"I've laid down the microphone and I'm pickin' up the pompons to cheer him on," she said about Gary Chapman, who's spending his time in the recording studio on the couple's Nashville ranch cutting a solo album. It will be released by RCA, with which he's just signed a pact.

Since their marriage in 1982, Gary's concentration has been on Amy's career. He's written songs for her, served as backup musician for her and organized her tours. "It gets weird when I'm always in the forefront," she said. His new RCA contract "has really been a boost for our relationship," she added.

She did go before the cameras in October to make "Amy Grant. . . Headin' Home for the Holidays," NBC's Sunday special (9 p.m. on Ch. 2) in which Chapman also appears. She's also continuing to write songs. However, she's putting her singing career on hold until Chapman's LP goes into release next spring.

Incidentally, she's not appearing on that LP. Although she said, "Maybe he'll give me credit as head chef of the soup kitchen."

More Articles