Amy Grant is a renowned American singer, songwriter, musician, author and media personality who rose to fame in contemporary Christian music during the 1980s and then crossed over to pop music in the 1990s. Over the course of her long career spanning over 4 decades, Grant has become known as “The Queen of Christian Pop” and has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, won 6 Grammy Awards and had several chart-topping songs.
Amy’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Amy Lee Grant was born on November 25, 1960 in Augusta, Georgia. She is the youngest of four sisters. Her family moved to Nashville, Tennessee when she was 10 years old and she grew up there. As a teenager, Grant wrote her first song and taught herself how to play guitar. In 1977 at age 16, she recorded a demo tape with her church youth group and was soon discovered by a visiting gospel music promoter. This led to her first record deal with Myrrh Records when she was just 17.
Grant released her debut eponymous album “Amy Grant” in 1977 and it was well-received, becoming the top-selling Christian album of the year. Her follow-up albums in the late 1970s and early 80s – “My Father’s Eyes” (1979), “Never Alone” (1980) and “Age to Age” (1982) – were also hugely successful in Christian music charts. The song “El Shaddai” from “Age to Age” became her first major CCM hit. Grant had emerged as the “princess” of Christian music by the mid 80s.
Mainstream Crossover Success in the 1980s
As Grant’s popularity in the contemporary Christian music genre kept growing, she began attracting mainstream attention. Her 1985 album “Unguarded” became her first album to chart on the Billboard 200 chart. The single “Find a Way” from the album became her first Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 1986, Grant headlined her first major tour with noted Christian singer Michael W. Smith. Her subsequent albums “The Collection” (1986) and “Lead Me On” (1988) also performed well on mainstream charts and expanded her crossover appeal.
Grant achieved her biggest mainstream success with her 1991 album “Heart in Motion” which sold over 5 million copies. The lead single from the album “Baby Baby” became a pop smash hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The other singles “Every Heartbeat” and “That’s What Love Is For” also topped the charts. “Heart in Motion” won Grant her first Grammy award for Best Pop Gospel Album in 1992.
Continued Mainstream Success in the 1990s
Throughout the 1990s, Grant maintained her popularity as a crossover artist, blending pop, folk and country styles with her contemporary Christian roots. Some highlights:
- Her 1992 album “Home For Christmas” went multi-platinum and introduced her holiday music to wider audiences.
- Her 1994 album “House of Love” included the pop hits “Lucky One”, “Say You’ll Be Mine” and the title track.
- In 1995, she released her first holiday pop album “Tennessee Christmas” featuring traditional carols.
- Her 1996 album “Behind the Eyes” went platinum and the title track became a Top 20 hit.
- In 1998, she released her third holiday album “A Christmas to Remember”.
During this period, Grant won 4 more Grammy Awards and frequently appeared on high profile TV shows. She performed at the Super Bowl XXVI pre-game show in 1992. She published her first book “Angels” in 1995. In the latter 1990s, Grant also began acting with cameos and guest roles on TV series like “Touched by an Angel”.
Career in the 2000s
In the early 2000s, Grant took a break from recording pop albums and focused more on other creative pursuits:
- In 2003, she released her first studio album in 5 years, “Simple Things” which returned to her Christian pop roots.
- She published her second book “Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far” in 2007.
- In 2007-2008, she co-headlined a US concert tour with longtime music peer Michael W. Smith.
- In 2010, she released her second memoir “Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far”.
In the latter 2000s, Grant also underwent some personal issues like her parents’ deaths and her high-profile divorce from country music star Vince Gill in 2007 after 16 years of marriage.
The 2010s: New Directions
In Grant’s later career, she continued exploring new creative directions:
- She released her first studio album in 10 years, “How Mercy Looks from Here” in 2013 which debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200.
- In 2014, she reunited with longtime label home, EMI Nashville to launch her own record label Say So Records.
- In 2016, she released a new Christmas album “Tennessee Christmas” on her new label.
- In 2018, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- In 2021, she formed a new band called The Harmony Project and began touring small venues.
- She also began releasing music on streaming services for the first time in her career.
Now in her 60s, Grant continues to tour occasionally and work on music while balancing her personal life as a mother of 5 children. Her lifetime record sales exceed 30 million and her journey from Christian music to pop stardom remains an inspiration.
Personal Life
Amy Grant married fellow Christian singer-songwriter Gary Chapman in 1982. They had three children together – musician Matthew Chapman, Millie Chapman and Sarah Chapman. Grant and Chapman divorced in 1999.
In 2000, Grant married country music star Vince Gill and she became stepmother to his daughter Jenny Gill from a previous relationship. Grant and Gill had one child together, Corrina Gill, born in 2001. After 16 years of marriage, Grant and Gill announced their divorce in 2017 but continue to share a bond through their music and children.
Awards and Achievements
Some key honors and accolades Amy Grant has received over her acclaimed career include:
- 6 Grammy Award wins and 26 nominations
- 22 GMA Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association
- A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2018)
- Inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame (2006)
- Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2004)
She was honored as the “Queen of Christian Pop” at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards in 1997. Besides her music career, Grant is also noted for her philanthropy with foundations such as Make-A-Wish and Crescendo Literary along with other charitable causes.
Grant’s Music Style and Legacy
As a performing artist, Amy Grant is distinguished for her fluid crossover appeal between contemporary Christian music, pop, folk, country and soft rock genres. She has been credited for expanding the audience of gospel music to wider mainstream listeners. Critics have praised her engaging vocal style and heartfelt, inspiring lyrics exploring themes of romance, faith, spirituality, life’s challenges and relationships.
Some key features of Amy Grant’s music through the years include:
- Expressive and emotive pop-styled vocals ranging from soft and soothing to powerful and belting.
- Folk-pop acoustic guitar driven melodies in her early work.
- Slick pop production with synthesizers in her 80s and 90s hits.
- Country influences working with producer Brown Bannister.
- Contemporary Christian lyrics on love, prayer, faith and overcoming adversity.
- Mainstream romantic themes and crisp pop songwriting as she crossed over.
- Soaring, inspiring gospel-tinged vocals and arrangements.
- Christmas music blending religious and holiday pop elements.
Amy Grant’s widespread appeal and pioneering role in expanding Christian music’s audience has made her an important figure in American pop culture. She demonstrated that faith-based music could successfully crossover to mainstream popularity. Through her catchy and heartfelt songs, Grant provided spiritual comfort and inspiration to her legions of fans spanning generations.
Philanthropy and Charity Work
In addition to her iconic music career, Amy Grant is also admired for her extensive charity and humanitarian work supporting various causes:
- Make-A-Wish Foundation – Grant has been involved with this organization granting wishes to children with critical illnesses for over 30 years. She serves on their Board of Directors and hosts annual fundraising events.
- Crescendo Literary – Grant co-founded this company publishing books for children and young adults. The proceeds support youth literacy programs.
- TennCareUninsured – In 2007, Grant helped launch this now-defunct healthcare program providing medical insurance to uninsured children in Tennessee.
- Friends of Children’s Hospital – Grant regularly performs at fundraising events for this Nashville-based organization supporting pediatric medical research.
- Various HIV/AIDS charities – During the 1990s crisis, Grant performed at benefits supporting research and treatment for HIV/AIDS.
Grant is also an advocate for arts education, supporting programs that give children greater access to music and arts resources. Through her philanthropic and humanitarian endeavors over the past 40 years, Amy Grant has made a significant impact beyond her music career alone.
Most Notable Songs and Albums
Here is a selection of some of Amy Grant’s most popular and acclaimed songs and albums over her career:
Top Songs
- “El Shaddai” (1982)
- “Angels” (1985)
- “Every Heartbeat” (1991)
- “Baby Baby” (1991)
- “That’s What Love Is For” (1991)
- “Good For Me” (1992)
- “House of Love” (1994)
- “Takes a Little Time” (1997)
- “Simple Things” (2003)
- “Better Than a Hallelujah” (2013)
Top Selling Albums
- “Age to Age” (1982)
- “Straight Ahead” (1984)
- “Unguarded” (1985)
- “Heart in Motion” (1991)
- “House of Love” (1994)
- “Behind the Eyes” (1997)
- “Legacy…Hymns & Faith” (2002)
- “Somewhere Down the Road” (2010)
- “How Mercy Looks from Here” (2013)
Grant has racked up over 30 million in album sales globally in her career with multiple platinum and gold records. Her holiday albums like “Home for Christmas” and “Tennessee Christmas” also standout as fan favorites.
Conclusion
In summary, Amy Grant emerged in the 1980s as the “Queen of Christian Pop” before crossing over to mainstream popularity in the 1990s. She achieved tremendous success with chart-topping pop hits and albums, establishing herself as both a Christian music icon and an influential voice in American pop culture. After taking a break from her career in the early 2000s, Grant returned with new music projects and continues touring and recording into her 60s. Now a veteran performer, Grant remains one of the best-selling contemporary Christian artists of all time. Her heartfelt, inspiring songs and philanthropy endeavors have impacted the lives of millions around the world over her remarkable 40+ year career. At nearly 70 years old, it is clear Amy Grant still has more to give through her music and positivity.