|
Biography:
Amy Grant is not only one of the most influential singers in contemporary Christian music, but also a successful pop star. She was born in Nashville, the youngest of four children, and released her self-titled debut album at
age 15 after signing with Myrrh/Word Records in 1979.
In 1982, she married singer/songwriter Gary Chapman, who was to become her co-writer by the late 1980s. Grant became a bonafide gospel star in 1982 following the release of her acclaimed album Age to Age, which won her a Grammy for Best Female Gospel Performance and three Dove Awards, including Artist of the Year.
In 1984, she released a Christmas album and Straight Ahead, the latter winning Grant another Dove award; the cut "Angels," which she co-wrote, won her another Grammy. In 1985, Age to Age was certified platinum, and her other
two albums went gold.
Her 1985 album, Unguarded, soon followed suit and again won her a Grammy. Grant caused an uproar amongst her loyal gospel audience with this album, which sported two successful pop crossover singles, "Find a Way" and "Wise Up." A year later, she made it to number one on the pop charts with "The Next Time I Fall," a duet with Peter Cetera.
Throughout the '80s Grant's success continued, as her albums went gold and platinum and won awards. She signed to A&M in 1990 and began focusing less on her squeaky-clean gospel singer persona, trying to project a more
contemporary, sexy (albeit in a wholesome way) pop image.
In 1991, she had three big hit singles on the pop charts: the number one "Baby Baby," "Every Heartbeat," and "That's What Love Is For." from the album 'Heart In Motion'. By the end of the year, the album had gone double platinum and continued to be a big seller, ultimately spending 52 consecutive weeks on the US album chart.
Long-term collaborators Keith Thomas and Michael Omartian were again in place for the follow-up, House Of Love. Boosted by a strong duet with Vince Gill on the title track and the presence of another hit single, 'Lucky One', this collection also included a cover version of the Joni Mitchell
standard, 'Big Yellow Taxi'.
Grant took a giant leap in credibility with Behind The Eyes in 1997. This was an album of much greater depth that dispelled the perception of her as merely a vacuous pop diva.
Grant frequently donates her time to several humanitarian efforts and has received honors from the American Cancer Society, the State of Tennessee, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, and St. John's University, which gave her its Pax
Christi Award. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Music Guide
'When I was in high school, I listened to Aretha Franklin and
the Jackson Five. I remember discovering R&B music then and Joni Mitchell too.'
Taken from allmusic guide and
the Encyclopedia of Popular Music.
Merged by Greg Smith.
With thanks to David Bruce.
|
|
