'Amy Grant's Tennessee Christmas - Presented By Hallmark Channel' to Air December 3

"Amy Grant's Tennessee Christmas -- Presented by Hallmark Channel," a one-hour musical special helmed by the multi-platinum-selling singer, songwriter will air Monday, December 3 (8 pm ET). Grant will be joined by husband and fellow Grammy winner Vince Gill, country music and Emmy nominated television star Kellie Pickler and long-time friend, Grammy winner Michael W. Smith for an evening filled with rich performances. Grant will be sharing family Christmas memories and beloved traditions alongside shining a light on the charities that are close to her heart. Among those featured will be Song for Veterans, Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation, Appalachian Relief Fund, World Relief and Barefoot Republic, Grant's own camp for kids. The special is a part of the network's #1-rated programming event, Countdown To Christmas.  

Grant recently stopped by the daytime "go-to" destination Pickler & Ben where she performed "To Be Together" from her most recent Christmas album, Tennessee Christmas. Grant will also appear on CMA Country Christmas (Dec. 10 8 PM ABC) and NPR's Tiny Desk Concert alongside being Woman's World December cover girl.
 
Grant and Gill are soon returning to the famed Ryman Auditorium for an unprecedented twelve-night stand of their beloved Christmas at the Ryman. The resonating holiday tradition is annually sold out and only a few tickets remain for this year's run. Tennessee Christmas (2016) marked her first all-new Christmas album in nearly twenty years and includes original offerings like "To Be Together," "December," "Another Merry Christmas" and "Melancholy Christmas."                 

'Russ Taff: I Still Believe' Fills Theaters Across the Country

Premiering in more than 700 movie theaters nationwide for a one-time special presentation, Fathom Events/Fuseic Entertainment's "Russ Taff: I Still Believe" was the #2 per screen average (PSA) movie in America for the night of October 30, according to data collected by Comscore. With multiple screen sellouts in several cities--including Dallas, Minneapolis, Nashville and Tulsa, Oklahoma--the documentary is one of Fathom Events' top faith-based music-themed presentations.
 
"Russ Taff: I Still Believe" chronicles the Grammy and Dove Award winning artist's unparalleled musical journey and behind-the-scenes battle with alcoholism. Taff candidly reveals how a tumultuous past fueled his own addiction and the ultimate healing he embraced in the power of Christ's love and forgiveness. Immediately following the presentation, theater audiences were treated to a special acoustic session with Taff and Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriters Amy Grant and Steven Curtis Chapman.  

 
 
"I had no idea what it would feel like to sit in a theater with many of the people I love most in this world and watch some of my darkest moments and deepest regrets play out," Taff says of the film's premiere. "What I was completely unprepared for was the wave of unconditional love, compassion, acceptance and encouragement I felt in telling the truth."
 
"Our prayer is that this movie starts a conversation about the impact of addiction and trauma," he adds. "I believe God can use our story to help coax other hurting people out of the shadows--and that is worth every moment of pain it took to get here."
 
"We are humbled and overwhelmed by the response we have received from the movie," said director Rick Altizer, Fuseic Entertainment. "God has done amazing things with this story. We are hearing from people struggling with addictions or marriage issues who saw the film and recognized their own need for help. It took courage for Russ and Tori to be this honest, and their heart to see others find healing is apparent in 'I Still Believe.'"  

In addition, Taff's debut praise and worship recording, Believe, bowed last week. The full-circle, 12-song release is Taff's first recording in more than seven years and is available at physical and digital retailers everywhere.

Amy Grant & Tori Kelly Release New Version of "Baby Baby" on 25th Anniversary

Baby, Baby…can you believe it’s been 25 years since Amy Grant’s album, Heart In Motion, was released? Amy became the first Christian artist to score a #1 hit in the United States when the album’s first single, “Baby Baby”, took the country by storm.

Upon its original release, “Baby Baby” reached No. 1 on both the Top 40 and Billboard Hot 100 charts, while simultaneously hitting top 10 in 10 countries. The album bearing the song (Heart In Motion) garnered four Grammy nominations and was RIAA certified 5x platinum.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of this project, Tori Kelly has recorded a new version of “Baby Baby.” Listen to it below.

Jimi Hendrix and the Greatest Guitar Player Ever: Phil Keaggy

World Magazine recently interviewed Phil Keaggy.

There is an urban legend that either Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix was asked what it felt like to be the greatest guitar player in the world to which they replied, “I don’t know. Go ask Phil Keaggy.”

I’ve heard that story before. Actually, the myth is more popular than I am, the urban legend that it is. No, it was never said by either of them. There are echelons of artists up there. Just like there are classic movies. Then you have “B” movies or you have unusual documentaries over there to the side. I’m kind of like an unusual documentary when it comes to my contribution because I’m just what I am, and I try to do the best I can at what I do. I want to thank God. I want to thank the people who have enjoyed and loved what I’ve done musically, artistically, and, hopefully, in a ministry sense, too.

The myth has nonetheless persisted and I think the reason is it’s one of those stories that could be true. Your fans hear your guitar playing and say, “It’s possible that Phil Keaggy might be the best guitar player in the world.”

I’m certainly one of the guitar players in the world, that’s for sure. When Jimi Hendrix was asked the question, “How does it feel to be the greatest player in the world?” He goes, “Let’s just say I’m the greatest guitar player in this chair.” He was pretty modest and humble about his own assessment of himself. Anybody who is a true musician knows they’re not the greatest at anything. ... The closer you are to the Lord, the more you realize what a sinner you might really, truly be. The closer you get to the light or the closer you get to becoming a great writer, the more you realize how little you know. I’ve always had a pretty realistic assessment of my own gifts and talents. I also know my limitations. I’m limited immediately. I have nine fingers, but I’ve learned how to do some finger style. I have my own picking style but I have a melodic style that I’m really grateful for. There have been times where I might have been driving or I’ll be walking the trails in the park. When I got the iPod on and I listen to books sometimes, and then I’ll let it shuffle into some music. Maybe an old song of mine will come up, maybe an instrumental piece. I’ll go, “Wow! Did I really do that?” I’m some kind of humbled by the gift of music by God. The gift to be able to make music, especially when you draw from a beautiful source. There’s all kinds of music and there’s music that shouldn’t be called music, but we don’t need to go there. Everybody has their tastes. I just know what I like, and I know what I love, and I know what I’m capable of. I don’t try to venture off into places I’m not at least experienced at.

Having been in the Christian music industry for more than 40 years, what’s different today than when you started? 

I’ll tell you what is consistent and what is not different today is the hearts of the artists. I’d rather talk about them than the people that have run the business of Christian music. … Back in the beginning, we didn’t set out to be “CCM artists.” The term didn’t even come until the late ’70s. I guess I would say the artists who love God and devote their music to Him and develop their music and are investing in that, those are the people that I really love. I think that’s what stayed consistent. I know artists who are really big names, and they’re some of the humblest people I know. Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, these guys are very successful—Amy Grant—just incredibly humble people. I can go down the list from those who are from the earliest days to those who I’ve gotten to know who are now popular. The main thing is the message because no one can really bank on a career in this. We were called to be proclaimers whether we do it with words or without words. We’re planted on this Earth to love God, to worship Him, to proclaim Him, and to love one another well. To me, that’s life right there. Love your families, love your husbands, your wives, your children, and if you’re blessed with grandchildren, which someday I’m looking forward to, someday, go for it. Love your neighbor. 

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“The Greatest Night in the History of Contemporary Christian Music”

The “We Will Stand” event is being billed as “The Greatest Night in the History of Contemporary Christian Music” and will be broadcast online live Wednesday, January 21, starting at 6pm CST at live.ccmunited.com. It will also be recorded and released as a DVD and companion CD.

“We Will Stand” features 28 artists including Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Point of Grace, Petra, Steven Curtis Chapman, Russ Taff and many more together with today’s CCM top artists including Francesca Battistelli and Kari Jobe for an evening of hit songs and performances that have changed countless lives for four decades. 

Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas Surges in Album Sales Following CMA Country Christmas Performance

Michael W. Smith knew something special had happened following his performance with Carrie Underwood on the CMA Country Christmas special. "What a moment - it made my hair stand up a little bit!" he said to PEOPLE Magazine backstage at the taping of the show in Nashville. The performance, along with a showering of media praise, led to nearly a 150% increase in album sales this week for his new Christmas project - Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas.

Smith's live performances with Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town helped solidify a Top 4 position on the Billboard Holiday Albums chart. The Spirit of Christmas will remain there this week in the peak of Christmas shopping season amongst Michael Buble, Idina Menzel and Pentatonix. The Christmas project - which also features Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Amy Grant, Jennifer Nettles, Bono and Michael McDonald - broke into the Top 10 Overall Albums on iTunes, helping secure a No. 16 spot on the Billboard 200 and a No. 1 spot on the Billboard Christian/Gospel Albums charts this week.

Hollywood Museum Celebrates Amy Grant and other Christmas Icons

Amy Grant will be honored at Lights, Cameras...Stars! Holidays Hollywood Style, a holiday exhibition at The Hollywood Museum honoring iconic celebrities who have made Christmas a significant part of their careers.

The exhibit opens on Thursday, November 13, with a special ceremony. Amy Grant's 'Christmas Career' will be one of the highlights. She has recorded four Christmas albums, hosted two christmas television specials and toured with the Nashville Symphony on several holiday tours.

Other stars to be showcased at this year's holiday extravaganza include Karen Carpenter, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Perry Como, Nat King Cole, Vera Ellen and Mel Torme, all of whom have become synonymous with Christmas.

Bob Pranga, better known as ‘Dr. Christmas...Tree Stylist to the Stars’ is decorating for both the museum and this event said, “because all of these stars have been at the very heart of our Christmas experience, this provides a great opportunity for families to come and experience the magic of Christmas with a little Hollywood glitter, because everyone loves the holidays, and everyone loves Hollywood, it’s a perfect combination.”

The Hollywood Museum, the official museum of Hollywood, has the most extensive collection of Hollywood memorabilia in the world. The museum, featuring four floors of breathtaking exhibits, is home to more than 10,000 authentic show biz treasures– one of a kind costumes, props, photographs, scripts, stars’ car collections and personal artifacts, posters, and vintage memorabilia from favorite films and TV shows. The museum also showcases the history of Hollywood and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Michael W. Smith to Perform with Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town on CMA Country Christmas special

Three-time GRAMMY® winner Michael W. Smith will perform on the CMA Country Christmas special to air on ABC on Monday, December 1 at 8/7c. Smith will perform two tracks off of his top-selling Christmas album - Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas - and joining him on stage will be CMA Awards host Carrie Underwood and the newly inducted Grand Ole Opry members Little Big Town. Smith made his CMA Country Christmas debut in 2013, performing with host Jennifer Nettles. Smith will perform his original song "All Is Well" with Underwood and the beloved Christmas classic "Silent Night" with Little Big Town. The 2014 CMA Country Christmas special will also feature performances by Leann Rimes, Idina Menzel, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Steven Tyler and more.

Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas released only a few short weeks ago, quickly hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Holiday Albums chart. The album features a plethora of A-list guests - including the aforementioned Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town, as well as Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Amy Grant, Jennifer Nettles, Bono and Michael McDonald. Huffington Post led the critical praise, calling the album an early "favorite Yuletide effort" and an instant "Christmas classic."

Bono and Other A-List Stars Join Michael W. Smith on New Christmas Record

Three-time Grammy winner Michael W. Smith announced the September 30 release of Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas, featuring an all-star lineup of guests - Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Amy Grant, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Nettles, Bono and Michael McDonald.

Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas is Smith's fourth Christmas project, following the successful releases of Michael W. Smith Christmas (1989), Christmastime (1998) and It's A Wonderful Christmas (2007).

"This is the most unique and unusual record I've ever done in my 31-year career. The entire record was sequenced together before we recorded one song," recalls Smith. "Sonically you're hearing me in a way that you've probably never heard me before. At one point it's like Smitty meets Bublé. There's my granddaughter's voice singing the song from 'Home Alone,' plus the whole orchestral and symphonic feeling of Christmas, mixed together with all these amazing voices and guests - yet it all fits together in a remarkable way."

Eager to create a one-of-a-kind project to be played at Christmastime for years to come, Smith and co-producer Robert Deaton were inspired by the original Carpenters Christmas album, wanting nostalgia to hit listeners right at the top of the record. Thematically, the album is uniquely divided into three sections, creating an overall arc to the recording. Beginning with the childlike and wintry aspects of the start of the Christmas season, the collection evolves with songs and instrumentation reflecting the true meaning of Christmas with the celebration of family and faith, concluding with what Christmas brought to the world, the birth of Jesus.

Music for Your Holiday Season: Don't Miss These Best Ever Albums

Amended and expanded list based on new releases and continued consumption:

25 Best Christmas CDs of All Time

25. Bryan Duncan - A Nehosoul Christmas
24. Harry Connick Jr. - When My Heart Finds Christmas
23. Michael McDonald - In the Spirit
22. Relient K - Let It Snow Baby... Let It Reindeer
21. Jewel - Joy: A Holiday Collection
20. Faith Hill - Joy to the World
19. BarlowGirl - Home for Christmas
18. MercyMe - The Christmas Sessions
17. Jars of Clay - Christmas Songs
16. Amy Grant - A Christmas Album
15. Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song
14. Michael W. Smith - Christmas
13. Bing Crosby - White Christmas
12. Ginny Owens - Bring Us Peace
11. Elvis Presley - It's Christmas Time
10. Russ Taff - A Christmas Song
9. Avalon - Joy
8. Downhere - How Many Kings? Songs for Christmas
7. Vince Guaraldi - A Charlie Brown Christmas
6. Steven Curtis Chapman - The Music of Christmas
5. Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas
4. Amy Grant - Home for Christmas
3. Jaci Valesquez - Christmas
2. Michael W. Smith - Christmastime
1. Bryan Duncan - Christmas is Jesus

Honorable mentions:
Various - Christmas (1988 Sparrow compilation)
Matthew West - The Heart of Christmas

Amy Grant Appears on Katie Tomorrow

Amy Grant will appear on the talk show Katie tomorrow. Hosted by veteran TV personality Katie Couric, Grant will discuss the holiday season, her family and her new album How Mercy Looks From Here which released earlier this year. Grant will also perform her cherished holiday classic, "Tennessee Christmas."

Recognizing the Best in Christian Music: Dove Awards Airs on UP Tonight

Hosted by Amy Grant & Kirk Franklin, the Dove Awards airs tonight at 8 PM ET on UP and features performances by NEEDTOBREATHE, TobyMac, Michael W. Smith, Newsboys, Gaither Vocal Band, Jason Crabb, Tamela Mann and more.

Presenters include Candace Cameron Bure, Rusty & Julie Bulloch, Pastor Rick Warren, Joyce Meyer, Brandon Heath, Chonda Pierce, David Mann, Isaac Carree, Jaci Velasquez, Lecrae, Bart Millard (MercyMe), Mandisa and Montell Jordan.

Amy Grant and Kirk Franklin To Host The Dove Awards

The GMA announces Amy Grant and Kirk Franklin as hosts for the 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards. The awards show will take place on October 15 in Nashville, Tennessee. The show will be broadcast on Monday, October 21st at 8:00pm ET exclusively on UP.

In addition to the awards show host, past Dove Award winners and nominees, Gaither Vocal Band, Michael W. Smith, Tamela Mann and TobyMac are the first announced performers.

The first round of presenters confirmed includes Jaci Velasquez, Lecrae and Pastor Rick Warren.

Amy Grant to Appear on The View and Fox and Friends

On June 20, six-time Grammy award winner Amy Grant will appear on ABC's "The View" to perform her next single "If I Could See." The appearance kicks off the beginning of a national television media blitz for Grant in support of her first studio record in a decade, How Mercy Looks From Here. Additionally, she will take to the outdoor plaza stage, performing on "Fox and Friends" June 22 and appear on ABC's lifestyle show "The Chew" on July 19.

How Mercy Looks From Here debuted at No. 1 on the Christian Soundscan and No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album has been declared by critics as a "vibrant," "glowing production" and one of the "best albums of the year."

Amy Grant's Album, How Mercy Looks From Here, Debuts at No. 12 on the Billboard 200

On the heels of receiving some of the best reviews of her 30+ year career, six time GRAMMY® winner Amy Grant has even more to celebrate as her first full length album in 10 years, How Mercy Looks From Here, has garnered her a No. 12 debut on the Billboard 200, scanning over 26,000 units.

"Amy Grant has delivered a beautiful record of compelling songs that document her life experiences over the past decade since her last studio record," remarked Peter York President, Capitol CMG Label Group. "It's an authentic album of songs she's written that allow the listener to peer deeply into her heart and connect emotionally with her journey. It must be heard to be appreciated and I would encourage all to taste and see."

Following an extensive press and radio tour last week that included CBS This Morning, NPR's Weekend Edition, People.com, Morning Joe on MSNBC, WOR Radio with Rita Cosby, FUSE NEWS and more, Grant will make tour stops in the UK starting May 25, with previously filmed interviews airing next week on Lifetime TV shows "The Balancing Act" (5/28) and "Hollywood Watch" (5/31). Additionally, Grant is also scheduled to appear on the popular ABC daytime shows The View (6/20) and The Chew (7/19), while more critical acclaim for the project continues to roll in:

"Few singers probe issues of the spirit and of the heart with the warmth and intimacy of Amy Grant.….With a voice as organic and comforting as a wool sweater, Grant shows maturity by relying on her voice's amber tones and subtle phrasing without showing off or pushing any edges…..however we look at time, we should make the best of this moment - which is what Grant does on How Mercy Looks From Here." -Associated Press

John Elefante of Kansas Fame Returns with New Album

John Elefante is back with a new solo album, "On My Way to the Sun" to be released May 7th.

The 4 time Grammy Award winner is best known for his time as the lead vocalist for the multi-platinum rock outfit Kansas. And fans will be delighted to find that the opening track, "This Is How The Story Goes," reunites Elefante with former Kansas bandmates Rich Williams and David Ragsdale.

"Lyrically, I have more inside me that I need to say, more I need to express and convey than ever before," says Elefante of what just may be the most personal project of his career. One of the album's highlights is the song, "This Time," which tells the story of a young teen's divine encounter at an abortion clinic that ultimately leads her to save her baby. The somewhat autobiographical song touches close to home for Elefante, whose adopted daughter was rescued from abortion.

"This is one the easiest songs I have ever written," says Elefante. "I was able to put myself in the place and time where my daughter was so close to being aborted. It was so divinely vivid to me because this story was meant to be told. I don't know all of the fine details but I do know that on that day God said, 'No! You're not taking this one - This Time.'"

In addition to Kansas and his solo work, Elefante's extensive resume includes writing and performance contributions on more than 100 albums that shaped popular American music. In 1993, Elefante and his brother Dino founded The Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tennessee, which quickly became the largest recording studio in the southeast and an instant draw for such top acts as Bruce Springsteen, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Natalie Grant, Amy Grant, Keith Urban, Third Day, Jewel, Jimmy Buffett, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley and many more.

Pepsi Presenting Sponsor for Inaugural K-Love Fan Awards

K-LOVE, the leading Christian radio network with a weekly listenership of over 13 million people, is bringing the first ever fan-voted award show in Christian music history to Nashville. The K-LOVE Fan Awards will be held on Saturday, June 1st at 7:30pm at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium.

Starting today through May 31 fans can vote for their favorite nominees at KLOVEFanAwards.com  in categories celebrating artists, athletes, authors and entertainers who, with excellence engage and impact popular culture for Jesus Christ. Leading artist nominees are TobyMac and Newsboys with three nominations each. See below for the complete list of nominees in each category.

Nominees were determined by K-LOVE with consideration given to airplay, spins, impact and overall performance. Winners are solely determined by fan vote online. The winners will be announced at the awards show hosted by the stars from A&E TV's popular show "Duck Dynasty," Phil and Kay Robertson and Jase and Missy Robertson. A&E's top show surpassed "American Idol" ratings last week during the "Duck Dynasty" finale.

Performers already slated are fan favorites TobyMac, MercyMe, Amy Grant, Third Day, Newsboys, Casting Crowns, NEEDTOBREATHE, Steven Curtis Chapman, Matthew West and many more.

In addition to the unprecedented list of performers, sport figures set to attend the special evening include Mike Fisher (Nashville Predators), Barrett Jones (Two-time National Champion from Alabama), Jason Hanson (21-year Detroit Lions kicker), Alfred Morris (Washington Redskins) and Hugh Freeze (Head football coach from the University of Mississippi). Representing the movie impact category will be Kirk Cameron (Monumental, Fireproof), Alex Kendrick (Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous) and David Evans (The Grace Card).

In honor of the awards, Pepsi will be launching their Christian Artist Can Panel series at the weekend's events. The four artists that will be featured include Matt Maher (Dr. Pepper), Francesca Battistelli (Diet Pepsi), Matthew West (Pepsi), and TobyMac (Mountain Dew). Each artist will be featured on three million cans for a total of 12 million cans - 12 million new ways to change lives. On each can a link will be featured to receive a free download from each artist.

In addition to the presenting sponsor, the official charity sponsor has been revealed as World Vision.

Amy Grant: My Faith Has Enlarged

Amy Grant is a six-time GRAMMY winner and has sold more than 30 million albums over three decades. But after arriving home from touring in 2008 and seeing how frail her mother was, Amy cleared her calendar to take care of her. Her mother died last year and now she is focusing on caring for her father, who is still living with dementia.

Watch clips of Amy Grant on Katie.

Amy Grant To Appear on Katie

Multi-platinum selling, GRAMMY® winning superstar Amy Grant will make an appearance on the highly rated talk show, Katie, on Fri., Oct. 19. Katie is the No. 1 new talk show on television and is helmed and hosted by veteran TV personality Katie Couric.

Many know Grant her for her iconic 30-year career, but in recent years, she’s been caring for her father who is struggling with dementia. On this episode of Katie, she opens up about this intensely personal, challenging and rewarding experience, a situation 42 million other Americans are also in as they provide care for their aging loved ones. She will perform the world premiere of a new song she wrote, “How Mercy Looks From Here,” inspired by this experience.

Grant is wrapping her three-month weekend run with “Women of Faith” at the beginning of November, where she has headlined the tour also featuring Mandisa, Patsy Clairmont, Mark Lowry and others. Soon thereafter, she will embark on a holiday tour, including select dates featuring symphony-backed performances. In addition, Grant and husband Vince Gill will bring their popular “Twelve Days of Christmas” show to the Ryman stage for “Christmas at the Ryman” three nights this December. This marks the sixth year the couple—who celebrated their twelfth wedding anniversary this year—has performed the holiday special.

Currently at work on a new project, Grant will release her first studio album in three years in early 2013.

Best Female Christian Vocalist of All Time

Half a decade ago, I shared my thoughts on who I thought were the best female Christian vocalists of all time.

Criteria include song quality, vocal prowess, ability to play an instrument and/or craft a song, and of course my personal bias...

An updated list:

10. Nichole Nordeman

9. Crystal Lewis

8. Margaret Becker

7. Natalie Grant

6. Mandisa

5. Ginny Owens

4. Britt Nicole

3. Jaci Velasquez

2. Joy Williams

1. Amy Grant

Honorable Mentions:

Francesca Battistelli

Lisa Bevill

Christine Dente (Out of the Grey)

Brooke Fraser

Rachael Lampa

Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer)

Rebecca St. James

Kathy Troccoli

Thoughts?