Amy Grant
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After 30 years with Word Records, Christian music pioneer Amy Grant has
left the roster, signing a deal with EMI Christian Music Group's Sparrow
label that will include her catalog as well as new music.
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"We are certainly honored by Amy's confidence in us to carry on her
musical legacy," says Bill Hearn, president/CEO EMI Christian Music Group.
"It certainly is a historical moment for EMI."
Grant signed with Word in October 1976, one month shy of her 16th
birthday. "I had a great run with Word and still love the people there,"
Grant tells Billboard, "but I feel like EMI is uniquely outfitted to do
great things for the catalog. And I've known Bill Hearn and his father for
over 25 years. There's a comfort level there."
EMI has the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Bob Seger, Frank Sinatra and other
major catalogs and EMI executives look forward to working Grant's music.
"We really have a passion and mission for Amy's catalog," says Hearn.
"We're going to repackage and re-master all 16 of her catalog titles and
release them all together on August 14th both physically and digitally as
well as a suite of mobile products for the cell phone. There's never been
a ‘Baby, Baby' ring tone. Imagine how popular that could be."
In addition to the August releases, EMI will release a new greatest hits
package in October that will include at least one song from each of
Grant's previous studio albums. There will also be a special edition
issued that will include a bonus DVD of Grant's music videos and other
content.
When news surfaced that Grant's contract with Word was ending, there
was much speculation as to whether she'd stay with Word or sign with one
of the other three major Christian music companies. At one point, there
were rumors she might sign with Sony/BMG's Provident Music Group because
Grant is managed by Blanton, Harrell, Cooke and Corzine, and the firm's
other major client, Michael W. Smith, is on Provident's Reunion label.
In the end, EMI won out. "I just think we presented a marketing plan that
really resonated with Amy's team," says Hearn. "That's why we got the
deal. We have a unique situation here at EMI CMG in that we have a strong
partnership with EMI Music's catalog marketing division."
Grant is able to take her catalog with her to EMI because, in an unusual
feat for an artist, she has always owned her master recordings.
Grant's departure from Word is the end of an era for the 56-year-old
company. "Word is honored to have been part of Amy's career for the past
30 years," says Word senior VP of marketing Rod Riley. "She is a pioneer
that paved the way for so many other Christian artists and we wish her the
best on all her endeavors."
Grant will be on tour this summer with her husband Vince Gill and the Del
McCoury Band. She's working on a book for Waterbrook Press due out this
fall titled "Mosaic," a collection of poems, stories, and other writings.
As for the direction of her next album, "It's probably too early to say,"
Grant muses. "I've been working really hard to do this [book] project and
that's all I have thought about."
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