When Vince Gill joined the Eagles last month for his first rehearsal with the storied band, ahead of the group’s two reunion shows at July festival gigs in New York and L.A., the country singer-guitarist had to pinch himself. “It was a surreal experience,” he says, sitting on a couch in his home studio in Nashville, his 21 Grammys and vast guitar collection behind him. “Don’s there, Timothy is there and I’m singing these songs. It was an amazing gift.”

Gill talked recently with Rolling Stone about the honor of singing with The Eagles, his friendship with Glenn Frey, getting to know Don Henley and more. Read the complete interview here.

Photo Credit: Glenn Frey, Flipboard