REPORTER STAFF
Multi-platinum-selling and award-winning recording artist Amy Grant brings her “Lead Me On” 20th anniversary celebration tour to Redmond’s Overlake Christian Church, 9900 Willows Rd. NE, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28.
Tickets are $35-$65, available by calling (360) 696-4558 or visiting www.occ.org.
Twenty years ago, Grant released “Lead Me On,” one of the most popular albums in her 30-year career and one that ushered in a new era of Christian music. In June, she released a special, two-disc 20th anniversary edition of “Lead Me On” and is now traveling to 20 cities to present this music with most of the band members who made the original trek with her.
Joining Grant again this time around will be musicians Jerry McPherson, Chris Rodriguez, Chris Eaton, Greg Morrow, Ken Rarick, Warren Ham and vocalist Donna McElroy (in some markets). The tour kicked off Oct. 16 in Phoenix and concludes near Philadelphia on Nov. 22.
In a press release, Grant confessed that the enduring popularity of the “Lead Me On” album has surprised her.
“When you’re recording, you’re just hoping that someone will listen to it then,” she said. “You’re not thinking about 20 years down the road. At that point, 20 years down the road seemed forever.”
When asked why she thinks the album remains a favorite among both fans and music critics, she responded, “The production was very cutting-edge for its time and I think it aged well. I think the songs are honest and intriguing and I believe the reckless honesty on that record is compelling. … I am truly looking forward to getting out and performing these songs and hope to bring back the passion and inspiration these songs brought out in me and so many.”
This newly-released anniversary edition of “Lead Me On” is fully remastered and includes a bonus CD with 45 minutes of new and previously unreleased content. This includes new acoustic versions of “Lead Me On” with Vince Gill, “Faithless Heart” with Michael W. Smith, “Say Once More,” and four, never-before-heard live tracks from the original 1989 tour.
Grant has also just released “The Christmas Collection.” Her TV special “Holiday Celebration on Ice” will air on NBC on Nov. 30.
Grant also recently partnered with the beauty brand Philosophy and non-profit company Art of Grace to support women’s cancer research. She has recorded a song (“She Colors My Day”) as part of the marketing for a new Philosophy bath product that will help to fund and raise awareness for that cause.
For more information about Amy Grant, visit www.amygrant.com.
