June 4, 2010 — it seems impossible to believe that spring is nearly over and summer is on almost here. The days are indeed longer and the heat is on! I love summer for all of its weekend get togethers with friends and family, fresh fruit and veggies, and great music blasting from the stereo speakers.

As you know, the Flood of 2010 that occurred in Nashville and surrounding communities was a devastating natural disaster. So many people lost their homes and belongings. Some lost loved ones and pets. Having grown up in Southern California I have lived through several big earthquakes, but nothing prepared me for the impact and damage of the flood. Although my home was unscathed, several of my friends and their families lost almost everything. It has been heartbreaking to experience and yet at the same time it has been so inspiring to see people pull together and help loved ones and strangers. I can not remember a time I have ever been as proud to live in Tennessee as I have been in the past month — the “volunteer spirit” runs deep in our veins and it has made all the difference in the world.

Amy has done several benefits for flood relief. She participated in both our local Channel 2 and Channel 4 flood telethons. She and Vince donated a total of $150,000 to the telethons to go to flood relief offered through The Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Feed America. (Although Amy has always been very private about her personal giving, she allowed us to publicize this particular gift because she was hopeful that other individuals would be inspired to give as much as they could afford) She also participated in Brandon Heath’s “Love Your Neighbor” benefit which raised over $60,000 to help rebuild the “El Shaddai Church” of Nolensville. She also volunteered to help try to salvage and clean the belongings of some dear friends whose house was lost in the flood. As I watched her do so much I was reminded of the lyric from “Find What You’re Looking For” that says:

“what would they find
if they searched for a heart of gold?
they’d find sacrifices of
time and of money never told.”

But the work continues. On June 22, Amy will be joining Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and several others for the “Nashville Rising” concert at the Bridgestone Arena. All proceeds from that evening will be designated for flood relief through the Community Fund of Middle Tennessee. Tickets sold out in about 15 minutes. It promises to be a great night of music and inspiration for our community.

The weekend after the flood, Amy’s “I Do” daughter, Jenny Gill, married her longtime companion, Josh VanValkenburg, got married in Amy and Vince’s backyard. The weather was perfect and the setting was something out of a fairy tale. Jenny was a stunning bride and Vince was beaming from ear to ear as he walked her down the aisle. It was a night of friends, family and celebration.

Amy only has a handful of concert dates in the next few months, but August through December are going to be very busy. We are very excited about the “Pieces Of Our Lives” tour with Compassion International. It promises to be a very special and intimate night of music in very special venues. Amy was so inspired by her trip to Africa last summer and asked to partner with Compassion in a new and unique way.

“Better Than A Hallelujah” is continuing to climb the Christian charts. We are so excited with the response of this song and believe there is still a lot of upward momentum for the song. Last week Amy shot a video of the song that should be premiered in the next couple of weeks. The director took a very unique approach to crafting a “film like” storyline for the video and we are excited to see the final results.

Again, as always, I say thank you to all of you for continuing to support Amy’s music. She often says that this is the sweetest stretch of life she has ever known and she loves the balance she is discovering of making new music, touring with dear friends, and also spending focused time at home.

Blessings to you and yours…

Jen

since the release of “Somewhere Down The Road,” and it has been a busy month at that.

First, what a humbling experience for Amy and for me to read so many of the comments from people who are being touched by this collections of songs. Honestly, it is the personal connection of music to listener that makes me wake up every day and get excited about what I do for a living. I love hearing the stories and testimonies. I’ve heard so many people relate to the sentiment in “Better Than A Hallelujah,” or in the age old truths about the passage of time in the song “Overnight.” I’ve received personal emails from people who feel like “Come Into My World” was written specifically for them, and other emails telling me how either “Somewhere Down The Road” or “Imagine” were played at loved ones funerals.

Thank you to those who took the time to write. Although I can’t say we read every single comment or letter, we did read most of them and we cried, laughed, and felt inspired by your stories. So thank you.

And, ok, let’s talk about reviews — they have been terrific for this project!!! Better than I expected – and I always expect the best! So many reviewers seemed to really take this project as a whole and look at each song as a stepping stone in the journey of life, each one somehow connected to the next. That was how we sequenced the record and what we hoped for, but I can honestly say I am surprised at how many critics totally got what we were attempting to do with this record. If you haven’t already picked up a copy of “Worship Leader” magazine, you need to check it out. The review of “SDTR” is one of my alltime favorite reviews.

So April is coming to a close…quickly. We’ve been out on the road promoting and touring, Amy has done a slew of interviews, and we’ve seen our fair share of buses and airplanes. It feels good to be home this week without another trip on the immediate horizon.

Next up for Amy will be shooting a video for “Better Than A Hallelujah” as well as continuing to promote the new album. However, she is also taking some well deserved time off to stick close to home for Jenny Gills wedding as well as Mother’s Day with her mom and kids, and the end of the school year for Sarah and Corrina. She is flying to Tucson in the middle of the month to partake in her dear friend Cindy Parseghian’s “One More Victory, Ara” benefit for Neimann Pick Type C. If you aren’t familiar with Cindy’s story, I urge you to visit www.parseghian.org to learn more about this tender yet brave family.

In addition to her new album, Amy is also continuing to help spread the word about the “She Colors My Day” initiative for the Woman’s Cancer Research Fund and Susan G. Koman organization. If you haven’t already purchased your copy of the song, you should consider checking it out on itunes. All artist and publishing proceeds are being donated to cancer research.

And speaking of good causes, Amy has taped a Mother’s Day PSA for The American Red Cross that will be seen on the internet and television as we approach this sweet holiday honoring our mom’s. If you don’t know what to do for your mom this year, consider making a financial or blood donation to the American Red Cross in her honor. Truly it is the gift that keeps on giving.

We’ve added some new tour dates to the calendar as well so check out the tour page on the website. And for those of you who keep asking — YES, there will be an Amy and Vince Christmas tour this year. Cities to be announced soon. Ho! Ho! Ho!

So as you can see — busy time, but also a great stretch. We are invested in projects we care deeply about and appreciate all of your support.

Blessings to you and yours!

Jen

A few weeks ago I discovered a video on youtube that someone made to the song “Better Than A Hallelujah.”  I watched the video with tears in my eyes and was blown away that someone had taken time from their own busy life to create such a moving companion piece to the song.  However, they were using a version of the song that was not a final approved version so the video was disabled by EMI.  However, after a few discussions, EMI allowed the video to be put back up as long as the creator used the correct version of the song.

I showed the video to Amy today and she loved it and asked that I share it with all of you.  We hope you enjoy the experience as much as we do, and if you do — pass it on!

A special thanks to the video creator, Sherry Menely, for sharing her talents with all of us.

Thanks,

Jennifer

Better Than A Hallelujah on You Tube

Wow, what a great week!  Amy and I have been on the road since last Sunday visiting several cities and meeting really incredible people every step of the way.

Thanks to so many of you who came out to meet her, who rushed out to buy the project this week, who have been our cheerleaders, and who have prayed for our safety and endurance.  We both so appreciate your support.

The response to the record has been stellar.  Below are a few quotes from reviewers that you might find interesting and exciting.   In addition to all the official promotion by the label, one of the most important things that can happen for this record is for it to become a “word of mouth” recommendation from music buyer to music buyer.  So please spread the word…

Thanks again for all of your support.  We couldn’t do it without all of you!

Blessings,

Jen

———————————-

What the critics are saying about Amy Grant’s Somewhere Down the Road…

“These songs sound right for today’s Grant. Somewhere Down the Road once again bravely broaches the here and now with candor while also pointing out hope on the other side. For the music world, Amy Grant is a treasure. This record seconds that notion.”

– Christianity Today

“She’s back and better than ever…”

– Ladies Home Journal

“This is a soothing set of inspirational pop, as the pure-voiced Grant exudes a simple warmth on tracks…”

– People magazine

“With the fine music that’s found on, Somewhere Down the Road, Amy Grant once again proves why she’s been able to not only survive but thrive in a music industry that likes to offer up flavor-of-the-day types of artist that are here today and gone tomorrow.”

– Breathecast.com

“Real, honest, and beautifully done, Somewhere Down the Road is a story worth hearing again and again.”

– JesusFreakHideout.com

“I truly enjoyed every song on the album…”

– ChristianMusicReview.org

“Amy’s music shines bright as simplified, polished, honest stories that you can embrace, and her first new album in seven (7!) years is no different… Let’s hope this is the start of renewed passion in her illustrious career.”

– NewReleaseTuesday.com

“If you’re already a fan of Grant’s music, you’ll be excited to have the new tunes. If this is your first introduction to Grant, I’m confident you’ll become a fellow Granthead.”

– Nashville Parent online

And, what bloggers are saying…

“I really liked this CD.  I agree with the above statement that this is a CD about a journey- a great one.  My personal favorites:  ‘Unafraid,’ ‘Hard Times,’ ‘Third World Woman’ and ‘Find What You’re Looking For.’” – MommyPR.com, from a mother’s perspective

“The emotion she puts into her singing pulls in the listener. When I listen to this CD, I am listening to music, period. It transcends categorization.” – AutismLearningFelt.com, from a mother’s persective

“Seven years is WAY TOO LONG to wait for new Amy Grant music, but she made it worth the wait!” – Accidental Mommies.com, from a mother’s perspective

“Amy, once again, thirty years later, you’ve done it, you’ve reminded me that God loves me through every step of my life and he loves me on a personal and intimate way. Thank you for that.” – ExtantMagazine.com

“Amy Grant’s new CD, Somewhere Down the Road is alive with songs that reach out and touch the heart of the listener. She captures the essence of woman in this CD and she delivers it flawlessly.” – CountryMusicTattleTale.com

Best wishes for a wonderful Easter Sunday.  I hope it is a day filled with love and hope eternal for you and yours…