Artist Discussion Series: Amy Grant

[Just Myself]

While I've never listened to a lot of her music, I find Amy Grant enjoyable. One of our local radio stations play four or five of her singles on a regular basis. I'd say my favorite song of hers is I Will Remember You.

P.S. : A suggestion- Could we please do The Rolling Stones in one of the next discussions, like #11 or #12, or maybe even #10? Pleeeeease?

Cheers,
JM

[my chicken is infected]

Aaron will be VERY happy to know that I picked up Rock Of Ages at the library. I actually quite enjoyed it. I'd like to pick it up one of these days, but for now, it's on my computer for my enjoyment.

[QueenRahel]

amy grants xmas cd is the best xmas cd ever!!! i listen every year and brings back lots of memories...

[AwallaceUNC]

Aaron will be VERY happy to know that I picked up Rock Of Ages at the library. I actually quite enjoyed it. I'd like to pick it up one of these days, but for now, it's on my computer for my enjoyment.

I am VERY happy to hear that! It's a great album - artistically, one of her best. When you buy it, I recommended getting the "Three Wishes" edition that is exclusive to Target. It has a bonus disc with a few extra tracks. It was a limited release, but I think you can still find some copies.

amy grants xmas cd is the best xmas cd ever!!! i listen every year and brings back lots of memories...

Which Christmas CD? She does have six, after all.

-Aaron

[AwallaceUNC]

Amy's book will be coming out this fall! Initial press release and cover art:

In a career spanning more than twenty-five years, Amy Grant has won six Grammy Awards in multiple categories, beginning with the platinum-selling Age to Age in 1982, and has had six #1 songs, including “Baby, Baby” and “Every Heart Beat.” Billboard named her the most successful artist of the 1980s and ’90s, and she was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2003. Time Again…Amy Grant Live, the recording of Grant’s sold-out performances in Dallas, was released in September 2006, and she is attracting both devoted fans and new audiences with her symphony tour, in which she performs with local orchestras in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Kansas City, and other cities nationwide.

MOSAIC is the first and only authorized book of this much beloved icon. In an autobiography that resonates with her trademark poetic imagery and engaging spirit, Grant presents her musings on everyday life—friendship, marriage, motherhood, loss, forgiveness, and new beginnings—and provides inspiring insights into what it means to live authentically. Whether she is sharing light-hearted reminiscences about her childhood in Nashville, writing about beginning a new life with the country music star Vince Gill, or describing an amusing encounter with a fan of her husband’s, Grant invites readers into her world and into her heart.

Open, entertaining, and moving, MOSAIC is a wonderful portrait of an innovative artist and the qualities that have endeared her to both Christian and mainstream audiences.

-Aaron

[AwallaceUNC]

Amy's announced a national 2007 tour, something we were told wasn't going to happen - http://www.amygrant.com/tour-162.htm

-Aaron

[AwallaceUNC]

More huge, huge news for this fall. Amy has (FINALLY) signed a new record contract. She previously left A&M in late 2004/early 2005. She's now leaving Word Records, the now-Warner-owned company with which she helped put Contemporary Christian Music on the map in the '70s and '80s.

As part of the new world-wide deal, newly remastered reissues of most of her albums will be released this fall, along with digital versions for sale online (including ringtones and ringbacks), and a new major greatest hits package!!

Press Release:

EMI Music Signs Worldwide Catalog Partnership With Amy Grant... to Re-Release Grant's 30-year Catalog, Including New Catalog Titles

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 27 /PRNewswire/ --

EMI CMG Label Group's Sparrow label announced today that they have signed a world-wide, long term deal with Amy Grant, which will include Grant's extensive 30 year catalog of recordings, which has sold more than 30 million units, as well as new catalog products. EMI will also have the option of working with Grant to issue new recordings in the future.

Initially, 17 titles of Amy Grant's catalog will be re-mastered and rereleased in both physical and all digital formats on August 14th (*see full list below). EMI CMG Label Group and EMI Music Catalog Marketing will also partner with Grant to create a new Greatest Hits package with bonus material spanning her entire career scheduled for October release.

As a part of the new agreement, EMI CMG will retain all digital and mobile rights of the catalog, launching a major campaign with all digital and mobile service providers on August 14th. This will mark the first time much of Grant's vital catalog will be made available in digital formats, and plans also include the simultaneous launch of an aggressive mobile campaign with ring-tunes, ringbacks and more.

"This is truly an honor and historic moment for our company and a great day for Amy Grant fans. For the first time, all of Amy's best selling catalog will be available physically and digitally everywhere consumers want to buy her music. Amy's life and music has impacted millions of people worldwide including countless members of our own team. We consider it a privilege to carry on Amy's musical legacy," said Bill Hearn, President and CEO, EMI Christian Music Group.

Products will be available to Christian retail stores through EMI CMG Distribution and general market physical and digital retailers via EMI Music Marketing (EMM).

"I have known and respected Bill Hearn and his father, Billy Ray, for over 25 years, but we have never officially worked together," remarks Grant. "I am so glad that scenario has finally changed. I am excited about the plans EMI has for my music and I am grateful for the amazing job they have done with so many artist catalogs and careers. I am thrilled to be part of the EMI family and look forward to working together for many years."

In addition to her August re-releases, a new definitive Greatest Hits collection, including at least one song from every studio album Grant has recorded, will be released in October. A special edition version will also be available that includes a bonus DVD of Grant's music videos and other exclusive content. This will be the first collection to include songs from both her early contemporary Christian work as well as her highly successful pop releases.

This summer Grant will join husband Vince Gill on tour along with the Del McCoury Band. The 18-date circuit begins July 14 at Atlanta's Chastain Park Amphitheatre and concludes Sept. 11 at Santa Ana Star Center, Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

"Amy Grant is one of the world's premier music artists, and we're thrilled to enter this exclusive partnership with her," says Bill Gagnon, EMI Music Marketing's Senior Vice President of Catalog Marketing. "We look forward to working closely with Amy to showcase and further propel Amy's award-winning music around the world with great respect, creativity and care. We are thrilled to have Amy Grant join our roster of other great artists, such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Bob Seger, Frank Sinatra, and more."

Amy Grant has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, won six Grammy Awards and 21 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. She is well known as the pioneering Christian singer whose success on mainstream radio opened doors for other Christian artists. Her impact was recently celebrated with a star on the legendary Walk of Fame in Hollywood, making Grant the only artist with roots in contemporary Christian music other than Andrae Crouch to receive such an honor.

http://www.amygrant.com
http://www.emicmg.com

*Initial catalog titles EMI-CMG will release 8/14/07:
Amy Grant
My Fathers Eyes
Never Alone
In Concert Vol 1
In Concert Vol 2
Age To Age
A Christmas Album
Straight Ahead
Unguarded
The Collection
Lead Me On
Heart in Motion
Home for Christmas
House Of Love
Simple Things
**Behind The Eyes
**A Christmas To Remember
**Available to general market retailers via EMM, Available to Christian Retail through 12/31/08 from Word Distribution.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stori ... 879&EDATE=

A few months ago, we were told not to expect much from Amy in '07. Now we have a book, an album, a dvd, 17 reissued/remastered albums, two concert tours, a remastered digital catalog, ringtones, and a supposed primetime TV special to look forward to before 2007's end.

-Aaron

[AwallaceUNC]

Apparently Billboard broke the story about the record label change. Here is the article with more information: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/art ... 1003577644

-Aaron

[AwallaceUNC]

Amy's new record label, EMI/Sparrow Records, has just released 26 Amy Grant ringtones! These weren't expected to be available until 8/14 (coinciding with the 14 reissued CDs that will be released that day), but RingToneJukebox has made them available today!

Available ringtones:

• Rock of Ages
  Every Heartbeat (chorus)
  This is My Father's World
  The River's Gonna Keep on Rolling
  Tennessee Christmas
  Takes a Little Time
  Stay For a While
  Softly and Tenderly
  Simple Things
  Nothing But the Blood
  My Jesus, I Love Thee
  Marching to Zion
  Lead Me On
  I Will Remember You
  I Surrender All
  Good For Me
  Fairest Lord Jesus
  Everywhere I Go
  El Shaddai
  Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
  Carry You
  Breath of Heaven
  Baby Baby
  Baby Baby (intro)
  Baby Baby (chorus)
  Abide With Me

$2.99 US each. You can sample each song for free. Available here:
http://www.ringtonejukebox.com/realtone ... orID=12762

Hmmm... decisions, decisions. Which shall I get?

-Aaron

[AwallaceUNC]

Huge, huge day for Amy Grant today. Lots of exciting news items and releases on the market! First off...

New CDs
14 of Amy's albums have been reissued on CD today in brand-new, digitally remastered editions. From what I've heard so far, the difference is astounding. Most retailers that I checked today were carrying them for between $10 and $15 each and some are running a 2-for-$20 special this week. All 14 are also available at Amazon.com (search for "amy grant remastered").

Today's re-released albums are:

• Amy Grant (1977)
  My Father's Eyes (1979)
  Never Alone (1980)
  In Concert (1981)
  In Concert Volume II (1981)
  Age to Age (1982)
  Straight Ahead (1984)
  Unguarded (1985)
  The Collection (1986)
  Lead Me On (1988)
  Heart in Motion (1991)
  House of Love (1994)
  Behind the Eyes (1997)*
  Simple Things (2003)*

*Not available in Christian bookstores; remastered editions sold in mainstream retailers only

<hr>

iTunes

When you log onto the iTunes Store, the home page features an Amy Grant banner on the top. Click on that and you'll be taken to the Christian & Gospel page, which has been entirely decorated with an Amy Grant theme for this week. There, you will find a number of things:

Amy Grant - The Storyteller Collection - This is essentially a "box set" of 10 of Amy's albums (112 songs), available exclusively on iTunes. Each track has been digitally remastered and can be purchased individually or as part of the box set. The entire collection is discounted at $79.92 and also includes an exclusive digital booklet.

14 Remastered Albums - The same 14 albums that have been reissued to CD today are also available in digital form on iTunes. The albums are $9.99 each, regardless of the number of tracks. (The individual tracks can be bought for $0.99 each or in a DMR-free version for $1.29 each). Most of the albums also come with digital booklets. Amy's albums that were not reissued are also still available there, bringing the total to 29.

Amy Grant Podcast - There is also a completely FREE podcast hosted by Amy Grant, which you can "subscribe" to on iTunes. This is brand-new, just released today. The first episode is thirty minutes long. (No word on how many more episodes are to come).

Celebrity Playlist: Amy Grant - iTunes has a regular feature in which celebrities create an annotated playlist of their favorite songs, allowing others to sample or buy them. Amy Grant is the newest addition to the line-up! (Interestingly, she follows the cast of <i>High School Musical</i>).

"On Amy's iPod" - The Christian & Gospel page features a section of music that is currently on Amy's iPod, with links to preview and buy the music. I love that Maroon 5's new album is on there.

"Amy's Influences" - Similarly (just below it), there is also a section featuring 16 albums that Amy lists as some of her biggest musical influences.

New Artist Home Page - Amy's iTunes Artist Home Page has been updated and redesigned!

<hr>

Ringtones

In my last post, I listed Amy's new cell phone ringtones that were released early. They are officially available today! In addition to visiting ringtonejukebox.com, if you use AT&T/Cingular, T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon, you can send a text message to 66555 and automatically receive the following ringtones ($2.99 charge/each).

• Lead Me On - AMYG1
  Stay For Awhile - AMYG2
  Baby Baby (Original Chorus) - AMYG3
  Baby Baby (Original Intro) - AMYG4
  Every Heartbeat - AMYG5
  Takes a Little Time - AMYG6
  Simple Things - AMYG7

You can preview these and many more ringtones by clicking on the link in my last post.

<hr>

AmyGrant.com

AmyGrant.com was recently redesigned and re-launched in support of Amy's new CDs and book this fall. Today, a video featuring Amy discussing her remastered CDs was posted on the website. You can find this on the homepage.

There is also a webpage there that gives more details on the remastered CDs and the new iTunes releases: http://www.amygrant.com/remasters.htm

<hr>

Billboard

Amy's most recent album, <i>Time Again... Amy Grant Live</i> re-entered the Billboard Top Christian & Gospel Albums chart today. It was released last fall and spent eight months on the chart. It re-entered the chart at #56 this week! This may be due, in part, to Amy and her husband Vince Gill performing several songs on "The Today Show" last week.

As you can see, this is a very exciting day! Many of these items were not previously announced, so it's a great surprise for fans. I'm very pleased that EMI is giving Amy's tenure with them such a great start.

:party

-Aaron

[Miss Jo]

Last week, on a whim, I listened to Amy Grant's House of Love CD for the first time in, like, ten years. I used to love it when I was a kid, but I had forgotten a lot of the songs.

Anyway, I fell in love with the album all over again. My favourite song is "Lucky One," which I played about seven times in a row. I couldn't get enough of it! I also really like "Say You'll Be Mine," "The Power," "Big Yellow Taxi" -- Amy's version of that song is the best -- and "Children of the World."

[AwallaceUNC]

Last week, on a whim, I listened to Amy Grant's House of Love CD for the first time in, like, ten years. I used to love it when I was a kid, but I had forgotten a lot of the songs.

That makes me very happy, Miss Jo! It's always great to rediscover music you love but have, for whatever reasons, forgotten about. I think that of any of Amy's albums, my fondest memories of rushing out and listening to a new release was with House of Love.

Anyway, I fell in love with the album all over again. My favourite song is "Lucky One," which I played about seven times in a row. I couldn't get enough of it! I also really like "Say You'll Be Mine," "The Power," "Big Yellow Taxi" -- Amy's version of that song is the best -- and "Children of the World."

Those are my favorite songs too. "Children of the World" is probably my favorite on the album; I love the many layers of instrumentation and the way that it sounds simultaneously ethnic and epic.

I'd also have to add "Helping Hand", "Oh How the Years Go By", and the title track. I guess that's getting to be the majority of the album. I'll just rank the tracks, then (order subject to change):

1. Children of the World
2. Oh How the Years Go By
3. The Power
4. Helping Hand
5. Lucky One
6. House of Love
7. Say You'll Be Mine
8. Big Yellow Taxi
9. Love Has a Hold On Me
10. Whatever it Takes
11. Our Love

They're all great, really, though "Our Love" is not one of my favorites.

You should check out another of Amy's albums once you've finished reconnecting with this one!

-Aaron

[MadonnasManOne]

You should check out another of Amy's albums once you've finished reconnecting with this one!

-Aaron

Yes, Miss Jo should reconnect with Heart In Motion! That's Amy's best album, in my opinion.

I forgot about "Lucky One" and "The Power". I LOVED those songs, back when that album was released. Is that album the follow-up to Heart In Motion? It seems like I remember hearing those two songs after the many hits from Heart In Motion.

[AwallaceUNC]

Yes, Miss Jo should reconnect with Heart In Motion! That's Amy's best album, in my opinion.

My picks for Amy's best albums are Lead Me On (1988), Behind the Eyes (1997), and Simple Things (2003). Have you heard any of those, MM1? I do think Heart in Motion is a great album, though -- certainly her poppiest and most successful album. It's also probably the ideal follow-up for someone who likes House of Love. Each and every track rocks!

I forgot about "Lucky One" and "The Power". I LOVED those songs, back when that album was released. Is that album the follow-up to Heart In Motion? It seems like I remember hearing those two songs after the many hits from Heart In Motion.

Essentially, yes. There was a Christmas CD (Home for Christmas - 1992) in between them but House of Love was the first non-holiday album to follow Heart in Motion. HiM launched 7 radio singles between 1991 and 1992. HoL launched 8 radio singles between 1994 and 1995.

Oh, and just a little trivia tidbit since you like "The Power" (which I finally heard Amy sing live for the first time at the last concert I attended), Cher covered the song in the late '90s.

-Aaron

[AwallaceUNC]

Amy Grant is one of five singer-songwriters nominated for the Nashville Songwriters' Hall of Fame this year. To be eligible, a songwriters' first substantial works must have gained commercial success or significant artist recognition more than 20 years ago.

2 of the 5 will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The announcement will be made on 10/14.

http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news ... ll_of_Fame

-Aaron

[AwallaceUNC]

Yes, I'm bumping this thread again, but it's for good reason! Two commercial spots for Amy's Greatest Hits: Special Edition CD/DVD coming out this October are now on YouTube. They feature Amy on acoustic guitar, singing two of her songs in her living room.

Check them out!

"Baby Baby" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwSokH72Yd8

"Saved by Love" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqq1v9WWlds



-Aaron

[blackcauldron85]

The acoustic "Baby Baby" was great! I don't know "Saved by Love", so I can't compare it to the original, but I LOVED the acoustic "Baby Baby"!

[AwallaceUNC]

The acoustic "Baby Baby" was great! I don't know "Saved by Love", so I can't compare it to the original, but I LOVED the acoustic "Baby Baby"!

Me too. I'm really hoping these acoustic performances show up uncut on the Special Edition CD/DVD in October. Hopefully additional songs too.

"Baby Baby" is one of the best-engineered bubblegum pop songs in history, and as such it more than holds up today, but it's clearly a product of its time. When Amy strips it and sings it acoustically, as she does in this commercial, it takes on new life.

"Saved by Love" is great too. It's slower to begin with, but the acoustic version is still really neat. The original is going to be on the new Greatest Hits disc as well.

I'm happy you liked these, Amy (the other Amy ).

-Aaron

[AwallaceUNC]

This is a reminder that Amy Grant - Greatest Hits comes out TOMORROW! (Tuesday, October 2nd). It will be available in 2 editions:

*Single-Disc CD - 19 tracks

*2-Disc Special Edition CD + DVD - 19 tracks, 5 music videos, a trial fan club membership, a feature-length interview with Amy, a photo gallery, a ringtone, a rare acoustice performance of "Takes a Little Time", and best of all... a SLIP-COVER (and one that doesn't just repeat the cover art, at that!)

--------

Also, Amy's three best-selling Christmas CDs: A Christmas Album (1983), Home for Christmas (1992), and A Christmas to Remember (1999) are being re-released in all-new Digitally Remastered editions tomorrow.

The remastered Christmas albums will also be available on iTunes, along with her other remastered albums, in both regular and iTunes Plus versions.

-------

Finally, many of Amy Grant's music videos will be available for purchase in the iTunes Music Store tomorrow for the first time ever (exactly which videos will be available remains a mystery).

-------

Big day for Amy Grant and her fans tomorrow!

-Aaron

[blackcauldron85]

*Single-Disc CD - 19 tracks

*2-Disc Special Edition CD + DVD - 19 tracks, 5 music videos, a trial fan club membership, a feature-length interview with Amy, a photo gallery, a ringtone, a rare acoustice performance of "Takes a Little Time", and best of all... a SLIP-COVER (and one that doesn't just repeat the cover art, at that!)

I can't imagine which version you're going to buy.


The single disc one, of course.

I'm excited that you're excited, Aaron!