Vince Gill's older half-brother, Bob Coen, suffered a tragic fate. When Bob was 22 years old, he was involved in a car crash due to reckless driving under the influence, which resulted in serious brain damage and left him in a coma for several months. Although he survived the coma, Bob struggled with brain trauma and memory loss until his death in 1993 from a heart attack at the age of 48. This personal tragedy deeply affected Vince Gill and inspired him to complete his famous song "Go Rest High on That Mountain" in memory of his brother.

Bob Coen was also Vince Gill's first musical partner, and they shared a love for playing guitar from a young age. Despite Bob's difficulties after the accident, he spent his last years close to their mother and remained a significant influence in Vince's life, including his philanthropic work.