Amy Grant's Lead Me On is now twenty years old, but it's not an out-of-date relic. In fact, the ambitious Christian rock collection has since become one of the genre's most celebrated projects, introducing the singer/songwriter to wider audiences on its subsequent arena tour. Fans of the album the first time around are no doubt experiencing déjà vu these days, starting with a twentieth anniversary re-release (featuring a remastered version of the original album, plus bonus tracks that include recordings from the 1989 tour), followed by a concert celebration that reunites Grant with many of original musicians from the classic album and tour. The month after that, Grant is teaming up with hubby Vince Gill for a Christmas tour in support of her newly released holiday best-of, The Christmas Collection (Sparrow).
Did you ever anticipate Lead Me On would have this lasting an impact twenty years down the road?
Amy Grant: Oh, no! I don't think I would've ever presumed to think that. I didn't work any harder on that record than any other. Life felt pretty magical at that time and was a little simpler then because I was just starting my family. [As you get older], life kind of gets layered up with every child and their commitments, so you have a little more head space for creativity [when you're just starting a family].
Why do you think the album has held up so well?
Grant: Sonically, aside from a little more echo than I would prefer, the songs were so honest from a production standpoint. I felt Brown [Bannister] was always trying to shy away from gimmicks or synthesized sounds, trying to capture very honest songs in the most organic and timeless way possible.
Looking back on the project, what over-arching message were you hoping to deliver?
Grant: Every album is just a collection of songs. I've never started a record saying, "What's the theme going to be?" It becomes what it is at the sum of its parts, and I felt those elements were honesty, imperfection, hope, and grit.
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