Back in the 80’s, Ronn Huff started an annual holiday concert tradition with a mixture of traditional and contemporary carols, and Amy Grant was a
favorite fixture at that concert. Since that time I have associated Amy Grant with a Tennessee Christmas,
holiday music and the like. For the past seven, Amy has
developed her own annual Christmas tradition, and it has become a part of Nashville
history.
Making her way through three costume changes and some 14 carols, a very pregnant Amy quipped that she was now too big to sit in Santa’s lap. She still looked lovely and sounded wonderful throughout the concert. From the beginning as she joined new hubby Vince Gill and old friend Michael W. Smith for the opening number, “A
Christmas to Remember” to the end when the trio launched into “We Wish You a Merry
Christmas and other holiday favorites with the audience, this was a beautiful celebration
of the holidays.
The stage was breathtaking, at times looking like a Grecian column, a
huge package, or a snowy night. The Symphony was exhilarating moving from one
number to the next with passion and precision.
My favorite moment had to be the “Highland Cathedral” with the Nashville Pipe and
Drum Corps. They stole the show at the Billy Graham crusade, and they marched off
with it again. Another standout song was Michael’s memorial to “Carol Ann” which
was a moving moment amidst the joyful celebration the rest of the concert presented. And what Tennesseean ever gets tired of hearing Amy perform “Tennessee Christmas,” especially when joined by Smitty?
Proceeds from the two sold out nights go to benefit the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.
Also on hand at the event were volunteers selling four adorable beanie baby animals
hand picked by Amy to raise funds for the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. A limited
22,800 beanies were produced: lion, lamb, puppy and bear, each wearing little red
“Nashville’s Christmas” scarves. A third ministry represented was Compassion
International. The organization had two booths set up where concert-goers could get
information on sponsoring a child from a third-world country. I had the privilege to
work at one of the Compassion booths on Tuesday night.
With great music, celebrity personalities, good causes, cuddly critters, and tons of
holiday cheer, it is no wonder that Amy Grant’s “Nashville’s Christmas” is now
permanently ensconced as a Nashville institution.
Amy is currently working on her new project which is expected to release sometime
during the summer.
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