Amy's Long and Winding Road

IT'S FRIDAY AFTERNOON, and Amy Grant's ten-year-old son, Matt, bursts home from school, itching to play drums with a drummer friend who's come over to give him a lesson. "Hey, Mom, is it alright?" Matt eagerly asks Amy, who's sitting on the flowered couch in their great room, strumming a guitar and smiling for TCW's photographer. "Sure, Matt, go ahead," Amy, grinning, replies.

Before long, the sound of drumrolls reverberates through the rambling, sixty-year-old farmhouse Amy, thirty-seven, shares with husband Gary Chapman, Matt, eight-year-old Millie, and five-year-old Sarah. "Today's his first real lesson," Amy explains. "He's loud and fast, but he's catching on!" Amy's delight in Matt's experimentation is an emotion this fellow mom instantly recognizes.

During the time I spent with Amy at Riverstone Farm, her sprawling 250-acre spread outside Nashville, it was obvious she's someone who treasures family and friends. Snapshots and framed portraits—Sarah among wildflowers, Gary on his Harley, assorted nieces and nephews—adorn walls, furniture, even her refrigerator. Millie's prescription bottle sits on a kitchen windowsill; kids' stickers plaster a computer monitor. I'm reminded of the common bond we share as busy wives and moms.


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Wild Adventures Spotlights Vince Gill and Amy Grant Tonight

Apr. 18--VALDOSTA -- Taking the Wild Adventures stage tonight, Vince Gill will reportedly perform his hits alone. Amy Grant will then perform her hits alone. By the show's end, reportedly, the husband and wife singers will perform a few songs together.

Gill has performed previously at Wild Adventures. Last time around, his wife visited the park with him, but Grant did not perform.

Though not available for interviews this go-round, Gill told The Valdosta Daily Times in a past interview that he enjoys his stardom, but it is his marriage to Amy Grant that is his life.

"We're crazy for each other," he said in 2005. "It is a great blessing to find that companionship.

"We started with a very real and healthy respect for each other as musicians and as we got to know each other as people that respect has only grown through the years. Amy and I both have 25- to 30-year careers behind us, too. So, we feel no pressure to be on the road all of the time or record as we would have earlier in our careers."

One of Gill's first professional gigs, back as a teen in the 1970s, was opening for KISS with his Oklahoma-based bluegrass band Mountain Smoke. KISS fans booed Vince Gill off the stage.

He has worked in music for decades with several bands, including Pure Prairie League, but his big breaks came at the end of the 1980s and early 1990s. Vince Gill's stardom came with hits like "Cinderella," "When I Call Your Name," "Pocket Full of Gold," "Take Your Memory," "I Still Believe in You," "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away," "The Heart Won't Lie," "No Future in the Past," "One More Last Chance," "Tryin' To Get Over You," "Whenever You Come Around," "What The Cowgirls Do," "When Love Finds You," "Which Bridge To Cross (Which Bridge To Burn)," "You'd Better Think Twice," "Worlds Apart," "Pretty Little Adriana," "A Little More Love," "You and You Alone," "If You Ever Have Forever in Mind," etc.

"I never planned on being a star," Gill said. "I dreamed of being a working musician. I wanted to be a great session musician. I wanted to work with some of the greatest stars and musicians, but I didn't dream of being a star. That's just been something extra."

Grant started as a contemporary Christian singer and became the first contemporary Christian artist to make platinum with "Age to Age." She switched to pop and had several Top 10 hits, including "Baby, Baby," "Every Heartbeat," and "That's What Love Is For."

Gill and Grant are the second Wild Adventures concert this year.

--SHOWTIME

Vince Gill and Amy Grant perform.

When: Show starts at 8 p.m. today.

Where: Wild Adventures, Old Clyattville Road.

Admission: Concert is included in the park's regular admission or as part of Passport.

More information: www.wildadventures.com

Christian Music News Source

Simply Complicated III

In stories I've read, it seems like you've been seeking forgiveness for your divorce. Does it seem that Christians have been slow to extend grace and forgiveness?

Grant: That depends who you're talking to. I just did an interview with a Christian radio station, and he asked, "How have you found people to be?" He was anticipating that my personal experience was that people have been very judgmental. But my experience is that people who have been through painful, difficult times are filled with compassion. And those compassionate people were the first to say, "Keep putting one foot in front of the other. God's merciful in Plan B. Don't give up. It was never about your goodness in the first place." Those were the people who filled the horizon of my world. Those were the people who said, "Hey let's just say a prayer right now," and they would lead me through the most merciful prayer that reminded me of God's love. I have not had one face-to-face lambasting from anybody.

Everybody's entitled to think whatever they want and to express that, but my personal day-to-day experience does not come into contact with any of those people. I'm not surrounded by "yes men"—far from it. But I think people are a lot braver to say things from their own soapbox. From a distance, it's easy to be judgmental and grandiose about your opinions. But none of us, face-to-face with a wounded human being, often chooses to be cruel. Do I think I've been the emotional piñata at a few parties? Maybe, but they were never parties that I was invited to.

On your new CD, the song "Eye to Eye" includes the line, "I'd like to figure out a way to leave a troubled past behind." Have you figured that out yet?

Grant: From a songwriting standpoint, I'd give an A to "Eye to Eye." But it was a group effort; Keith Thomas and I wrote the song together. So, don't read it as entirely autobiographical. The line you quoted, part of it is true, and part of it is poetic license.

"Happy," the opening song on Simple Things, begins with a line that includes the words "behind your eyes." Your last pop album was called Behind the Eyes. That's no coincidence, right?

Grant: It was just a coincidence. The decision to start the album with "Happy" was not my choice.

What was your first choice?

Grant: I wanted to start with "Out in the Open," because that was the first song written for the album. I wrote it in 1999, when I finally started being creative again, when I felt the first real experiences of forgiveness and moving past shame to something better. As for the sequencing of songs on the album, I have a circle of people I work with, and we all have an equal vote. Even though I wanted to start with "Out in the Open," I got voted down! (Laughs.)

There's a nice mix of good old-fashioned love songs and songs of faith. How do you decide the mix?

Grant: I want to hear both types of songs. I am a music lover. For me, the backdrop of half the experiences of life includes music. It never crosses my mind, This is what people want to hear. My thinking is, This is a song I wrote thinking about my niece. Or, This is an idea that came to me when I looked at Vince across the table the other night. Every one of those songs, even the two I didn't write, was so life appropriate, though not necessarily autobiographical.

What's it like working with Vince on your records?

Grant: We didn't work together much on this one, but it's always the easiest thing in the world. I'm a huge fan of his, and I think he's an incredible talent. On this record, he played mandolin on one song, and sang a duet and a background part. It was very different with Legacy (Word, 2002), when he was a producer, directing me. When he produced Legacy, he was very encouraging, very nurturing.

Do your kids dig your music?

Grant: None of them have listened to the new record. The only one I asked to listen to it was Millie, who's 13. I put it up in her room about four months ago and said, "Would you listen to this, and tell me your three least favorite songs?"

That's an interesting way to ask!

Grant: That's what I'm always curious about. But she never did listen! But we were in the car yesterday with a couple of my teenage nieces, and they have really connected with this record.

So, what are your kids listening to?

Grant: Matt (15) has diverse tastes. He loves Radiohead and Coldplay. He likes Incubus, but their language gets a little bit rough. He likes some harder stuff, like Linkin Park. Millie is more into soundtrack stuff. Sarah (10) leans more toward Dixie Chicks and Jo Dee Messina and country. Corinna is actually the only one who listens to my stuff, and it's because she's only 2! I put her to sleep every night to Legacy.

But around my house, the release of Simple Things is no big deal. The much bigger news around my house is that Sarah, who's entering fifth grade, is getting contact lenses. That's the big news bulletin in our home. But that's real life!


Source

Simply Complicated II

ChristianityToday.com interviewed Grant on the day before Simple Things released. Here's what she had to say:

This is your first pop album in six years. Some are calling it a comeback. Would you agree?

Grant: That depends on how well it does! (Laughs).

Even though it's titled Simple Things, your life has been anything but simple for the last few years. Why didn't you call it Complicated Things?

Grant: Because that's not how I feel. The hard times are several years behind me now. This is probably the most peaceful stretch of life I've known as an adult.

You've decided to focus on the simple things that bring you peace?

Grant: A good friend once described me to somebody by saying, "She's actually a very simple person." I wondered if I should have been insulted. I said, "Look, I'm highly educated. I've traveled the world. I work hard." But then I got to thinking, It's true. I'm a simple person. Some people tend to live from trauma to trauma, and that energizes them. I have a hectic schedule, but my mind seeks simplicity—like being in nature, a long bike ride, or sitting on the back porch. My son Matt, who's almost 16, is just a whirling dervish of energy. One plan is ending, and he's always making five more plans. But if I wake up and have a great cup of coffee first thing in the morning, I have pegged the Thrill Meter for the day. I'm not looking for the Next Big Thing.

Many Christian media kind of backed away from Amy Grant stories after your divorce. Many Christian radio stations and bookstores stopped carrying your music. And many of your fans were disappointed in what had happened in your personal life. Do you understand why people felt that way, and do you think it was fair?

Grant: I would rather not comment on any of that. Anybody who's ever gone through a hard time—any outsider's perception, no matter how much information they're given, they have no idea what the person's life is like. It's two different worlds. But my energy was focused on trying to find my way out of a deep, dark wood, and getting good help that I trusted, and being involved with the people I was responsible for and responsible to. Beyond that extended family/friends/church base, there was no energy to consider who was putting the ban on me. If somebody made that choice, I totally respect that. But I had no interest in trying to justify anything to anybody.

You didn't feel like you had to do any kind of damage control?

Grant: With so much public perception, that's like trying to put out a grass fire. And whenever I thought I was being dealt with unjustly, I would think, Some day, this is all going to play out in heaven, and everybody will see the full picture, and it won't even matter. That was always my thought process, just doing the things I felt I needed to do, and letting other people do what they felt they needed to do.


Source

MORE ARTISTS AND SPEAKERS ADDED TO GMA MUSIC WEEK 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – April 3, 2009 – Charlie Peacock, Amy Grant, Natalie Grant, Dan Haseltine, Barbara Mandrell and Rush of Fools are among the additional artists lining up to be a part of GMA Music Week April 18 to 22 in Nashville. They join a growing list of artists, speakers and industry leaders that are scheduled to participate in the five-day convention.

In addition, GMA previously announced that Brandon Heath, Jars of Clay, Mandisa, Bart Millard, Francesca Battistelli, Point of Grace, Diamond Rio, Group 1 Crew, Meredith Andrews, BarlowGirl, Remedy Drive, Mark Schultz and more will be a part of GMA Music Week 2009. And, previously announced speakers taking part in GMA Music Week 2009 include Louie Giglio, authors Gabe Lyons (unChristian, Baker Books) and William P. Young (The Shack, Windblown Media), and financial experts Michael Q. Pink and Bethany and Scott Palmer.

The Christian and gospel music community gathers every April in Music City for GMA Music Week. Artists, radio, retail, managers, agents, promoters, record companies, publishers, media, marketing and public relations professionals and others join together for artist performances, educational seminars, spiritual enrichment, and unparalleled networking opportunities. With all music genres represented including pop, rock, praise & worship, black gospel, R&B, hip hop, southern gospel, country, and more, GMA Music Week is the must-attend convention of the year for anyone doing business in or with the Gospel music community.

All the confirmed details are available at www.gospelmusic.org. A discounted registration rate of $299 for GMA Members is still available until April 10. Registration for GMA Music Week 2009 is now available online at http://www.gospelmusic.org/events/summaryDetail.aspx?aid=9&pid=33.

Here are some of the new highlights for GMA Music Week:

* Saturday night Indie Artist Showcase with hands on and practical instruction from live music producer Tom Jackson and guest teaching artist Rush Of Fools.

* Sunday Songwriter Showcase and Worship. The annual celebration of the year’s best songs is performed in an acoustic setting by the songwriters who wrote the hits. Hosted by Natalie Grant and Matthew West, the songwriter event will feature Chris Sligh, Sam Mizell, Tony Wood, Ian Eskelin, Francesca Battistelli, Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey, Jason Ingram, Don Chaffer, Mike Weaver, Ben Fielding, Rueben Morgan and Ronny Hinson. The evening will end with a time of worship led by Brenton Brown and Laura Story. The Sunday night event is sponsored by BMI and ministry partner Compassion International.

* Monday “Fish Bowl” Forum with Steve Moore, Sr. V.P. of AEG Live! The forum is one of the many opportunities during GMA Music Week for participants to listen to a candid and informative discussion on a variety of subjects. This Monday morning forum will be a discussion of live touring and will include a number of industry leaders from TicketMaster, CAA, WAY-FM and others.

* Tuesday Worship Breakfast will feature Selah, Pocket Full of Rocks, and Sonicflood providing worship music with speaker and Glory Revealed author David Nasser.

* Wednesday GMA Community Gathering & Artist Symposium will first featuring a session moderated by freelance music writer Deborah Evans Price and including Amy Grant, Dan Haseltine, Stephen Petree (formerly of Shiny Toy Guns), Cedric Dent (Take 6) and Marty Roe (Diamond Rio) discussing how artists of faith can make a connection in several music genres and the challenges of rewards of living out their faith in mainstream entertainment environments, and using their platforms to impact culture for Christ. Beloved and respected artist/songwriter/producer/author Charlie Peacock will be the final keynote of GMA Music Week.

The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards (www.doveawards.com) will take place April 23, 2009 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. Tickets to the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 615-242-0303.

About GMA:
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music of all styles including pop, rock, praise & worship, black gospel, R&B, hip hop, southern gospel, country, and more. The GMA community consists of 3,000 members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Music Week and the GMA Academy. For more information, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.

Christian Music News Source

Simply Complicated

With the release of Simple Things, Amy Grant is making a comeback of sorts. But recent years have been anything but simple for Grant, who went through a very public divorce and remarriage. Just how complicated have things been? We asked, and here's what she had to say …

With last week's release of Simple Things (Word), her first pop album in six years, one might say Amy Grant is back.

Not that she ever left us, of course. Since her last pop album, 1997's contemplative Behind the Eyes, Grant has given us more warm yuletide fare (1999's A Christmas to Remember) and a marvelous collection of hymns (2002's Legacy).

For a few of those years, Grant laid relatively low while her personal life took center stage—much of it in the tabloids. In the late '90s, she had a much publicized friendship—and rumored romance—with country musician Vince Gill, who had divorced in 1997. Then came Grant's 1999 divorce from singer/songwriter Gary Chapman, her husband of 16 years and the father of their three children. A year later, the Grant-Gill romance rumors were confirmed as they walked down the aisle. And a year after that, Grant and Gill had a baby girl, Corinna.

In the wake of Grant's divorce, many Christian media—including Christianity Today International—avoided doing Amy Grant stories. Many Christian radio stations and bookstores refused to play her music or sell her records. Disillusioned fans turned their backs on her. It was open season on Amy Grant, and many Christians picked up their weapons. Some of the barbs were cruel, some merely speculative.

In early 2000, Christianity Today magazine questioned Grant's high visibility less than a year after her divorce ("Take a Little Time Out," February 7, 2000). The article noted that "neither Grant nor the Christian marketing industry, in promoting her concerts and albums, has missed a beat." That story noted Grant ads in two other CTI magazines, Today's Christian Woman and, irony of ironies, Marriage Partnership. The article concluded: "Whether Amy Grant and Vince Gill have found happiness amid the pain of others is a matter between them and their families, their church communities, and the Lord. But her dressing up and our propelling her public ministry, without taking time for serious reflection, violates what should be the Christian conviction about the sanctity of marriage."

Grant was aware of the backlash in the Christian community, but says she was mostly unfazed by it. She says all of her emotional energy was spent recovering from the pain of a broken marriage, investing in her new marriage and, soon thereafter, a new baby.

Over the next couple of years, Grant became more open about her regrets concerning her divorce. In May 2002, CCM magazine asked Grant what she would say to those who felt betrayed, confused or angry because of her divorce and remarriage. Grant replied, "The first thing I would say is, 'I'm sorry.' I did the best I could, and in some arenas, my best was not good enough. I've made some bad choices." And in a press release accompanying Simple Things (Word), released on August 19, Grant said she's had to "grapple with the shame that you feel when you've been through a divorce."

Simple Things is Grant's 18th CD. The multiple Grammy and Dove award winner has sold over 22 million albums; 1991's Heart in Motion, seen by some as the best contemporary Christian album of all time, sold more than 5 million copies.


Source

Steely Dan, Juan Gabriel, Marco-Antonio Solis, Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith Added to Pacific Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series

COSTA MESA, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Tickets for performances by Steely Dan, Juan Gabriel, Marco-Antonio Solis, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith at the Pacific Amphitheatre will go on sale Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18. The Pacific Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series will feature 21 shows during the Orange County Fair July 11 - Aug. 3 (closed Mondays).

The pioneering, critically acclaimed and Grammy-winning Steely Dan kick off their first concert tour in three years on July 23. Led by longtime creative partners Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, the band has carved one of the most distinctive paths in contemporary music, sporting a highly distinctive, signature sound. On June 10, they're scheduled to release a new album, "Everything Must Go." Concert tickets go on sale Sunday, May 18, at 12 pm.

Performing at the Pacific Amphitheatre on July 12, Juan Gabriel is an enormously successful artist with an equally enormous following. He's sold upwards of 30 million albums and routinely sells out major concert venues throughout the world. Gabriel was the recipient of the ASCAP Songwriter of the Year award in 1995, and was inducted into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame the following year. Tickets go on sale Sunday, May 18, at 10 a.m.

Marco-Antonio Solis who performs July 19, has been a major presence on the Latin American music scene for many years, but then again he had an early start. Solis formed his first band when he was 12, and was a mere teenager when he started his next band, Los Bukis, which proved to be a powerful, successful, influential and enduring group, which Solis led for some 20 years. While still guiding Los Bukis, he also launched a solo career, turning out a string of best-selling albums, including "Quiereme," "Inalcanzable," "Por Amor a Mi Pueblo," as well as the more recent "Trozos de Mi Alma." Solis tickets go on sale Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m.

When Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith perform at the Pacific Amphitheatre on July 20, it will be a significant evening, as it will mark their first concert together in four years. Grant has racked up five Grammys, including one for Best Female Gospel Performance, three Doves (Gospel music's most prestigious award) and scored huge hits with both "Baby Baby," as well as "Next Time I Fall." Smith, who has won Grammy and Dove awards himself, has also sold more than eight million records and enjoyed 25 Number One hits. Tickets for the Grant-Smith show go on sale Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m.

Tickets will be available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ , by phone at (714) 740-2000 or (213) 480-3232, and at the Orange County Fair box office. Concert ticket prices include Fair admission. Gates open 90 minutes before show time. Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early to avoid traffic and parking delays. The remaining concerts to be performed at the newly reopened Pacific Amphitheatre will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 111th annual Orange County Fair, themed "Red, Ripe and Rockin'," is July 11 - Aug. 3 at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center. The Fair will be closed on Mondays (July 14, 21 and 28).

Conveniently located off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in the heart of Costa Mesa, the 160-acre Orange County Fair & Exposition Center is a popular Southern California destination, hosting over 100 events and shows a year and attracting 4.3 million visitors annually. It is the home of the annual Orange County Fair, Youth Expo and Centennial Farm. Orange County Fair & Exposition Center

CONTACT: Pam Highwart or Ruby Lau, both of Orange County Fair &Exposition Center, +1-714-708-1543

Web site: http://www.ocfair.com/

Christian Music News Source

MORE ARTISTS AND SPEAKERS ADDED TO GMA MUSIC WEEK 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – April 3, 2009 – Charlie Peacock, Amy Grant, Natalie Grant, Dan Haseltine, Barbara Mandrell and Rush of Fools are among the additional artists lining up to be a part of GMA Music Week April 18 to 22 in Nashville. They join a growing list of artists, speakers and industry leaders that are scheduled to participate in the five-day convention.

In addition, GMA previously announced that Brandon Heath, Jars of Clay, Mandisa, Bart Millard, Francesca Battistelli, Point of Grace, Diamond Rio, Group 1 Crew, Meredith Andrews, BarlowGirl, Remedy Drive, Mark Schultz and more will be a part of GMA Music Week 2009. And, previously announced speakers taking part in GMA Music Week 2009 include Louie Giglio, authors Gabe Lyons (unChristian, Baker Books) and William P. Young (The Shack, Windblown Media), and financial experts Michael Q. Pink and Bethany and Scott Palmer.

The Christian and gospel music community gathers every April in Music City for GMA Music Week. Artists, radio, retail, managers, agents, promoters, record companies, publishers, media, marketing and public relations professionals and others join together for artist performances, educational seminars, spiritual enrichment, and unparalleled networking opportunities. With all music genres represented including pop, rock, praise & worship, black gospel, R&B, hip hop, southern gospel, country, and more, GMA Music Week is the must-attend convention of the year for anyone doing business in or with the Gospel music community.

All the confirmed details are available at www.gospelmusic.org. A discounted registration rate of $299 for GMA Members is still available until April 10. Registration for GMA Music Week 2009 is now available online at http://www.gospelmusic.org/events/summaryDetail.aspx?aid=9&pid=33.

Here are some of the new highlights for GMA Music Week:

* Saturday night Indie Artist Showcase with hands on and practical instruction from live music producer Tom Jackson and guest teaching artist Rush Of Fools.

* Sunday Songwriter Showcase and Worship. The annual celebration of the year’s best songs is performed in an acoustic setting by the songwriters who wrote the hits. Hosted by Natalie Grant and Matthew West, the songwriter event will feature Chris Sligh, Sam Mizell, Tony Wood, Ian Eskelin, Francesca Battistelli, Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey, Jason Ingram, Don Chaffer, Mike Weaver, Ben Fielding, Rueben Morgan and Ronny Hinson. The evening will end with a time of worship led by Brenton Brown and Laura Story. The Sunday night event is sponsored by BMI and ministry partner Compassion International.

* Monday “Fish Bowl” Forum with Steve Moore, Sr. V.P. of AEG Live! The forum is one of the many opportunities during GMA Music Week for participants to listen to a candid and informative discussion on a variety of subjects. This Monday morning forum will be a discussion of live touring and will include a number of industry leaders from TicketMaster, CAA, WAY-FM and others.

* Tuesday Worship Breakfast will feature Selah, Pocket Full of Rocks, and Sonicflood providing worship music with speaker and Glory Revealed author David Nasser.

* Wednesday GMA Community Gathering & Artist Symposium will first featuring a session moderated by freelance music writer Deborah Evans Price and including Amy Grant, Dan Haseltine, Stephen Petree (formerly of Shiny Toy Guns), Cedric Dent (Take 6) and Marty Roe (Diamond Rio) discussing how artists of faith can make a connection in several music genres and the challenges of rewards of living out their faith in mainstream entertainment environments, and using their platforms to impact culture for Christ. Beloved and respected artist/songwriter/producer/author Charlie Peacock will be the final keynote of GMA Music Week.

The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards (www.doveawards.com) will take place April 23, 2009 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. Tickets to the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 615-242-0303.

About GMA:
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music of all styles including pop, rock, praise & worship, black gospel, R&B, hip hop, southern gospel, country, and more. The GMA community consists of 3,000 members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Music Week and the GMA Academy. For more information, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.

Christian Music News Source

Reminiscing with Amy III

It's funny you say that because you're currently on a major Christmas tour with costume changes!

Grant: It is a very beautiful and lush show that actually does have three costume changes. But that's more of a specialty show, not my own solo, non-seasonal show. The response [to the Christmas show] has been great. It's basically a three-hour evening between myself, my husband, and comedian Henry Cho. We work music into his comedy, laughing at family dysfunction and celebrating faith by reading the Christmas story from Luke.

I've also heard about your commitment to sending the show, via satellite, to our troops overseas.

Grant: We did a show in San Antonio that was really amazing. The military helped us do a satellite to Baghdad where during intermission we had eight families seated in the front row and one by one they were able to communicate with their loved ones using the cameras to see each other. It was so emotional and nobody moved even though it was the intermission. As long as we had the link, we figured we might as well have them talk face to face!

How does your family traditionally celebrate Christmas?

Grant: This year all the children are coming out on the last two shows of the Christmas tour once they are out of school. That's become one of our newer traditions, as it is a time to go shopping for one another. We have days off before the performances, so we're always running to a mall together, then getting back and watching Christmas movies on the bus. Come Christmas Eve, we usually go to my mom and dad's. Everybody brings one gift and then we play that game when we all steal it from each other. Some are really cool, others are useful and some are a bit out there. Last year my 13-year-old nephew got 100 pounds of dog food, and Vince wound up with a talking scale because he's the biggest in the family. Christmas Day we'll keep the fire going and all be together as a family again.

What's coming up for you in the new year?

Grant: We're actually a few sessions away from finishing a second hymns record that will come out in April. I loved doing the first, but this one really has a great spirit to it that will be different. Then we'll clean the slate and I'm going to write some new songs, so we'll just have to wait and see what comes of all that!


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