Vince Gill and Amy Grant have been named Tennesseans of the Year by The Tennessean.

In choosing the couple for the annual award, The Tennessean editorial board notes, “Amy Grant and Vince Gill not only make a meaningful impact on the global stage through their music, but their philanthropy also helps people throughout Tennessee.”

“Their years of charity work reached a crescendo in 2011, from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and American Red Cross to the Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee and many, many more causes.

Vince is especially known in Nashville for his philanthropic efforts for the Country Music Hall of Fame.

At the awards banquet in Nashville, the couple were presented with a quilt representing their good deeds from 60 non-profit organizations.  But Vince was visibly moved before the ceremony ever took place.

“At the beginning, Vince walked out and he was already crying after going through the well-wishers in the lobby,” foundation president Ellen Lehman said.

You can read more here.

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