Benefit auction happening right now for LLS.

• Want to have Coffee with Amy – click here to go straight to Amy’s Auction
• See the rest of the auction.

Read more about the auction - Go here.

(Some of you have emailed with questions about why Vince and Amy recently pulled out of the James Taylor concert at Carnegie Hall schedule for April 20th.  I thought it best you hear directly from Amy….)

My mom is currently under hospice care and living at our home.

We believe she is in her final days.

A good death is made possible because of a life well lived.

I so appreciate this time of family togetherness honoring my amazing mother.

Prayers are welcome…

xo

Read the official press release here:

THE GLENLIVET® PRESENTS DRESSED TO KILT

Sir Sean and Lady Connery Serve as Honorary Chairs for Evening of Scottish Fashion and Fun to Benefit Wounded Warriors Project and Paralyzed Veterans of America

New York, NY (March 22, 2011) – Hot Scots and bold-faced names take Manhattan by storm and get “Dressed to Kilt” at the ninth annual charity event, this year taking place on Tuesday April 5, 2011.

The highly-anticipated event will be held at the Hammerstein Ballroom (311 West 34th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues), beginning with a cocktail reception at 7:30 p.m. followed by the runway fashion presentation at 9:00 p.m.

The theme of the 2011 show, “Country Chic,” draws its inspiration from the world of country music, particularly noting its Scottish roots and origins. Watch this year’s catwalk “rock with country chic,” as designers blur the lines between Haute and Highland, rustic and urban while incorporating modern knits, refined tweeds and classic Tartans with a stylish and western glam.

This unique show celebrates all aspects of Caledonian culture including fabric, art, music, whisky and most notably, fashion. The Dressed to Kilt presentation showcases a range of styles from traditional Highland kilts and cutting-edge looks from young Scottish talent to world-renowned designer fashions and haute couture.

This year’s show features looks by celebrated designers, from world-renowned fashion houses like Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood, to top British talent like House of Holland and Lochcarron of Scotland. Designer labels known for their celebrity patrons also hit the catwalk, including looks from Katherine Hooker, a long-time favorite designer of soon-to-be Princess Kate Middleton, Kerry Nixon, a go-to of actress Keira Knightley, and Rachael Barrett, known to work closely with Lady Gaga. Keeping in the Country Chic theme, this show will for the first time feature looks from top award-winning U.S. based country western designers, including Montana Dreamwear, Pat Dahnke, IOTA, Prophetik and Manuel Cuevas.

Recognized as the most prestigious and highest profile Scottish fashion event in the world, this year’s Dressed to Kilt proves to be no exception with celebrity participants including Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Amy Grant, country music sensations Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn,  “Big” Kenny Alphin of Big and Rich, Kellie Pickler, Gary Allan and country music trio Stealing Angels. They will be joined by New York’s own Donald Trump and wife Melania Trump, actors Matt Bomer (White Collar) and Matthew Settle (Gossip Girl), Katrina Bowden (30 Rock), Jim Parrack (True Blood), Comedian and Actor Billy Connolly, Model Marcus Schenkenberg, Canadian electric fiddle group Bowfire, Broadway actor Matthew Modine, among many, many more.

Through Friends of Scotland (www.friendsofscotland.org), a non-profit organization founded by Sir Sean Connery and dedicated to advancing contemporary Scottish interests in the United States, proceeds from Dressed to Kilt will benefit the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides assistance to injured veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, specifically.

In addition to this year’s fashion show, Friends of Scotland will once again open a pop-up shop to share with the public some of Scotland’s finest textiles and designs. The shop, directly adjacent to the Whitney Museum at 939 Madison Ave, will be open from Thursday, March 17 – Sunday, April 10.

The pop-up shop, in partnership with Isabella Garrucho Fine Art, will also play host to the first “Dressed to Kilt Fine Art Show,” which will run from Friday, March 18 to Friday, April 8. Featuring works from famed photographers Terry O’Neill and Roberto Dutesco, the pop-up shop will be outfitted in iconic images, including original stills from O’Neill of Sir Sean Connery on the set of “James Bond”, and are available for sale both in-store and online at http://www.dressedtokiltartshow.com. Proceeds from the sale of the art will further support the fundraising efforts of Friends of Scotland and its various charities.

The 2011 Dressed to Kilt show is proudly supported by title sponsor The Glenlivet® and presented together with the Scottish Textiles industry.

The latest ticket information for Amy Grant Concerts (includes the first few of the second half of the year’s 2 Friends tour).

TICKET AND PRE-SALE INFORMATION:

Cary, NC (Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park)

• Tour Date:  July 28, 2011
• Pre-sale Starts: (info coming soon to FOA Members)
• Pre-sale Ends: (info coming soon to FOA Members)
• Pre-sale Link: (info coming soon to FOA Members)
• Pre-sale Password: (info coming soon to FOA Members)
• General Public On-sale:  (info coming soon – will be on-sale during April)

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Atlanta, GA – Chastain Park Amphitheatre – 2 Friends Tour (Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith)

• Tour Date:  July 29, 2011
• Pre-sale Starts:  April 6 @ 10 a.m.
• Pre-sale Ends:  April 10 @ 10 p.m.
• Pre-sale Link:  (log-in to get information here)
• Pre-sale Password:  (log-in to get information here)
• General Public On-sale:  April 11 @ 10 a.m.

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Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Center – 8.14.2011 – This concert was incorrectly listed on Amy’s itinerary – apologies for confusion.  Amy will NOT be at this concert.

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Puyallup, WA – The Fair – 2 Friends Tour (Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith)

• Tour Date:  September 16, 2011
• Tickets Currently On-Sale:  http://www.thefair.com/concerts/

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Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre – 2 Friends Tour (Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith)

• Tour Date:  September 25, 2011
• Pre-sale Starts:  Thursday, March 31st @ 10 a.m. (local time)
• Pre-sale Ends:  Thursday, March 31st @ 10 p.m.
• Pre-sale Link:  (log-in to get information here)
• Pre-sale Password:  (log-in to get information here)
• General Public On-sale:  Friday, April 1st @ 10 a.m.

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MORE CONCERT DATES WILL BE OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED SOON – often times external sources get tour dates for listings that are not yet 100% confirmed – whereas we here @ AmyGrant.com can not post schedules until all associated contracts are completed – we thank you for your patience…

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Amy will be performing at Nashville’s “An Evening of Stories” Benefit concert for Porter’s Call @ 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29th.

Ford Theater @ the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Only 200 Seats available.

Learn more about Porter’s Call.

Get Tickets Here

We invited NewReleaseTuesday.com reviewer to come out to the concert and give us an unbiased review of the 2 Friends Tour with Michael W. Smith & Amy Grant.

Reviewer:  Kevin Davis – newreleasetuesday.com (click that link to read the review in-full and see images from the concert).

2 Friends Tour Review – Part 1:  Amy Grant’s Looming Legacy

I had the amazing opportunity to attend the final show of the sold-out “2 Friends Tour” with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith at American Music Theatre in Lancaster, Penn. on Sunday night, March 6, 2011.

The signs in the lobby were for upcoming shows by Melissa Etheridge,
Gary Allan, Chicago and Meat Loaf. The message and light of the Gospel
was being brought into the heart of Lancaster. I’ve been listening to
Amy Grant for more than 25 years as I first heard “El-Shaddai”, “Thy
Word” and “Tennessee Christmas” when I was in high school in 1985.

Like many avid Christian music collectors, I believe that 1988’s Lead Me On
was one of the most influential albums in the history of Christian
music. Amy truly paved the way for all female artists and today I hear
her influence in some of my favorite artists, including Sara Groves,
Bethany Dillon, Britt Nicole and Francesca Battistelli.

The capacity crowd of 2,000 was cheering non-stop as both Michael and
Amy walked out hand-in-hand and took the stage together, with Michael
playing keyboards for Amy, the same as they started out together.

Amy began by singing “Stay For Awhile,” which kicked
off the theme of the evening–the passage of time. Amy commented, “We’ll
sing songs from all eras, and if you don’t hear what you came to hear,
we’ll have to come back.” Amy then told us all to stand up, she loved
the 80s and… (click here to read the rest of part 1)

2 Friends Tour Review – Part 2:  Smitty’s Musical Journey

Following intermission, Michael came out by himself and just sat at his keyboard and started playing “Place In This World” which caused the crowd to cheer wildly. Next, Michael surprised us by playing the instrumental song “The Giving” from Freedom.
Michael told us how much he loves soundtrack music and how his record
label didn’t immediately embrace the idea of an instrumental album and
thanked us for supporting him. Michael talked about co-writing and Amy
came out, and she sang “Thy Word” and “Angels,” which Amy told us, “is a true story from The Bible.”

Michael said he didn’t know what year they wrote the next song, and Amy quickly said “1986,” which led to “Faithless Heart.” One of my favorite moments of the night was next. Michael went on to say that in 2006, he and Amy co-wrote “How Can I Say Goodbye” from Stand.
The song was originally written for Michael’s daughter, Whitney, when
she left to California for college. Michael said he couldn’t sing it
without crying. But now that it has been more than four years since
then, he’s changed the song to Amy’s key, so she can sing the song for
her daughter, Sarah, who is leaving for college. Amy said she also
couldn’t sing it without crying but had called Vince Gill to let him
know that the song was therapy for her and certainly cheaper than paying
a therapist.

“Somewhere Somehow” was a fun surprise from 1992’s Change Your World,
and is a love song sung as a duet with Amy. Ironically, the song was a
hit in Asia, but never got traction in the USA. Before this tour, the
last time they sang the duet together was in the recording studio some
20 years ago.

The set switched at that point to Michael and his full band, including “Open The Eyes Of My Heart” and “Forever” as a medley from Michael’s best-selling Worship, and they…  (click here to read the final part of the review.)

Over the last 5 weeks Amy and crew have been touring across the country with the 2 Friends Tour.  Most concerts have been sold-out and it’s been really exciting to watch and listen to so many of your stories. Tonight in Lancaster, PA the Spring leg of the tour comes to a close with yet another sold-out concert. We truly hope that you have enjoyed seeing Amy and Michael on-stage again and it’s a tour that we certainly hope to continue with more dates this fall.

In coming days/weeks we’ll be announcing more of Amy’s schedule for 2011 and hope to see you at these concerts – and of course in the fall for the 2 Friends Tour (if schedules allow for it to happen). Stay informed with Amy’s schedule here: http://www.amygrant.com/tour

For now check out these photos from the 2 Friends Tour. Taken in Nashville, TN on February 22, 20112:

As Amy and Michael are in the back-half of the 2 Friends Tour their hometown newspaper, The Tennessean, had a great interview piece about the two of them.

Read it here.

As the 2 Friends Tour rolls on through show #3 as we speak, February 4, we wanted to share some of the first images from the tour and a blog by Amy’s manager Jennifer Cooke.  To see some of the pictures from this very special night just scroll down.

CLICK HERE TO READ JENNIFER’S BLOG

Stay tuned to AmyGrant.com for more updates from the tour…

To find out if the tour is going to make it’s way to YOUR town & to get ticket information click here.

Amy and her band hit the rehearsal studio today, with the tour crew, as the 2 Friends Tour with Michael W. Smith officially starts in ONE week in Roseville, CA.  (check and see if it’s coming to a city near you by clicking here).

What songs are you wanting to hear?  Leave a comment and tell us.