Ladies in Music Alphabet--Amy Lee Grant

When Amy Grant was a young girl of 16, she wrote some song lyrics, then in her most talented voice, recorded them. Her parents played the recording over the phone to an executive at Word Records. This evolved into her first album titled "Amy Grant". It was a very successful album in the Christian music market. Amy graduated Harpeth Hall School, and was an English major at Furman University. She later attended Vanderbilt University. She dropped out of college to pursue a career in music after making a few more albums.
Some of Amy Grant's albums were, "My Father's Eyes", "Never Alone", "Amy Grant in Concert", and "In Concert Volume Two". Amy Grant was also a backup singer for Bill Gaither.

In 1982, Amy Grant released the album "Age to Age". On this album were the songs "El Shaddai", and "In a Little While". "El Shaddai" received an award for one of the "Songs of the Century" by the RIAA in 2001. Amy Grant received her first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Gospel Performance, as well as two GMA Dove Awards for Gospel Artist of the Year, and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. "Age to Age" was the first Christian album released by a solo artist to be certified gold (1983), and the first Christian album to be certified platinum (1985).

Amy Grant established herself as the "Queen of Christian Pop". Her goal was to become the first Christian singer-songwriter to be popular also in the contemporary/pop field. In 1985, Amy Grant surprised some fans with "Unguarded". From this album, came "Find a Way". This became the first Christian song to hit the Billboard Top 40 list, and #7 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Her very first Billboard Number one hit was "The Next Time I Fall" in 1986. This was a duet with Peter Cetera. "Lead Me On", contained many songs about Christianity, love, and relationships. Later, the "Lead Me On" album from 1988 would be declared the greatest Contemporary Christian album of all time by CCM Magazine.

In 1991, Grant released "Heart in Motion". This album was filled with contemporary/pop music. On this album, was "Baby Baby"; it was written for Grant's newborn daughter. This track became a pop hit, hitting Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. All the other tracks from this album rose high on the charts.

Amy Grant continued her success in 1994 with "House of Love". Her music boasted of catchy pop songs mixed with spiritual lyrics. This album was multi-platinum, and produced the hit "Lucky One. On this album, she did a duet with future husband, Vince Gill, called "Big Yellow Taxi"

Her album she referred to as her 'razor blades and Prozac' album was "Behind the Eyes". This album was filled with more downwards tempo, soft-rock songs, with more mature lyrics. This album failed to sell like the previous two albums, which had gone multi-platinum. In 1999, Grant followed with the album "A Christmas to Remember". This was her third Christmas album, and was certified Gold in 2000.

Grant's 2002 release of "Legacy...Hymns and Faith", featured Vince Gill-influenced mix of bluegrass and gospel. In 2005, she released "Rock of Ages...Hymns & Faith".

Amy Grant was also in television with the reality television phenomenon "Three Wishes" Grant hosted the NBC show which granted wishes for small-town residents. The show was cancelled after one season.

A live performance in Fort Worth, Texas in 2006 was recorded for Amy Grant's live album called "Time Again...Amy Grant Live". The CCM Magazine gave Amy Grant coverage, and she also won a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2007, Amy revealed to her fans of a book she was working on. Its name is "Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far". She said on her web site that it was not an autobiography, but just a collection of memories, song lyrics, poetry, and a few pictures. The book was released in 2007, and went to #35 on the New York Times Best Seller list.

In 2007, Amy Grant appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, for a holiday show.
In May of 2009, Grant released an EP on iTunes, with two new songs; "She Colors My Day", and "Unafraid", also on this EP, were some of the old hits.
At Disney's California Adventure theme park, Amy Grant was declared the "signature voice" for the "World of Color" hydrotechnic show. Steven Davison made the announcement during Disney's D223 Expo in 2009.

Amy Grant married Gary Chapman, in 1982. They had three children. Grant filed for divorce (citing irreconcilable differences) from Chapman in March 1999. The divorce was final in June 1999.

In March 2000, Amy Grant married Vince Gill. They have one daughter together.

Amy Lee Grant, referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop", is a musician, poet, author, actress, and media personality. As of 2009, she remains the best-selling Christian music singer ever, having sold over 30 million units worldwide. Grant has six Grammy Awards, 25 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, and can boast of the first Christian album ever to go Platinum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Grant