At The 15th ACM Honors, Vince Gill Captivated The Audience With A Rare, Soul-Stirring Performance Of “You Don’t Want To Love A Man Like Me,” A Mid-Tempo, Heart-Wrenching Ballad He Co-Wrote With Chris Stapleton. The 18-Time Grammy Winner’s Raw, Emotional Delivery Left The Room Silent And Teary-Eyed, As He Paid Tribute To His Friend Stapleton, Who Was Honored With The Merle Haggard Spirit Award That Night. This Incredible, Bittersweet Moment Was A True Testament To The Deep Bond Between The Two Country Legends.

At the 15th ACM Honors in Nashville, country music’s finest gathered to honor the genre’s legacy, with one standout moment from 18-time Grammy winner Vince Gill. As the night unfolded, Gill took the stage for a rare treat—a heartfelt tribute to his friend Chris Stapleton, unveiling the first song they ever co-wrote, a mid-tempo ballad titled “You Don’t Want to Love a Man Like Me.” With a playful chuckle, Gill admitted, “You’ve never heard it, and the truth is, neither one of us know it very well,” as he introduced the song to the eager audience.

The performance was a moving highlight in an evening filled with unforgettable moments, especially as Chris Stapleton was honored with the prestigious Merle Haggard Spirit Award for his incredible contributions to the genre. Stapleton, in turn, expressed admiration for Gill’s influence, recalling how he had once tried to sing like him before finding his own voice.

Hosted by Carly Pearce, the ceremony also featured performances by Trace Adkins, Kelsea Ballerini, Morgan Wallen, and Brooks & Dunn, among others. But it was Gill’s raw, emotional rendition of “You Don’t Want to Love a Man Like Me” that left the crowd in awe, a bittersweet ballad still waiting to be discovered. Watch the unforgettable performance below—you’ll be surprised by the power of this timeless song.