Vince Gill's Wife Asks for Divorce

Singer-songwriter Janis Gill wants to end 17 years of marriage

By Jeff B. Copeland Apr 18, 1997 1:00 AMTags
Janis Gill, 43, has filed for divorce from country superstar Vince Gill, 40, in Franklin, Tennessee, after 17 years of marriage, citing irreconciable differences. The country world had been buzzing with rumors for some time that they'd already separated. She also asked for custody of their 14-year-old daughter, Jenny.

Janis is a well-known performer and songwriter in her own right; she and sister Kristine Arnold tour as the Sweethearts of the Rodeo. The couple met playing the club scene in Los Angeles in the late 1970s.

Until today, Vince seemed to have had everything going for him since his first big solo hit, "When I Call Your Name" in 1990. He's won 17 Country Music Association awards, including two for Entertainer of the Year. At this year's ceremony, which he also hosted, Gill took home two trophies for writing the Song of the Year, "Go Rest High on That Mountain," and teaming with Dolly Parton on the Vocal Event of the Year, their rendition of Parton's "I Will Always Love You."

Gill wrote his 1992 hit "I Still Believe in You" after an argument with his wife. At least that time she gave him, as another of his tunes goes, "One More Last Chance."