Christian-pop artist Amy Grant got her start as teen. It’s a story probably never heard before in the music business: Grant wrote her first song at age 15, recorded a demo with her church youth-leader as was offered a recording contract. That math again: One song. First try. Bam.
But, although Grant’s career has been studded with successes (six Grammy wins, mainstream crossover success including No. 1 hits on the pop charts, and covers by the likes of Donna Summer and Jessica Simpson), there have also been controversies. Grant’s turn to pop alienated some of her Christian fans, her return to Gospel alienated some of her pop fans and her divorce and remarriage were even harder for some fans to swallow. Still, at the end of the day, Grant has sold over 30 million albums and for good reason: She’s got a golden voice.
This year’s “How Mercy Looks From Here” is her 17th studio album and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Albums chart. “With modern hits ‘Better than a Hallelujah’, ‘Hard Times’ and ‘She Colours My Day’; Amy’s transition throughout the decades to incorporate pop rock and light acoustics in her music as well as the balance between Christian and mainstream music is done quite nicely,” wrote Indie Vision Music in a review. The album includes collaborations with James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Eric Paslay, Will Hoge and Carole King.
Grant performs at the UNC Asheville Kimmel Arena on Friday, Nov. 15. 7:30 p.m., $35/$55. The performance benefits MANNA Foodbank. “If we sell the concert out the total that Manna will receive should be at least $10,000, that will provide 30,000 meals to people in need of help in our community this holiday season,” concert producer Mark Fields said in a press release. “In addition to the money that will be raised, Manna is inviting attendees to bring cans or boxes of food or even a frozen turkey for thanksgiving to the concert, there will large bins and Manna Representatives at the doors to receive food donations from the attendees.”
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