Vince Gill returns to his bluegrass roots

“I love it with all my heart but I don’t play it all the time,” said Gill of the bluegrass. “I feel like it’s part of my past and I don’t want to lose sight of that.”

Although Gill is perhaps best known these days as a mainstream country artist, he has a rich history beyond that genre. The Oklahoma native began his career as part of Ricky Skaggs’ bluegrass band, Boone Creek, and went on from there with high-profile roles including the lead singer in the country rock band, Pure Prairie League. He also worked extensively with Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris before forging a solo career.

The musical trip back into bluegrass is a fond one for Gill who has lost several friends recently. “Threaten Me With Heaven,” the first single from his upcoming album “Guitar Slinger” has taken on special meaning since Gill co-wrote it with his wife Amy Grant and songwriters Will Owsley and Dillon O’Brian. Owsley committed suicide in 2010.

“It’s been tough,” said Gill of the deaths. “I try to look at the positive in all of these situations.”

For Gill, that often means celebrating others’ lives and triumphs in songs. That’s one reason why the songs on “Guitar Slinger,” which were each written by Gill, are often upbeat and plain fun.

“We are all going to go through [bad times] at some point in our lives,” said Gill. “I’m not immune to those feelings. But you’ve got to be positive…whenever you can.”

Certainly Gill has had a lot to celebrate in his own life lately. He recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and on August 13 he will be honored for his 20 years as a supporter and performer at the Grand Ole Opry.

Some of his many friends, including Emmylou Harris, Martina McBride, John Anderson and the Time Jumpers, and, of course, his wife Amy Grant, will perform in his honor.

“I’m a very lucky guy,” said Gill. “This feels as exciting to me as it did when I started out.”