Amy Grant burst on the music scene as a Christian artist and quickly blossomed into a pop star with her hit "Baby Baby." How has her new marriage to Vince Gill and being a mom changed her writing and singing style? Amy chats with fans about her new release, "Simple Things."
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Originally Webcast August 18, 2003
Welcome to MSN Live! This afternoon we are pleased to welcome recording artist Amy Grant to MSN Live!
Amy, welcome to MSN Live! It is so great to have you here!
Thank you so much for doing this. We know you're a busy lady and we greatly appreciate it!
Thanks for joining us tonight. Tomorrow's a really exciting day and it's fun to share the anticipation.
That's very nice.
Are you excited about the release of "Simple Things" tomorrow?
I am. This has been a project that has been a long time in the making. I'm glad it took that long because it makes the content more interesting. My Sarah- my rising 5th grader- is getting contacts tomorrow so she's much more excited about that. I get teased-- contacts first, and oh by the way, my mom has a record coming out too.
So tomorrow will be known as the day Sarah gets contacts. (laughs)
I can't believe you already have a 16 year old.
Yeah, it goes fast
What kind of guitar are you using these days?
Until 5 months ago I was playing a Taylor guitar and recently I started using McPherson guitar. You can recognize them because the hole on the face is in the left hand corner rather than under the strings. The strings resonate equally. It's a great guitar.
I have found that my religion has gone to new depth due to listening to your music, and when I'm spiritual down it picks me up. How do you feel about giving this impact to people all around the world? (I’m from the UK)
I've had that same experience with other people's music. Most of them with older hymns that I knew as a child so I know what you're talking about. I think the great thing about music is that it's the quickest way to soften your heart. Your heart has to be soft for you to be spiritually open.
Is there music that you listen to feel "up"?
I have all my old favorites. I just got the 10 disc, TimeLife "Tribute to the 70's." It's a year per disc and I love 1970-1974. My favorites are everything from Bonnie Raitt, Coldplay, Keb Mo. . . I always like singer/songwriters.
If I'm in a quiet mood I like to listen to Ella Fitzgerald and I'm embarrassed to say how many CDs I have.
What is your favorite hymn to sing in church?
Probably one of my favorites is "I Need Thee Every Hour." My all time favorite is "How Great Thou Art."
What is your favorite thing that Vince has brought to Legacy and Simple Things? Thank you for all you do for our Lord!
Overall I would have to say that Vince's attitude toward me is so encouraging and nurturing. He gives me confidence in my instincts because I battled a little self-doubt for a while and I really respect his musical talent.
Now that you're chatting with Amy, pick up her new CD 'Simple Things' tomorrow!
He's so gifted. He's an effortless singer and he's so tasteful in what he does musically. I trust his opinion when I ask him about lyrics or sound. He usually advises to me to us an economy of words, be direct, because I tend to get Shakespearean.
As a parent of a newborn (my first -- 3 months old) what is the best advice you have about raising Christian kids?
I think Eugene Peterson has written a translation of the Bible called "The Message." In Psalms he says, "God lovers make good friends." I think that's true. As parents we'll fail again and again, but what Peterson meant is that when your life is impacted by God's love and mercy and in spite of ourselves, direction. I feel that someone who is invested in a relationship with God they are drawing from a deep well of compassion. I think parents have to have patience from sleep depravation and lack of freedom. There's a stability that comes from continually receiving love from God, when you screw up, you're not ashamed to say you really messed up because you're not afraid to be humble.
I hardly remember when my kids were young. . . the most powerful thing I've experienced with my older children was going through a divorce and being able to say, "I'm sorry, I made a mistake." I look at my 13 year old and say, "My choices have impacted on us all and brought consequences. I failed, but God is big enough to carry all of us.
Learning to say "I'm sorry" and extending forgiveness. That's the message of Jesus. And then I would have to say, my parents have 17 grandchildren and some of them have taken the LONG way home. (laughs) But people are wired differently. Some kids just tow the line and don't screw up but others have to learn the long way. I don't think it has to do with the parents. The children just have to figure it out.
I've taken several loops. (laughs)
Hello Amy from Tarah in Seattle. I just wanted to ask about your new album-- what were your influences when making your new album, "Simple Things"?
I don't know that I have had any influences. The production influences were Keith Thomas's idea. When it's time to make a record I'm not trying to imitate anybody. I'm trying to find my original voice, write that music, and say those words. I'm sure I'm influenced by everyone I've ever heard but I'm not trying to mimic anyone.
Amy - thanks for joining us on MSN tonight. I found your album "Heart in Motion" to be a very eclectic work. What does "Simple Things" have in store for us?
"Simple Things" runs the gambit from one song that is only guitar and vocal to the pop track "Simple Things." There's a beautiful song written by Ron Hemby wrote that has a Celtic feel.
Overall this album is more earthy than "Heart in Motion."
Greetings from TX Amy! I just wanted to ask when you were younger what did you want to "be when you grew up"?
A lot of things. I never dreamed of being a singer, oddly enough. I wanted to live on a farm and I don't think I wanted to be a farmer but I wanted to be in the country. I wanted to camp across the country, which I haven't done yet, but still might. When I got older and got halfway decent at cooking a meal I wanted to own a restaurant but my brother owns a restaurant but he works way too hard. (laughs)
Amy, how has your work with Mercy Ministries & Childhelp USA affected your life? What was your inspiration for writing the song, "Ask Me"?
"Ask Me" is the story of a friend of mine who was sexually abused by a family member. I knew this girl for years before she told me her story. One evening when we were taking a walk, the sun was going down and she began unfolding the story of her childhood. You could have knocked me over with a feather. We met in college and I was so tormented by her story that I had nightmares. I had a daughter of my own at the time and all I could think about was children in desperate situations.
About four days into this thought process I wrote the song "Ask Me."
So my work with Child Help and “Ask Me,” it's a daunting task when you look at all the children at risk to think how we help them all until you consider that for every child that is helped, that's a child that is no longer in torment and that's huge.
It also makes you realize that you never know anyone's entire life experience. Sometimes when we see someone on the street and make a judgment about them from the way the look or sound.
You can find out more information at http://www.childhelpusa.org
Are you planning another Holiday tour this year? If so come to Philadelphia, please!
Hi 21 year old Christian from Norway. Just wondering are you coming to Europe for a concert?
Yes we are planning a holiday tour. It's going to be different from past years. There will be fewer people on stage but we’ll have a chamber orchestra. It's just them and me together. We're also taking a good friend of ours that's a comedian. We wanted this lush music to celebrate Christmas but there's nothing better than laughter. Henry Cho is hysterical and we'll be bringing him out for a few segments for the evening.
I think the Christmas tour is set all in the Eastern United States.
There's no plan for a European tour right now. I've had great experiences traveling over seas. A lot of that is driven economically, we'll just have to wait and see.
Question from meredith_lee: Amy, I assume you'll be taking Corrina along on a lot of your upcoming tours. As a mom to a two year old (this week!) how on earth do you keep her entertained?
Hmm. (laughs) She loves music. That part’s easy. If I'm traveling by bus she loves playing around on the bus. If I'm on the plane I take a portable DVD player and kid movies. She won't wear head phones but she doesn't care if the sound is up. We sing, read and play. If I am by myself doing interviews or whatnot I have to have something to entertain her.
Amy, the "Simple Things" album is so awesome. I think it is so fresh sounding and it is my favorite in some ways from you so far. Are you more excited for its release compared to other albums?
There have been times in my life that I've been more anxious about the success of a record. I'm also pleased with "Simple Things" but I think my expectations are so low, you know? I don't know how I'm going to fit into a play list.
Am I too old? Has the bell curve ended for me? I've had to let go of all that. I love performing and am happy in front of 50 or 5,000 people. Sometimes I enjoy smaller crowds more. I'm proud of the work but I just don't expect gigantic, mass reception. I am so pleased to produce this music for people that love it.
Judging from the fans here, this album is going to be tremendously popular!
Your fans in here just adore you
Hello Amy. Just a quick hello from Anchorage Alaska
I have got some great supporters. I've done so many Unplugged. . .People in my fan club can come to sound checks. I meet people in the fan clubs and I can relate to them and have had great experiences with them. I feel so contented on the inside.
Whatever happens is more than enough, it's more than I ever expected.
You do sound content! Thanks for joining us tonight on MSN Live Amy.
I sit here and can't believe that I made a record. It was my high school hobby and someone else paid for it! What a gift. I don't take that for granted.
Thank you, thank you!! Thanks for taking time out of your day, especially if you have small children, we call this ‘the arsenic hour.’ Mine is probably screaming in the other room with Vince. (laughs)
Now that you've met Amy Grant, pick up "Simple Things" tomorrow!
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