CCA presents acoustic concert: ‘An Evening with Amy Grant’

Often referred to as the ‘Queen of Christian Pop,’ Amy Grant is an American songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress best known for her Christian music. With six Grammy’s, numerous Dove Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and recognition as the first contemporary Christian artist to have a platinum record, Grant is a music icon that has erased borders between genre and faith.

Now, Grant will be performing in the Clayton Center for the Arts’ Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre on Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. Grant will perform a rare acoustical concert with a minimal amount of band members and intimate stage setting. The show will feature her crossover music, with sparse numbers from her Christian selection.

“It is not a Christian show per say, but she does mention her beliefs and performs a song or two from her Christian repertoire,” said Jim Leavy, Grant’s agent. “The show all depends on her that day,” Leavy said.

MC students, college faculty and community members of Maryville were excited to hear of Grant coming. According to CCA director of marketing Cheri Compton, college inhabitants and community members alike have expressed interest and excitement for Grant’s visit.

“It is a wonderful chance we’ve been given to have Grant come,” Compton said. “Considering her full schedule, we are as excited for the chance to have Grant come, as the community is to attend the concert.” Native of Nashville, Tenn., Grant recently visited 20 cities in her 2008 Tour “Lead Me On,” and recently published a memoir called “Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far.”

“Amy Grant lives in Nashville. She is not touring right now, so this is a special concert, considering the close proximity,” Compton said. Both Compton and exec

utive director for the Clayton Center, Robert Hutchens, agree that there were few difficulties with preparation for the upcoming concert. The only difficulty that presented itself was actually booking Grant for a show, according to Hutchens. “It took me over a year to book her,” Hutchens said.For most of 2011, Hutchens waited for Grant to make a commitment to play the Clayton Center. According to Hutchens, one of Grant’s main concerns was the health of one of her parent’s.

“I think that issue was very much in question, and for this reason she was reluctant to commit,” Hutchens said. With 50 to 100 student tickets on reserve, Compton encourages students to take advantage of the opportunity to see and enjoy Grant’s performance.