Amy Grant is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, author, media personality and actress who has been called “The Queen of Christian Pop”. She is known for songs like “Baby Baby”, “Every Heartbeat” and “That’s What Love Is For”. Amy has been married to country music singer Vince Gill since 2000.
Amy Grant’s Early Life and Career
Amy Lee Grant was born on November 25, 1960 in Augusta, Georgia. She began her career in contemporary Christian music as a teenager in the 1970s. Her first two albums were self-titled “Amy Grant” and “My Father’s Eyes”. In 1982, she released her breakthrough album “Age to Age” which contained the hit song “El Shaddai”. This album would go on to become the first Christian album to ever be certified Platinum.
Throughout the 1980s, Amy continued to enjoy great success in contemporary Christian music with hit albums like “Straight Ahead”, “Unguarded” and “Lead Me On”. She won multiple Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association including Female Vocalist of the Year six years in a row. Her popularity began to expand into pop music as well with songs like “Find a Way” and “Wise Up” gaining airplay on more mainstream radio stations.
Amy Grant Meets Vince Gill
In 1993, Amy Grant recorded a duet called “House of Love” with popular country music singer Vince Gill for her new album “House of Love”. Gill had established himself as one of the biggest stars in country music throughout the 1980s and early 1990s with smash hits like “When I Call Your Name” and “I Still Believe in You”.
When Gill and Grant met in 1993 to record their duet, they felt an instant chemistry both musically and personally. At the time, Grant was married to her first husband Gary Chapman and Gill was married to country singer Janis Oliver of Sweethearts of the Rodeo. Despite both being married, Grant and Gill became close friends and there was a mutual attraction between them.
Amy Grant Divorces and Marries Vince Gill
In 1998, Amy Grant and Gary Chapman announced they were divorcing after 16 years of marriage. The divorce was considered scandalous in the Christian community at the time. Later that same year, Vince Gill also divorced his wife Janis Oliver after a 17 year marriage.
Grant and Gill’s musical collaboration continued through the 1990s with more duets and joint tour dates. They began dating in 1999 as both were now divorced and free to pursue a romantic relationship. In 2000, Amy Grant and Vince Gill got married in a private ceremony attended by close family and friends. They decided to blend their families, combining Amy’s three children from her first marriage with Vince’s one daughter.
Amy Grant and Vince Gill’s Marriage
By all accounts, Amy Grant and Vince Gill have had a strong, loving marriage since tying the knot in 2000. The couple has credited open communication, blending their families successfully, and balancing each other’s careers as keys to their relationship success. They’ve also emphasized the importance of their Christian faith in their marriage.
Amy and Vince have continued to collaborate musically, recording songs and going on tour together. They’ve received multiple Grammy nominations as a duo including Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. Family has also been a focus as they’ve supported their now four grown children through school, relationships and burgeoning careers.
In an interview with People Magazine for their 18th wedding anniversary, Amy said of Vince “He’s everything that I have needed and dreamed of and wished for.” While Vince stated about Amy “There is zero drama, zero jealousy, zero meanness. She’s the real deal – there’s just no darkness.”
Vince Gill’s Musical Career
Vince Gill was born in Oklahoma and raised in California. He began playing guitar as a teenager and gained early recognition for his talent, eventually joining country rock band Pure Prairie League. His solo career took off through the 1980s achieving massive country hits like:
- “When I Call Your Name” (#1 country hit)
- “Never Alone” (#2 country hit)
- “I Still Believe in You” (#1 country hit)
- “Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away” (#1 country hit)
Gill has won 22 Grammy Awards including multiple awards for Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance. He’s also earned 18 Academy of Country Music Awards and sold over 26 million albums. Some highlights include:
- Academy of Country Music – Top Male Vocalist (1992, 1993, 1994)
- Country Music Association – Male Vocalist of the Year (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994)
- Grammy Award for Best Country Song (“I Still Believe in You”)
- Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals (“When I Fall in Love”)
In 2007, Gill received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of his significant career achievements and contributions to the music industry.
Amy Grant’s Ongoing Music Career
While balancing her marriage and family life, Amy Grant has continued to record new music and tour in the 2000s and 2010s. She’s released multiple compilation albums like “The Best of Amy Grant” and successful new studio albums like “Rock of Ages…Hymns & Faith” which sold very well despite being Christian themed pop/rock.
Some highlights of Amy Grant’s recent career accomplishments include:
- Gospel Music Hall of Fame induction (2003)
- Christian Music Hall of Fame induction (2005)
- Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (2006)
- 3x Platinum certification for “The Christmas Collection” album (2016)
Grant has won 6 Grammy Awards from 17 nominations over her acclaimed career. 4 of her albums have gone multi-Platinum and she’s sold over 30 million records worldwide. She continues recording Gospel and Inspirational themed music today.
Amy Grant and Vince Gill’s Philanthropy
As a couple, Amy Grant and Vince Gill have been very active in charity and philanthropic work over the years. They’ve performed at countless benefit concerts supporting causes like:
- Tornado and natural disaster relief
- Research for various cancers and disease
- Children’s hospitals and health organizations
- Arts education and music programs
- Animal rescue and wildlife conservation
Grant and Gill have helped raise millions of dollars through these charitable concerts and events. Individually they also founded their own charitable foundations. The Amy Grant Hospital Room volunteer program provides decorating and amenities to brighten pediatric hospital rooms. Gill’s Golconda Rising foundation helped rebuild his hometown after devastating tornadoes.
Amy Grant and Vince Gill Today
Amy Grant, now 62 years old, and Vince Gill, 65, have settled into their roles as country music legends and pop culture icons. They split time between Nashville and Los Angeles while continuing to write, record and perform music either solo or together.
Family remains the top priority for them both with Gill saying in an interview “We both came from fairly fractured families so we made a pact to put our marriage first.” They enjoy spending time with their 10 grandchildren who all call them “Gagga” and “Grampy”.
Grant and Gill’s musical styles have continued to blend together more over the years. Gill provides backing vocals and musical accompaniment on many of Grant’s recent Christian albums. Meanwhile, Grant often joins Gill to sing duets during his country shows. Their joint Christmas at the Ryman concerts have become a popular Nashville tradition.
After over 20 years of marriage, Amy Grant and Vince Gill’s relationship remains strong and loving. They credit their faith, communication skills and dedication to each other with keeping their romance alive. Even after busy independent careers, Grant and Gill still make their marriage the priority. As one of country music’s longest lasting couples, Grant and Gill continue to support and inspire one another after more than two decades together.
Key Facts about Amy Grant’s Husband Vince Gill
- Full Name: Vincent Grant Gill
- Born: April 12, 1957 in Norman, Oklahoma (age 65)
- Main Instruments: Guitar, Vocals
- Genre: Country, Country Pop
- First Solo Album: Turn Me Loose (1984)
- Number of Albums: 18 Studio, 7 Compilation
- Notable Songs: “When I Call Your Name”, “I Still Believe in You”, “Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away”
- Awards: 22 Grammys, 18 ACM Awards
- Inducted: Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
- Marriages: Janis Oliver (m. 1980-1998), Amy Grant (m. 2000-present)
- Children: 1 daughter with Janis, 3 step-daughters with Amy
Vince Gill and Amy Grant’s Relationship Timeline
Year | Relationship Event |
---|---|
1980 | Vince Gill marries Janis Oliver |
1982 | Amy Grant marries Gary Chapman |
1993 | Gill and Grant meet and record duet “House of Love” |
1998 | Gill divorces Janis Oliver |
1998 | Grant divorces Gary Chapman |
1999 | Gill and Grant start dating |
2000 | Gill and Grant marry |
2018 | Inducted together into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame |
2023 | Celebrate 23 years of marriage |
Conclusion
Amy Grant found lasting love with fellow country music star Vince Gill after both divorced from previous spouses in the late 1990s. Despite coming from the Christian music world while Gill was an established country icon, the two bonded over their musical chemistry and shared values like family and faith. Since marrying in 2000, Grant and Gill have blended their families, supported each other’s careers, toured and recorded together, and become philanthropic partners.
Their marriage has survived the test of time based on open communication, humor, compromise and complete devotion to each other. After over 20 years together, Grant and Gill remain one of music’s most admired couples. Their genuine friendship and love are an inspiration. Vince Gill remains the loyal and loving husband Amy Grant dreamed of finding. Through the ups and downs of life in the spotlight, their commitment to God and to each other has kept their relationship strong.