Past Internet Chats with Amy Grant

FOA February 1, 2007 chat summary

AdminRod � First question, what does �CM� stand for?

AG � Okay, that makes me laugh that you asked that. It�s not dirty. Vince has always referred to me as his chestnut mare in a world of poodles

AG � I know that Marty Stuart is going to be there. That�s all I know. I have several friends that graduated from Ole Miss and I had the pleasure of having dinner with with Robert Khayat who is the chancellor of the university. He�s a real music lover.

AG � that�s my connection

Johnboy � Hi Amy, would you consider doing a live cd/dvd of your favorite Christmas songs as a follow-up to Time Again��?

AG � hmmm�.I have so many recorded concerts in the can that would be very easy to do. In fact, we worked so hard on the studio versions that its hard to replace them with the imperfection of live music.

TruAmyFan � Will Amy be spending Valentines Day with Vince since he will be out of town doing a concert?

AG � Yes, I�m joining Vince on the road. I think he�s somewhere in IL.

FirstCor13 � Amy, do you and Vince plan on attending this year�s Grammy Awards?

AG � I know Vince is going for sure, and I�m not sure about myself.

Jbarth � Amy, I am glad you are writing a book that is supposed to be published in Fall 2007. Could you tell us a little more about the book and what led you to write it? Thank you for the Coffee with Amy in Ft. Worth. Would you consider a future FOA event near a concert as so many fans loved the event?

AG � the name of the book is Mosaic , it�s not an autobiography, but more a collection of memories, song lyrics, poetry and a few pictures. This has really been a challenge as I am not a seasoned pro�s writer but I�m writing it all myself. So far I�d say it qualifies as a pamphlet, hopefully by the book deadline it will be a book.

Ryeconrad � Hi Amy, it�s great to see you in the chatroom again! Anyways, two questions�1. Will you be doing a Christmas concert this year? and 2. when will you release a new pop album?...thanks and God bless you.

AG � My plate is pretty full with this book effort and the occasional one-off shows I�m doing plus with three teenagers and a 5 year old, I don�t want to miss these times that are flying by so quickly. I�m anxious to get back in the studio after the book is finished and reinvent myself as an almost 50 performing woman.

Helena � Hi Amy, I was just wondering how your day was today.

AG � Fabulous! I filmed blogs for the website, played a little hide and seek, did a little cooking, showered and washed my hair which always feels great. I took my sick teenager to the dr, went to the grocery store, I forgot, I started my day with a 7am prayer group that two of my friends and I lead for high school girls. Vince is home, it will be nice to sleep in the same bed�it�s a good day.

Stillme � I am a Rich Mullins fan and I understand he toured with you back in the 1980�s for �Unguarded�. Can you tell us a fun story about touring with him or just a memory from that tour? Thanks, and thanks for your gift of music. Andie

AG � I have a memory from the Rich Mullins tour, this does not directly involve Rich, although he was there, we had a tour stop in Reno, before we left town, we pulled our two tour buses over, handed everyone $50 and said �meet back in the bus in 45 minutes, broke or with whatever winnings you have after 45 minutes�. One man on the tour named Sammy, a missionary�s kid, hit a lucky streek and came back to the bus with enough money to buy his girlfriend and engagement ring. We all celebrated, Rich included. After Rich died, his sister sent me an enlarged photograph that he kept as a nod to his own ego. It was a photograph made into a poster of radio city music hall and the marquee had both of our names.

Laxgirl24 - Hey there Amy! I was wondering what your favorite song is that�s out right now or has been out recently?

AG � my mind is a blur. I don�t listen to a lot of radio. Mostly I search itunes and keep adding to my collection of old music. Let me think on that one. What are you listening to? I�d love to know.

GAJULES � Are you going to do a Christmas concert in 2007?

AG � no Christmas show in 2007

AG � I�ve been listening to and old Imogen Heap cd, that and John Prine. That�s what comes to mind right now.

Imyy4u � Hey there Amy, I heard you been to Israel, did you get a chance to be baptized in the Jordan River?

AG - I was not, but I watched a lot of my friends being baptized and it was beautiful.

Txsara � with both Amy and Vince both having new albums out near the same time, have ya�all had any time to spend at the golf course? Does Amy play golf any more?

AG � I�m not playing much golf these days. Neither is Vince really. We just returned from Cabo San Lucas where we did a benefit raising money for a children�s hospital. Vince played like a pro.

AmandaOK � My 5 year old, Molly, who almost knocked you over with a hug at the Coffee in Ft. Worth, wants to know what Corrina is doing for her birthday. Molly is having a 50s party next weekend.

AG � a 50s party, what a great idea. If Corrina could have her dream party she�d spend it with Zack and Cody from the Disney channel, especially if they were in a time warp and had not yet gone through puberty. She wants to go to pump it up (an inflatable slide place). We did that last year and once is enough for me. We might go ice skating because she got ice skates for Christmas. The day after her birthday, Millie and I leave to look at colleges in New England. It goes by fast.

Dianacc � My 12 year old daughter is just learning the guitar and has sore fingertips � any suggestions?

AG � If she has sore fingertips she is on the right track

Caraella � Amy what was the cool part of Ft. Worth, TX for you? Thanks for your music

AG � Carla, I enjoyed seeing the article about you in your hometown paper. My two favorite things were all the philanthropic things that my fans had done and presented to me as a gift and the presence of so many faithful fans. That�s what made the evenings spectacular to me.

Mctwin - What tv shows do you watch? Are you watching any TV shows? Grey�s Anatomy, 24, Ugly Betty�?

AG � none. I did watch a few movies over Christmas, Little Miss Sunshine, The Devil Wears Prada, and rewatched the Family Stone. All great experiences.

Tdw � You had said on the Time Again DVD that the story about Johnny was actually about another song. What actually did inspire or lead to the writing of the song Carry You?

AG - That song was inspired by hard times, some of my own, a dear friend of mine who had long bout with dependence and is now five months into AA, several inspirations

Mandy1 � Hi Amy, this is Mandy from Sherrill�s Ford N.C. I was wondering if you and Vince will ever do a duet album and will you ever tour together?

AG � I don�t think we will ever do a duet album. We�ve toured together in the past at Christmastime. Right now because of family responsibilities its easier for me to work from home and for him to be on the road. We try to squeeze in shows together when we can.

Kenny21 � I know that at one time you were a lit major. Since you have such a deep love of nature, were you influenced by any of the romantic poets? �Lover of my Soul� reminds me of the themes from the era of poetry.

AG � I don�t read as much now as I used to. I�m embarrassed to say I would have to go look at the books of poetry to tell you the authors names. The last book of poetry I purchased was Christina Rossetti. Any suggestions for recent poets? I�m out of the loop.

Txsara � Hey Amy, do you still take Corrina to pick flowers every year on her birthday?

AG � of course, they�ve actually bloomed already this year. You know I was picking flowers when I went into labor with her�buttercups on the farm where Vince and I were married. I�ll send pictures of Corrina and buttercups after the chat is over.

SusanFaith - Do you watch American Idol? If so, what do you think of the show and the singers?

AG - I�ve seen one episode of American Idol, two weeks ago, my first and only. It absolutely broke my heart when Simon was railing on a somewhat awkward contestant�s version of Unchained Melody, but I thought the show was brilliant.

Luckyone633 � Hi Amy, what is your favorite season? I really like winter because I�m a January baby along with McTwin (my real-life twin sister) but it is getting COLDER by the day here in WI.

AG � My favorite season? I love them all. By the end of each one I�m anxious for the next. I love sweating in summer, fall and winter provide an amazing opportunity for all of my pyromaniac tendencies, I�m prone to season depression and so spring is always like a rebirth. How can you choose?

Mctwin � Do you have any feelings about which film will win an Academy Award for best picture?

AG � I saw dreamgirls the week it opened on Broadway. I don�t believe anything could compare to hearing Jennifer Holiday, a relative unknown, sing I�m standing here for the first time. I understand the movie didn�t come close to the theater experience. Actually, I have been much more in tune with Broadway than with movies this year having taken each of my four older children, Jenny my stepdaughter included, on solo trips to NYC.

Kevinmaryland � My sister�s husband travels a lot for his job. She has two children and sometimes seems overwhelmed with his traveling. Any advice I can give her?

AG � motherhood can be very isolating. You can forget you�re a woman and you can sort of forget who you are. I would suggest reaching out to friends who are in town. After the kids have gone to sleep put on a pot of coffee or pour a glass of wine and make time for a friend.

Sister-n-HIM � Hi Amy, I know Millie and Sarah like to dance, does Corrina show any interest in dance?

AG � Corrina is sitting right here, I will ask her. Corrina takes dance lesions every Thursday afternoon but my favorite performance was when she joined me on stage with the Nashville Symphony and did a free form dance to �Innocence Lost�. Someone told me that my son Matt who was almost 19 at the time was weeping from beginning to end.

Proudpatriot � How is the songwriting going? What is your source of inspiration these days?

AG � Songwriting is on hold, book writing is on the front burner. I dedicate two days a week to writing. Mostly I�m trying to remember details of stories I�ve told and retold and get them on paper.

Laxgirl24 - Amy, where is your favorite place to go on vacation? My favorite place is Scottsdale, Arizona.

AG � You have good taste. Since I�m on the other side of the country, my first though is Colorado in the Aspen area, I also enjoy the beach.

Jacartist � I think I remember you saying you did some watercolor paintings. Do you still do it? I love to draw and paint. It is so relaxing.

AG � my latest serial passion is acrylics. I agree with you, it is relaxing.

Tdw - are there any songs that you wrote and recorded in the early years that, because of the passage of time, would be difficult to relate to now?

AG � that�s a hard question to answer off the top of my head. I don�t very often listen to old recordings of mine so I�m not sure how to answer that.

Ddfriend � Vince�s new box set is amazing�Just how much influence did you have on those songs? I immediately thought of you when hearing several of the songs, and I have to say I think this is some of Vince�s best work!

AG � I agree. I can�t take any credit, but many nights I fell asleep to the sounds of song writing in the next room. That part of my life is the most precious and hard to describe to anybody. My favorite songs of his are the bluesy, sexy ones.

AdminRod � we have time for a fiew more questions.

Diannacc � has Corrina been introduced to High School Musical on Disney channel yet?

AG � Oh my goodness�she just walked into the room, let me ask her. High School Musical was last fall�s obsession. Her favorite Disney show is �the Suite Life with Zack and Cody�.

Tcureton � Howdy Amy! You and Vince are hockey fans, but what about football? Bears or Colts?

AG � hmmm�I�ve sung the National Anthem at several Bear�s games and cheered them on from the sidelines in Chicago. I�m also from Tennessee; I have to cheer on the UT son Peyton Manning. I think I�m just going to stir the chili, keep the beer chilled, and enjoy this Sunday.

Joe � Hi Amy. The Hollywood Star Ceremony was great day for many of us from FOA who were able to attend. Have you gone back to check it out on your travels out here to So. Cal? (Dasha took great care to clean it thoroughly on her trip out last month).

AG � No way! Hey skinny, thanks for the key chain. I have been to Los Angeles once since then for an art opening of my old head of a&r at a&m records, David Anderle. Didn�t make it by the star.

Helena � Did you know Vince�s readers digest article this month was going to be about you?

AG � No I did not. Excuse me, kid interruption, give me two seconds.

AG � ok, I�m back. I took Millies winter formal dress to be altered and my friend Maggie at stitch-it said the article is very nice. Vince tends to make me sound nicer than I am.

Richardwork � You are so generous to your fans � has your career taken the path you though (or hoped) it would when you started out?

AG � I never thought it would go anywhere. Its all been a bonus.

Angeldi � Hi Amy --- I never knew the joy I could feel watching my 7 month old learn, grow , and explore. Motherhood is amazing. What are your best memories of your children�s baby years?

AG - I loved giving birth�mess and all. That�s a real miracle and I finally got to see their faces after months of loving them blindly, from that point on, its all been an amazing ride.

AG � I have time for two more questions. I�ve got to go tuck Corrina in.

Txsara � any closing words,Amy?

AG � Thank you for taking time to visit tonight. I�m still waiting on suggestions on poets and music. Have your people call my people. I�m going to have lunch with my Mom and Dad tomorrow. They�re in their 70�s, my closing comment would be�if you have a Mom or a Dad, give them a call. Tell them you love them.

SusanFaith � what is your favorite Bible verse?

AG � my favorite Bible verse � let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23.

AG � Sweet dreams. See you next time.