimized by crime through education, advocacy, and understanding. It produces curriculum, programs, documentaries, and resource guides on contemporary crime issues for survivors. Programming is offered on topics such as domestic violence, sex trafficking, and victim impact. Presentations engage the community from elementary school age through seniors.
About Vince Gill
One of the most popular singers in modern country music, Vince Gill is famous for his top-notch songwriting, world-class guitar playing, and warm, soaring tenor, all wrapped up in a quick and easy wit. Gill has won 21 Grammy Awards and 18 CMA Awards, including Song of the Year four times—making him the most-awarded artist in that category in CMA history. He has received the prestigious BMI Icon Award and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. He is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry. In August 2012, Gill was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Gill was invited to be a touring member of the Eagles in 2017 and continues to join them on stage around the world. A recording artist for MCA Records, Gill’s current album is the critically acclaimed Okie.
For more information, contact:
Alison Auerbach, Alison Auerbach PR: alison@alisonauerbachpr.com
Vladimir Enlow, YHTP: vladimir.enlow@yhtp.org
Erin Morris Huttlinger, Morris Public Relations: erin@morrispr.biz