Wednesday November 24, 1999

A Love Triangle

Amy Grant and Vince Gilll's new love affair is the stuff country music songs are made of. Call this one "I dumped my husband and fell for a superstar." And the heartbreak in this tune would belong to Amy's ex, Gary Chapman, who's speaking about his private pain for the first time. EXTRA has the story.

Gary Chapman says when the love of his life, singer Amy Grant, walked outon him after 16 years of marriage and three kids he was devastated. He says the legal reason, irreconcilable differences, doesn't begin to tell the true story. "Reality is we had one irreconcilable difference." Greg says. "I wanted her to stay and she wanted to leave."

Chapman met Grant during her meteoric rise from Christian music darling tocrossover pop star. At the same time, his career took off too as a Grammy nominated singer/ songwriter and popular host of TNN's "Prime Time Country," where Chapman mixes goofy stunts with big name interviews like the Dixie Chicks and Dolly Parton. But the laughing stopped at home. After months of marriage counseling Amy decided she wanted out. The divorce became final in June and in a few short weeks Grant was cuddling country music superstar Vince Gilll. He and Amy officially went public last month at a golf tournament in Oklahoma.

Chapman's house of pain came after their "house of love," Vince and Amy's1994 smash duet. Many suspected that video hid a real life attraction. In fact, this week's "People Magazine" reports that same year Gill's wife found a love note in Vince's golf bag from fellow golfer, Amy. But both Grant and Gill insist they were not romantically involved until after Vince divorced wife Janice in 1997 and Amy left Chapman. Does Gary buy that? "Could I answer? Yeah. Will I answer? Probably not." Gary says. "I think by Amy's Admission they've been very dear friends for years. I suspect most people can add. I'll leave that to their mathematical abilities." Now Chapman says his love for his kids and faith in God has helped him heal.