Irvine, California

Posted on: October 18th, 2008 by Amy Grant 21 Comments

You know that saying “you’re only as good as the company you keep”?
Well, last night at the Mariner’s Church felt like old home week.
What a great feeling community…fabulous facility…and by far the most exuberant crowd I have sung to in a long time.
Watching people shed the years and remember the vibrancy and passion of a younger version of themselves is the only way I can describe the view from my vantage point.
It’s beautiful.
Thankyou to all who are making this musical journey with us.
Looking back and remembering the best parts of our younger selves, less road weary and jaded, just might give us fresh inspiration for the next stage of life…which I believe, is the most important chapter yet .
Today I am in Bakersfield.
The show is benefitting a local hospital…in particular, a new burn unit.
Now that’s a great combination.
Music and a great cause.
I’m off to take a quick nap before sound check.
Sleep has been the elusive component of the last few days…
Guess it’s just adrenaline.
Running on fumes. Now that IS like the old days. Ha!

jjlynnie

Last night was AMAZING!!! It made me remember parts of myself I thought were long gone – it was nice to find out I’m still me .
marcelle costa(BRAZIL)

there’s more to come yet, Amy:)just the begin… here in brazil i’m gonna pray for you and the band. God bless you all…:)
http://www.awaitingtriumph.com Traci Tyson

Amy, the concert was unbelievably fun and couldn’t have meant more to me at this point in my journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to meet me and my sisters after the concert. I will never forget it! Ever since I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, that concert has been one goal that I was hoping to meet and it wasn’t happening because I was going to be in the hospital, but God worked miracles for me and we managed to get my chemo schedule earlier enough yesterday that I got off an IV at 6:40 in Long Beach and was there at 7:20 at Mariners for an evening I will always cherish. To sing and dance to that music that has been a part of my life was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I couldn’t believe how many words I rememebered to songs I hadn’t heard in a long time. Such memories…yet even more relevant now. I’ll never listen to “Alright” the same now…it meant so much to me. Loved the new material too and can’t wait to get that on CD. One of the things I loved so much was that you guys on staged seemed to be having so much fun. What a great night! Here’s a link to my blog and pics from last night. Thanks again SOOO much for taking the time to make my night. Love you!
http://awaitingtriumph.wordpress.com/
marcelle costa(BRAZIL)

ops, forgot. I saw a video of the Phx show at the you tube today, and i’ll tell you, i liked the dance, han? great, great…:)
I’m young and i really love your songs maybe because they’re young too, never older…
carla

dear amy this carla i am glad that you have been doing well i have some great news i just got a weelchar van god is good i have all so made a lot of friends here on foa i want you to know that care about u lot somtimes i feel sad becouse i never told you how much i use music has life
line sorry cant be there for you the concerts it makes me very terd i know you understand i love u very much amy
Missy Byler

Amy, I remember going to your concerts in Phx. years ago when you played high schools and then moved up to larger theaters. How I loved your music! Not too long ago I broke out my tapes and jammed to Wise Up and the other songs and now I have some on my Ipod. I hope to be able to see you in MN when you are here. You couldn’t have picked a greater tour to reproduce.
If I come I will bring pictures that we had taken together (some with M.W.Smith also).
I will always remember black stirrup leggings and the leapord print jacket. We all had to get some.
http://www.vanessachristine.blogspot.com Michelle Burrill

Yay, you’re in California! Love you!
Elaine

Amy:
We have grown up together…I just turned 49 and you were the first Christian artist I listened to. You are still my favorite…because of the deep thoughts that go into each of your songs. They lift me up from my darkest times and bring more light to my brighter days.
I had hoped we would meet and we did…briefly on a plane back from Nashville. You and Vince were on the same flight to LA the night before this years Grammy’s. I know you get mobbed all the time, but as I said then, your music means so much to me and has touched so many hearts. I know that you love performing but it does come at a cost to your family…when you leave home…especially when the children were young. Being on the road is not all fun, but I appreciate the gifts you have and the sacrifices you have made.
I have attended most if not all your concerts in the LA area and I am so comforted by the intimate atmosphere you provide. I feel like I know you–like you are a trusted friend. You present a calm and gentle spirit and watching you in concert is a joy!!
I will continue to pray for you, your family and your ministry. I hope our paths will meet in this life, if not, then in heaven.
Blessings and Peace!
http://indigorobe.blogspot.com Margie

I saw you, Amy, in Phoenix last Thursday and took my 19 year old daughter. She is the “baby” I would sing ‘Baby, Baby” to! My other daughter was unable to attend but she and I would sing the songs to Lead Me On as we went about our errands, when she was a little girl.
The show was beyond~ words~ wonderful. The funniest part was when you kept saying, “Man, it’s dry here!” TELL ME ABOUT IT!!! I always feel like a turkey, being slow-roasted in the desert!
This was my 4th time to see you. My husband took me when I turned 30 (and you were 30 as well) to show me that 30 was not old! Made me feel great! But now that I am 47 and you are 47 — you are leaving me feeling like I should be looking way better for 47! Haha!
Thanks for the memories — blessings and joy as you continue this tour!
Margie ~
http://meiaspalavras2.blogspot.com/ Cissa

Olá Amy,
É muito bom poder ouvir suas músicas! Você é uma grande pessoa, escolhida e amada de Deus.
Que Ele continue abençoado você e sua maravilhosa família.
Sempre virei visitar este blog, mesmo que escreva pouco inglês. Escrevi em Português para me destacar entres as pessoas aqui. (risos) espero que você tenha um bom tradutor online Na próxima tentarei em inglês. Prometo!
No amor de Cristo,
Cissa
http://meiaspalavras2.blogspot.com/ Cissinha

Wouu! Amy Grant,
I see that here have more people from Brazil as me post! Do you know?! You are dear in all the world!
Maybe a day can you came here, we will pray.
God Bless You for Ever.
AnotherSinginAmy

To Amy Grant:
Thanks so much for your comments about the vibrant audience in Irvine — the concert was soooo much fun & the demeanor change of you & the band members once you knew we were all diggin’ it was fun to see : )
Re: the crowd loving it and having a good time: You basically were seeing the fruit of the planted musical word seeds you created ‘back in the day’ with so much affirmation and joy — Know That! : ) Thank you!!!
That night at Mariners, since the old songs were all on cassette, I bought a ’2 for 1′ Straight Ahead and Unguarded cd — as well as the new Greatest Hits with all the bonus goodies. I have been blaring them and dancing/singing along (even in the car!) nonstop — literally full blast — and having a continued *great* time.
The most special moment in the concert: Hearing ‘Love will find a way’ after not hearing it for about 20 years. Raised in Detroit, it was the first pop crossover song. You see, even though I was a Christian, my single mom was *not* — and Christian music was *banned* in our home. So…I always listened to Amy Grant and other Christian music *incognito*…..and when “Love Will find a Way” hit the mainstream airwaves in Detroit,,,,well: incognito finito!! I started playing *All* your music — and singing along — loudly at home! Did you know that standing up to that nonsense did not harm me one iota?
Since I now sing (which was at times also prohibited at home), and write songs, I thank you for your songwriting prowess and ministry. It is, in 2008 and as a result of that Irvine show (and all of the resulting great memories of commitment and strength in my late teens), now influencing my new musical direction and personal ministry as well. It is time!
Thank you, Amy, for the simple truths brought to life through music. These truths were was true then (we bought it all as young dreamers and livers); these thoughts and approaches served me so very well for the last 20 years (especially that sassy strength in Jesus’ name); and standing and dancing and singing in Irvine as I pursue new dreams in the *most* challenging time in my life, I have never been more convinced of the evidence of God’s truth through these promises.
Let’s keep it going, everybody!
I know I, personally, am stepping it up bigtime.
Thank you!
(btw…am i as astonished as everyone else that song for song, the sheer number of amazing hits and the diversity of styling — that obviously are standing the test of time — probably wayyy outnumber Madonna’s hits through the years…she is two years older than Amy…AND they feel sooooooooooo much better and have done soooooo much more for all of us!!! Proof positive…good stuff comes from at least *trying* to live it and filter it! Not like i needed 20 years of evidence proof as a fan and singer/songwriter and Christian, but…*this* ‘Christian living’ science project of 20 years has worked *offfff the charts*!!)
What a life changing/life affirming weekend — THANK YOU!
AnotherSinginAmy
Angela Carrillo

Amy
your concert in Irvine, California was breath taking I must have sang along with you in almost every song I was your back up singer in the crowd! LOL Kim is awesome too! I am a big fan of Chris Eaton I have his first album still. But you were a prayer that was answered. You didn’t get to sing my song though Don’t give up on me I was hopin!:( But you were used in a beatiful way that night! Your band was off the hook!! You taught me how to sing, I must have listened to you for hours when I was 12 yrs old I turn 36 next month Nov. 19th. Thank you for a great evening in Irvine. Love and always praying for you and your family
Angela Carrillo
Wilmington,Ca
Trudi

Hey Amy,
I am so excited about this tour. Thanks for keeping us up to date. Can’t wait until Nov. 20th when you’re at Hershey theatre in Pa. LMO was the first tour concert that I ever saw in person at your Hershey Arena stop!(thanks to my granpa who went and picked up tickets for my mom and I while I was in school…he got us 5th row center!…and again this year when I called…what do ya know…same row again 20 years later!) This will definitely be like old home week for me! This time I will get to bring my friend Karen(songwriter/performer) that I had the opportunity to introduce you to at your Altoona, Pa. stop a couple of years ago. We won’t get to come to soundcheck and talk with you this time but we will be there enjoying every minute.
love & prayers, Trudi
Mike

I have been a fan since the beginning. I first saw you at the Lakeland Civic Center in Lakeland, FL. You performed with tracks and a guitar and had cardboard trees and a log cabin on the stage with you. That was the beginning of a wonderful journey with your music as the backdrop to so many of life’s adventures and ups and downs.
I wish so bad you would bring the Lead Me On Tour to Florida. That was such a fun tour and to be able to re-live it again would be awesome. If you decide to add any dates to the tour or go out next year on some more, please come to Florida.
Keep recording. We need your music! Thanks for being an inspiration and a “friend” through your music and sharing your life with us.
http://joyinview.wordpress.com Amelia

Hey Amy, sounds like it was an INCREDIBLE night! Wish I could have been there! I look forward to hearing about many more nights as the LMO journey continues! Keep dancing, and have fun!
Katie Fullbright

Amy,
Thank you so much for portraying yourself as the same Christian woman ” on and off” the stage. You are a fascinating woman and so sweet and personable. It was a lifelong goal of mine to meet you and I did while you were in Bakersfield. It was a blessing to get to talk to you about Continentals and the hilarious comment you made about Cam Floria. I called him to let him know I had talked to you and he laughed:) You have made a huge impact on the ministry and I know God will continue to use you in many many ways. I look forward to more inspiring music from you and hopefully meeting you again!
God Bless You while on the road!
Katie
Gary Bentley

Come back to Australia Amy
Gary
Vee

AMY, dear, I’ve been listening and chronicling my life with your music, since 1980–my goodness. I finally met you, 2 yrs ago, you were so warm and so kind and so full of God’s love. So in the moment with your fans..when I got home and told my fanily, they were so happy to hear this, as I had dreamed of meeting you. AFTER I MET YOU, A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I WAS INJURED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOT RECOVERED. I HAVE A SPINAL CORD INJURY, WHICH CAUSES SEVERE PAIN AND SEIZURES. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND AM UNABLE TO WORK.
I WANT TO JOINT YOUR ONLINE COMMUNITY BUT AM UNABLE TO AFFORD IT.
AMY, PLEASE PRAY FOR ME TO FIND WORK AND FIND MY HEALTH AGAIN. IT’S VERY HARD, I CRY ALL THE TIME. I DO NOT GET MUCH SUPPORT.
LOVE ALWAYS, VERONICA HERRERA, GRAND JCT, CO
970-640-0806
Vee

AMY, dear, I’ve been listening and chronicling my life with your music, since 1980–my goodness. I finally met you, 2 yrs ago, you were so warm and so kind and so full of God’s love. So in the moment with your fans..when I got home and told my fanily, they were so happy to hear this, as I had dreamed of meeting you. AFTER I MET YOU, A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I WAS INJURED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOT RECOVERED. I HAVE A SPINAL CORD INJURY, WHICH CAUSES SEVERE PAIN AND SEIZURES. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND AM UNABLE TO WORK.
I WANT TO JOINT YOUR ONLINE COMMUNITY BUT AM UNABLE TO AFFORD IT.
AMY, PLEASE PRAY FOR ME TO FIND WORK AND FIND MY HEALTH AGAIN. IT’S VERY HARD, I CRY ALL THE TIME. I DO NOT GET MUCH SUPPORT.
LOVE ALWAYS, VERONICA HERRERA, GRAND JCT, CO
970-640-0806
Timothy Gilmore

Amy,
All I can say is God bless you. I fell in love with your music as a 14 year old confused teenager with My Fathers Eyes. Thick and thin, you have always been an insperation and everytime I hear you sing it is like God is speaking directly to me. I am sorry for the hard parts in your life but I hope you know we love you more for being human. I am so happy for you but mostly thank you for sharing God with me and now my children. You are the only one we can agree on as my familys favorite singers. God bless you and your family and thanks for being there all these years, every song and every album has been a blessing. Forever in Christ name!

Irvine, California

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