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Talking With . . . Amy Grant


Serious Business
The former gospel singer who rocked the pop charts in 1991 with the smiley-face single "Baby Baby" has had another change of heart. Amy Grant's 15th album, Behind the Eyes (A&M), is a collection of introspective songs that are bound to surprise longtime fans. But to her friends and family, "there was nothing surprising about the record," insists Grant, 36, who lives near Nashville with her husband, music producer Gary Chapman, and their three children. "They just said, `I know that girl.' "

What brought about this album's more serious mood?
In your mid-30s you're thinking, "If I live to be 70, I'm halfway through with my life. What's really important to me?'' You kind of back away and go, "This isn't panning out as I thought it would.'' The guys at my record company said, "Be brave enough to write some of that stuff in a song."

As a former gospel artist who went pop, does anyone ever accuse you of selling out?
I still have people bring it up. Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin -- I'm trying to think of people who started off in one setting [and crossed over]. But I'm not being presumptuous enough to compare myself with Aretha. There are the angels, and there's Aretha.

Does the music industry ever try your faith?
Let's face it, I'm doing my childhood hobby. I don't have a whole lot to complain about.

People Magazine
September 15, 1997
By J.H.


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