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Part II FOA #30 February 1997 Contents: ---------- A New FOA Staff Member New Rates Announcement Photos From Ruth McGinnis' wedding day Amy's Q&A Ordering info. BONUS: Ruth McGinnis Referral Sheet, e-version only! ---------- PAGE 6 WELCOME JERI MELTON! I am so pleased to officially introduce you to Jeri, our new Data Manager! I have known Jeri for 12 years and she has helped me with your correspondence in seasons of "letter abundance" on several occasions. You may have met Jeri and her husband, Bob, if you attended our gathering at The Wildhorse. With Jeri's expertise and enthusiasm, I know we can serve you even better and more efficiently than ever before. (PHOTO 26: "Preparing to open the doors of The Wildhorse...Lori, Jeri, Bob and Stephen McAlister (Husband). Photo by Steve Lowry) Family Business: NEW RATES NEW RATES NEW RATES NEW RATES NEW RATES As of May 1, 1997, the annual subscription rate for the FOA newsletters will be $10/year US $12 Canada/Mexico $15 the rest of the known world. WHY? You may ask.. We are making some changes on this end that we hope you will be able to appreciate and enjoy. With this issue, we have upgraded the paper stock to improve photo quality. We will also be doing at least one issue per year with a full color center spread. I've got some other plans "up my sleeve" and we'll be unveiling those as the year progresses... All in all, I think you'll find it more worthwhile than ever to be a "Friend of Amy". ----- Ruth's Wedding - as we promised... Saturday, September 21, 1996 "Greetings everyone! I hope you are all off to a healthy, happy start to 1997. As I am currently buried under a quickly approaching book deadline, I am making a photo contribution in lieu of a health/fitness article. I look forward to writing more for you in a future issue of FOA. Best wishes and good health until then!" - Ruth McGinnis (Photo 27: This wedding dress was made and worn by my grandmother in her own wedding in Wisconsin in 1913. John and I recreated my grandparents' wedding portrait here.) (Photo 28: Amy & Sarah helping us "set up" the shot) (Photo 29: Gary Chapman (best man), Ruth & John and Amy.) (Photo 30: "Did I really say "obey"?") -------------------- PAGE 7 Amy's Q&A 1. So where are you on the album project and when will it be out? Just about everyone in the known world! As I write this response, I am officially finished with the recording of my record. April of 1995 was the month I recorded the first batch of songs and February 1997 the last overdub was done. This has been a long and rewarding haul for me. And I am confident that my mom and at least a handful of friends plan to purchase the final product. Beyond that - I have no predictions as far as sales or the perceived "success" of this project. From beginning to end, it has been a songwriter/artist's dream. 30 songs were recorded, critiqued, many thrown out, a few reworked, and finally - the favorites completed and polished up. The release date is late June (although we are still in hopes of pushing it up to a late May release). 2. How much creative control does Amy have over her projects? Is it 100% or how is it divided between management and label and producers? Veronica - Salem, MA As with any project - what makes it work is having the right group of people involved. Do I have 100% creative control? Yes and no. Yes - I pick the songs, write most of them, sing the songs... But, no - I do not play the instruments, except a little guitar work. I do not set up the marketing plan. I bring my creative talents to the table and I am joined by a producer (in this case Wayne Kirkpatrick and Keith Thomas) who bring their skills to the table and record companies (A&M and Myrrh) who bring their abilities to the table, etc. I think we make a great team. 3. I'm an aspiring songwriter.. and I was curious if the songs Amy writes start as lyrics first and then the music, or vice versa? Harold - Kent, WA Songs that I write usually start with music or simultaneously music and lyrics. I'll sing an idea for a chorus or a verse. Then I'll work to shape music that goes somewhere - that builds in some way. Lyrics take longer to develop and are written to fit the music. I have never written music to a pre existing lyric that I thought turned out very good. Some people are great at that. I am not. 4. When you set out to make a record, do you have a particular goal in mind for the project? Do you think about what people might want to hear, or is it just an exercise in expressing what's on your mind? (I enjoy them all - just curious about your process.) Do you have a particular hope for your current project? Ben - Juniper, WY I think of a project in terms of a collection of songs - each standing alone, each capturing a thought, a feeling, a moment in a genuine way. That's all. My hope for this record was that nothing felt contrived or gimmicky. These are real feelings about real people - not all about me, but real none-the- less. 5. Name the person that you have been most honored to meet. Jenny - Defiance,OH There have been several - none of whom you would know because they are not famous. I was honored to meet them because I was so moved by the way they lived life that my life was enriched. One was a girl named Sarah Trombley. Another is a young girl named Stephanie. I think she will be a writer - she has an amazing mind. Another was a girl named Laura. The list goes on and on... 6. When was the moment you first realized that God loved you and that you believed it was true? Donna - Trenton, NJ I have always been the most profoundly aware of God's love when... I am caught in an awful situation that I have engineered, when I have failed, when I have sinned, when I am wrong and still find mercy and love extended to me - either through a friend, or a family member, or in the words of the Bible. When did that first happen? Maybe I was 6 or so - all the way up until today. 7. How do you manage to remove yourself from the opinions,thoughts, & criticism of others? I've admired the way you make choices creatively as an artist, in the midst of a very watchful (& too often, suspicious) world. Do people's opinions have an effect on you emotionally? Michael - Pasadena, CA Some people's thoughts I welcome, their criticisms too - because I trust them. They are my friends. I don't believe much of what I read in the press about anybody because I know first hand how that machine operates. It is a business. I steer clear of the internet and I do not ask to be caught up on gossip. Life is meant to be appreciated, enjoyed, experienced. I do my best to do that. Some one else's opinion about how I do that is just that - their opinion. 8. You always look so calm and peaceful, serene and happy. As a 33 year old part time working mom, I often am very harried-looking and feel overwhelmed. Do you have moments like that? When do they come on? What do you do? Susan - Auburn, CA Trust me - I get as worn out as the next working mom. The reason I get so much done and still look peaceful is that I get a lot of help. My natural pace is sort of slow and meandering. 9. I was wondering how you communicate the rather abstract "real" meaning of Easter to your kids? We hide eggs for ours, but how do you get the Easter message across to a two or three year old? Amy - Columbus, OH We hide eggs, too. I don't try to tie the egg thing in with Jesus' resurrection. They are not really connected. Just tell them Jesus lives. A 2 or 3 year old probably doesn't grasp "death" yet. The good news that Jesus is alive stands alone. (Photo 31: Amy sitting at the kitchen table working on questions. Photo by Lori Mc) ----------- PAGE 8 Back cover The order information for subscriptions, photos and information that we make available can be obtained by sending an email to: [email protected] Friends of Amy is pleased to be affiliated with the International Fan Club Organization (IFCO) since 1996. Friends of Amy Staff: Director of Fan Relations: Lori McAlister Correspondence Assistant: Mary Chapman Data Manager: Jeri Melton ----------- FRONT FLAP (Photo 32: "Father and daughter together on stage for a Tennessee Christmas. See inside to find out why..." Photo by Steve Hill) "This newsletter is printed on paper stock with 50% recycled content using soy-based ink. We also recycle the stationary from an average of 500 fan letters received each month. F.O.A. - working to be Friends of the Earth, too." --------- --------- BONUS: Ruth McGinnis "Fit As A Fiddle" recommendations for the new year! FIT AS A FIDDLE by Ruth McGinnis Greetings everyone! I hope you are all off to a healthy, happy start to 1997. As I am currently buried under a quickly approaching book deadline, I will share some of my favorite resources for healthy lifestyle choices in lieu of a health/fitness "article". These are products and methods I've enjoyed and recommend to my clients: The "University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter" - This is a great little monthly publication that covers timely health and medical subjects with an open minded, positive approach backed by solid research. A year's subscription costs $24.00 and can be ordered by writing to University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter, Subscription Department, P O Box 420160, Palm Coast, FL 32142 "The Complete Guide to Exercise Videos" by Collage Videos - This is the best guide for choosing an exercise video that's right for you. Before any video is considered for this catalogue, it is done (physically) by two staffers at Collage. Each video is described in full, rated, and each segment timed. You really know what you are getting. Collage also carries many videos (like mine) that aren't widely available in stores. Call 1-800-433-6769 to have a catalogue sent to you. "The Learn Program for Weight Control" by Kelly D. Brownell, PhD - For those of you who have an ongoing battle with weight control, this is a wonderful resource. The manual ($22.95 plus shipping and handling) and the audio cassettes ($24.95 plus shipping and handling) deliver a no- nonsense, compassionate program that gets result that last. If you are serious about dropping some pounds and developing good eating and living habits, you will love this program. To order, call 1-800-736 7323. The Original "Pezzi" Gymnastic Ball - One of my favorite pieces of equipment, and one that every client I've ever worked with is familiar with. If you are looking for a way to spice up your exercise routine, this is a great investment. Most people can use the green 65 cm ball, shorter folks might want to get the 53 cm orange ball. I would recommend ordering the manual and/or the beginners workout video at the same time. Since I order these in bulk, I don't know the price for single orders. But you can call 1-800-393-7255 (EB Products, Inc.) to find out. Helpful hint: get a needle valve and go to the gas station to blow it up. The needle valve fits inside the blowing up gadget that comes with the ball. I hope some of these suggestions resonate with you! Good luck with all your health/wellness endeavors! Back to the News Index Saturday, February 22, 1997 Here it is - the new and improved version of my compilation of best sources of "Amy stuff", the Amy Access-ography! You can receive this documents automatically by sending a "dummy" email to: [email protected] It is by far the best place to start if you have any questions. Of course, any questions that doesn't answer for you - you can always write to me here. BTW - this mailing list is at nearly 4,000 subscribers at this point! About 100 new addresses are being added each day. (sorta sounds like something out of the book of Acts...) Also BTW - You can now check out all those Dove nominees at www.netcentral.net. Our congrats to Mr. Gary for making the list again this year! Enjoy! -Lori Mc ------------- ------------------------------------------------------- N E T C E N T R A L FRIENDS OF AMY [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for requesting information about AMY GRANT! We appreciate your interest in and support of her work. PLEASE NOTE: Emails sent to this address ARE NOT READ by a real live person. After you read this information, if you have further questions or comments, you are welcome to write to Lori McAlister at the email address listed below. Amy remains steadfastly computer illiterate maintaining that "ignorance is bliss". FRIENDS OF AMY (FOA) was established by Amy, is administered and participated in by Amy and seeks to respond on Amy's behalf as nearly like she would if she could actually field all her own correspondence. Lori McAlister has been a part of FOA since 1985, coordinates reading and responding to fan letters and is the current on-line representative. ------------------------------------------------------- ============================= AMY GRANT'S ONLINE ACCESS-OGRAPHY ============================= Here's everything that's online about Amy! --------------------------------- EMAIL --------------------------------- Best email address to use. (Read and responded to by Lori McAlister) [email protected] --------------------------------- INTERNET MAILING LIST --------------------------------- NetCentral hosts an official Amy Grant mailing list -- the only official source of Amy Grant history and happenings sent right to your mail box! This list is one-way only, and is is moderated by Lori Mc of FOA. Any and all newsflashes, announcements and itineraries that are posted to the internet newsgroups are also sent to subscribers of this list. There are occasionally some exclusive notes sent to our dedicated emailing list that are not posted to the newsgroups. These posts are made as frequently as activity on this end calls for. Electronic transcripts of FOA newsletters, published in February, June and October, will also be posted to this list. TO SUBSCRIBE ------------ 1.) Send Internet email to: Send an e-mail message to: [email protected] Use the words "subscribe" or "join" in the subject line. No message necessary to subscribe. If you need help subscribing, just put "HELP" in the Subject of your message instead. For info on NetCentral's other mailing lists, send a blank email message to: [email protected]. To see if we are currently running a mailing list promotion and check out what neat stuff we might be giving away, go to the contest page at www.netcentral.net --------------------------------- USENET --------------------------------- Updates are posted as frequently as activity calls for to these newsgroups: rec.music.artists.amy-grant ** (Launched 3/96)** rec.music.christian rec.music.info --------------------------------- ONLINE SERVICES --------------------------------- We also post to Prodigy's Christian Music bulletin board and the GEnie music bulletin board. -------------- FOR AMERICA ONLINE SUBSCRIBERS - The Friends of Amy folder in the Christianity Online section of America Online. Keyword: FOA Exclusive snapshots - "Amy's Refrigerator Gallery" updated bi-monthly. Archive of update posts, electronic versions of the FOA newsletter and reference information. --------------------------------- WORLD WIDE WEB --------------------------------- For a comprehensive listing of virtually every known Amy site, point your Web browser to this URL: http://acm.cis.udel.edu/~drumm/agrant.html "Amy Grant Throughout This Web Wide World" is compiled and maintained by Marc Drumm. This is 'the mother of Amy Grant link pages'! Hats off to Marc for this tremendous resource. NOTE: This is NOT an "official site", but I do contribute to some of the site-resources posted here. Two highlights from the above list --] Steve Hill is a died-in-the-wool friend of Amy and our semi-official events photographer. To see the handy-work of this award-winning, Georgian, photo journalist, visit "Steve Hill's Amy Grant Page" www.mindspring.com/~steve550/amy.html Can (pronounced like "Jon") Gokceatam, an extremely dedicated Turkish computer whiz and friend/fan, has quite a nice site for Amy (as well as another for her husband Gary Chapman). Visit Can's page at: www.amygrant.org<<< Who says a computer is impersonal? Because of the internet, I've met both Steve and Can. This informational "super highway" has brought me face to-face with more cyber buds than the ole newsletter ever did! --------------------------------- SPECIAL THANKS FROM LORI MC - --------------------------------- On behalf of Amy and FRIENDS OF AMY, I would like to gratefully thank and acknowledge the efforts of Pradeep Bhatia of Canada, Andreas Haug of Germany, and Steve Hill of U.S.A., in establishing the Amy Grant newsgroups and a plethora of services in concert with them. These dedicated fans have donated their own time and talents to make these resources available for all of us. Since the pioneering work of Pradeep and Andreas in 1993-1994, many creative, talented and dedicated fans have honored Amy by establishing their own Web sites, being an active part of the internet community of Amy Grant fans who have found their voice in just about every format the superhighway will support. The length of the above-mentioned resource link page testifies to that! It is with great respect and appreciation that I want to acknowledge and thank every one of you for your expression of support for Amy and her music. It continues to be a learning experience and a real honor for me - among the "computationally challenged" - to be counted in your company. *thunderous applause* --------------------------------- SNAIL MAIL --------------------------------- Basic information on Amy Grant's FRIENDS OF AMY fan service and information center: Write to: Friends of Amy 9 Music Square S., Ste 214 Nashville, TN 37203-3203 --------------------------------- ALSO AVAILABLE --------------------------------- F.O.A. Newsletter ----------------- Published tri-anually in February, June and October primarily written by Amy herself - includes cover letter, Q&A section, recipes, family snapshots, updates on current projects for Amy and her husband, artist Gary Chapman. Includes tour itineraries. (An electronic version is posted.) $10.00/year US $12.00/year Canada $15.00/year other foreign Back issue booklet #1 - issues 10 of FOA September 1985 through April 1990 Back issue booklet #2 - issues 11-20 of FOA August 1990 through August 1993 Back issue booklet #3 - issues 21 - 30 December 1993 through February 1997 $5.00 each US $6.00 each all foreign Copies of single issues - $1.00 each both domestic & foreign Autographed 5 x 7 black&white Photo ----------------- $2.00 US $3.00 all foreign Information Packages -------------------- "Meet Amy Grant Chapman" Autobiographical info, personal spiritual journey, her career start & news stories behind current projects. $7.00 US $8.00 all foreign "Catching Up With Amy" Updated autobiographical info from 1992 through mid-1996. $7.00 US $8.00 all foreign "The Music Business From Amy's Perspective" How Amy got her start, her thoughts and advice for aspiring writers and performers, addresses to write for more info. Includes the interview from CROSSROADS magazine and current resources for pursuing music full time. $3.00 US $4.00 all foreign NEW in 97! "The Nashville Nickel Tour" - A self-guided tour to Amy's Nashville complete with suggested shopping, dining and overnight accomodations. $3.00 US $4.00 all foreign *** ALL FUNDS MUST BE IN US DOLLARS. (We do accept cash, but for your own security, we do not encourage you to send cash through the mail.) ALL THE ABOVE PRICES INCLUDE SHIPPING AND HANDLING. SORRY, NO CREDIT CARDS. PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: FRIENDS OF AMY Include your COMPLETE name and address with the order. Please write legibly or type to ensure proper delivery. --------- PLANNING A TRIP TO NASHVILLE? Don't forget your copy of "A NASHVILLE NICKEL TOUR"! (see above). For a general, all around guide to our fair city, check out the site done by The Nashville Scene. They've been honored as having one of the "best sites for American Cities". They can be trendy and sarcastic at times, but they provide a lot of good info on what's happening: www.nashscene.com To find out the latest and greatest in Christian music and activites, check out this site from our friend, Kathryn Darden. She is the founder of Christian Activities Tennessee magazine and maintains this site: http://membes.aol.com/CANashvl/darden.html Particularly for the kiddos, check out the local activities calendar at: www.nashvilleparent.com ---- BEST PLACE TO FIND "AMY STUFF" We highly recommend GOODS FOR YOU as a source of Amy collectibles, souvenirs, music, posters, etc. etc. This hobby/business is operated by Stephen Haynie - a long time collector and fan of Amy's music. Call or write for a free catalogue: Goods For You P O Box 25082 Nashville, TN 37202 615/254-6358 GOODS FOR YOU is not officially associated with or endorsed by Amy Grant Productions. ------------------------------------------------------------ THE END. ------------------------------------------------------------ This message is a public service of NetCentral, Inc. and Friends of Amy. For more info about NetCentral, send mail to: [email protected] World Wide Web: http://www.netcentral.net/ (Lori Mc is a BIG FAN of the NetCentral Gang. They rule!)