ContentZone
Saturday, November 22, 1997
Amy's First Chat!
A transcript from The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville, Tennessee 11/16/97With many thanks to Denise Van Peursem as well as the good folks atCitySearch - Nashville.
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On Sunday, November16th, A&M/Myrrh recording artist and all-aroundNashville Christian/pop diva Amy Grant stepped away from the studio andup to a laptop computer for her first on-line chat. More than 180messages were posted in anticipation of this event, and the chat drewin 400+ participants from 55 countries around the world, includingAntigua, Germany, South Africa, and Brazil. That activity translatedinto a quarter of a million hits, attesting to Amy Grant's enormouspopularity.Following the chat, Amy treated local listeners on 107.5 TheRiver, and global fans picking up CitySearch's exclusive webcast, to anhour-long intimate acoustic set at the Bluebird Cafe that featuredsongs from her latest release, BEHIND THE EYES.
The cyberchat, moderated by CitySearch music editor Lucas W.Hendrickson, proved to be not only painless, but exciting for Amy aswell. She discussed everything from the creative process behind songselections for her album, to juggling a very public career and thesanctity of her home and private life. The transcript of her remarkablystraightforward and candid responses follows.
L-Here's the moment you've all been waiting for.
L-If you need any introduction to this person,you've been under a rock for the past 20 years.L-Please welcome to Nashville CitySearch (and here'sthe part where you cheer from behind your desktops)...Amy Grant.
A-So great to be here. This is a first for me. I understandI have friends in Holland, Germany and Spain who have joined us.
A-By the way, this is not me typing!
L-So the first question comes from me. Why haven'tyou done something like this before?
A-It didn't occur to me
A-But now that I'm in the middle of this, it's really exciting.
A-You really have to make every word count here, don't you?
A-This could be real trouble for me since I'm a rambler!!
L-So let's get right to the questions here...
L-Kellie Harriss asks, "What is your all-timefavorite song that you have recorded, and what makes it special toyou?
A-El Shaddai. The meaning fades. Most popular music iswritten to capture a certain moment. A song about God is timeless.
A-I meant the meaning never fades!!!
L-Dyan Reynolds asks, "How does it feel to know yourmusic has such an impact on people?"
A-I know what it feels like to have music have an impact onme.
A-It doesn't happen to be my own music that affects me thatway.
A-But I know what it feels like to find companionship,meaning, and comraderie through songs.
L-Speaking of fans from around the world, and wewere not along ago. Arald den Braber asks, "Are you coming to Europewith the Behind The Eyes tour?"
A-No current plans, but we have barely started the US tour plans.
A-Just don't know what the future holds at this point.
L-Reba Baskett asks, "What is your favorite song onBehind the Eyes, and what is your favorite song that didn't make it onthe album?"
L-She's consulting her manager Jennifer=8A
A-Favorite on the BTE album is "Cry a River" - or maybe"Somewhere Down the Road."
A-Favorite song that didn't make it on the album is a songcalled "What is the chance?"
L-You did 30 songs for this, didn't you? It's hardto choose one that didn't make it...
L-Tommy Battles asks, "I'm glad to see you're comingto the Internet for us fans. If the record companies weren't involvedin the decision, would you have chosen different songs for Behind TheEyes?"
A-Maybe yes - maybe no, It's not like the record company isa big heartless machine.
A-These are all people I trust. The story about James Taylorcritiquing one of the songs poorly made me pull it off the record.
L-This question is from me. How long did thatfiltering process take?
A-I would record 4-5 songs and pick one or two for the record.
A-The whole process lasted 2 years.
L-Chuck Plante asks, "Do you ever do barefoot concerts anymore?"
A-Deana Carter has pretty much taken over that banner.
L-Heather Wright asks, "What about your career doyou enjoy the most?"
A-The people that I meet. It always surprises me whose pathmine winds up crossing. A year ago I played at a benefit golftournament and wound up meeting Kevin Costner. This past week he and Irecorded a song for a sound track to his new movie "Postman."
A-Who would have thought?
L-Which begs the question, can Kevin Costner sing?
A-Have you ever heard of Pro Tools?
L-That's a music industry joke. Not Kevin Costner,but ProTools.
L-I hope somebody out there's laughing...
L-We've all heard the story about A&M's DavidAnderle's influence on these songs. Denise Van Peursem asks, "Do youthink the album has had the effect that David Anderle was lookingfor?"
A-I know he likes it.
A-I'm one of several artists that he works with. In fact thewhole time I was working on this record, Sheryl Crow was working on herrecord.
A-So I would hear through the grapevine about her dilemmasand it made me feel more comfortable with mine.
L-Which is a great segue for this question. ShellieKepley asks, "Would you like to join a Lilith Fair if there was anotherone next year?"
A-Sure.
L-Just to let you know, we've got 345 users in 15rooms for this chat.
L-Again along the Lilith Fair lines...Jeff Murphyasks, "Would you ever considering doing an all-out rock album, alaSheryl Crow or Sam Phillips?"
A-I don't think that my voice really lends itself to that.
A-And my writing style is just more laid back.
A-When I really want to get juiced up, I buy other people'srecords and listen to them
A-But I just do what I do.
L-If your voice doesn't lend itself to that, thenwho did the little scream in the middle of "Takes A Little Time"?
A-Me.
L-And how many takes did that take?
A-One.
L-Steve Hunter asks, "What music are you listeningto lately?"
A-I always listen to a steady diet of Lyle Lovett, BonnieRaitt.
A-This morning getting ready for church I was listening toNancy Griffith.
A-I like my labelmates, Jann Arden and Patti Griffin.
A-Lately I've been listening to a lot of Rich Mullins.
L-Talk a little bit about Rich, if you don't mind.What do his songs mean to you now that he's gone?
A-You can always count on Rich for a good dose of honesty.
A-He never seemed to worry about posturing on any level.
A-I think I posture sometimes even when I'm on my knees.
A-I don't want to. His music reminds me that God knows I'mhuman.
A-I'd also say that people always want to make more out ofsomething than it is.
A-He sang powerful songs, but he talked about his job likehe was a plumber.
L-Do you have a favorite song of his, other thanones you recorded?
A-Hold Me Jesus.
L-I think we're all going to miss his music verymuch...
L-Back to the questions...Steve Rimbey asks, "Youhave traveled a great deal and seen a lot. Which cross-culturalexperience has had the most profound impact on you?"
A-By far my visit to Guatemala.
A-I visited two children that my family has sponsoredthrough Compassion International
L-Along that same line...Greg Birgy asks, "How didthe trip affect your own three children?"
A-I guess you'd have to ask them.
A-Before we left, I asked Sarah (my 5 year old) what shethought we'd be doing in Guatemala.
A-She quickly responded "Visiting the poor."
A-These people were poor in opportunities for education, forexperiencing the world, but they were rich in family and rich inlaughter.
A-And rich in the love of God.
A-I was struck by the fact that my kids almost always prefera trip to Toys R Us than sitting on the front porch talking.
A-We came back deciding to own less and talk more.
A-That would obviously be my decision - not theirs. But Ihave the car and the cash.
L-Kyle Hankins asks, "How do you manage being on theroad and giving your children the attention they need?"
A-Are they getting the attention they need?
A-I think that's every parent's concern.
A-My kids have 3 primary care-givers. My husband, our nanny,and myself.
A-We'll what the counseling bills are someday!
A-As busy as I am, what I have given up is a social life. Sowhen I'm not on the road, I am at home. We do ok.
A-Sorry - back up...I have a lousy typist.
A-I meant - we'll see what the counseling bills aresomeday.
L-Back to some questions about the music...CarrieCasey asks, "If you could do a duet with anyone, who would it be, andwhat kind of song would it be?"
A-I've done a lot.
A-With people that I liked...Peter Cetera...VinceGill...Michael Smith...and now Kevin.
A-Not a bad list.
L-Michael Trybun asks, "I especially love your musicvideos. Are there plans for others?"
A-Yes.
A-I'll be filming a video for the next single "Nobody Home"in January '98.
L-You have heard that "Takes A Little Time" is goingto be on VH-1's Pop-Up Video, right?
A-Yeah. I'm thrilled.
A-That's the most innovative video treatment I've seen in along time.
A-Learn while you watch.
L-It only took somebody 15 years to come up withsomething inventive for music videos. It's about time...
L-Chris Charles asks, "What do you think you'd bedoing today if the magic of music never touched your life?"
A-I have no idea...I can't even figure out how to answerthat.
A-It would be like saying "who would I have married if I'dbeen born a boy?"
L-Now there's an interesting twist...
L-I know you've answered this in other places, butLinda Schuman asks, "What advice do you have for teens today?"
L-Pick one area, just for time's sake...
A-I would say, I can't imagine some teenager is waiting withbaited breath for my answer to life
A-If they are anything like me, if I said one thing, they'ddo the opposite.
A-I would say your life is shaped by what you believe.
A-Care enough to find what you believe.
L-Manisha Ropheka asks, "How long do you think youwill keep recording?"
L-And let me append this on to that, is it still fun?
A-Of course it's fun. I have 3 more records in my currentcontract. After that, I'm not telling.
L-What do you want to do that you haven't had achance to? In or outside the entertainment world?
A-Can you talk about this on the Internet?
A-That would be between God, my birthday candles, and me!
L-That would be suitably vague. Thanks.
L-Here's another more personal one...J. Stevensasks, "What do you look for in a friend? What are those characteristicsthat draw you to other people and want to get to know them, and do youstruggle with people just wanting to know you just for 'who you are'and not really as 'a friend'?"
A-What kick-starts a friendship is that you are intriguedwith another person.
A-Friends are not projects.
A-Trustworthiness is at the top of my list.
A-I feel really lucky to have the friends that I have.
A-In fact, I constantly find myself amazed that we foundeach other.
A-It's not a long list.
L-One more, and then Amy has to get ready for theshow...Dan Terry asks, "What message do you want your music and yourlife to leave people with?"
A-Hope.
L-Simple, direct, and to the point. Any last words?
A-Stick around for some music.
A-I'm not so great at chatting - so stick around for themusic.
L-Thanks again, and like she said, stick around forthe music. Click on the Listen- AudioNet button to connect to theRiver. I'll be back with you in a second...