Amy Grant released her first Christmas album in 20 years. However, there is one retailer that said “no” to Grant’s latest project.
Tennessee Christmas is a collection of 13 new recordings, blending heartfelt originals and Grant’s own spin on popular Yuletide classics. Just before the album released, Grant shared some insight into her vision behind this project – “I’ve loved traveling the world with my guitar, but my favorite musical memories have happened right here at home around Christmastime with family and friends. I hope we’ve captured some of that magic to share with all of you this holiday season!”
Lifeway handed down the decision to not carry the Williamson County resident’s latest Christmas album. The decision was addressed by Grant’s manager, Jennifer Cooke, in an article on The Washington Post website questioning “What is Christian Enough?”
Cooke states, “But I can’t help but think of the heart behind a lot of the songs that would be considered ‘not Christian’ on this album, specifically one called ‘Melancholy Christmas.’ It is a song about isolation and loneliness during the holidays and the need for connection.”
Posted on Amy Grant’s Facebook page was the following regarding Cooke’s article.
“Having Jennifer Cooke in my life has helped me to look at the bigger picture of faith and love differently…time and time again. I appreciate her brain, her perspective and her heart. Asking questions opens all of us up to the possibility of being willing to consider how we might live differently.
“We” is an important perspective to have.
“We” are in this life together.
“We” learn from each other.
“We” are all in process.
“We” are all loved by God…all of us.
How we communicate that experience is unique to each of us.
Unity is not about everybody being the same…it’s about all of us coming together…with our differences.
And with those differences, asking ourselves…
How will I show love today?
We respectfully accept Lifeway’s decision that my new Christmas album didn’t meet their criteria. Let’s all move on from that decision without arguing about it. But let’s not stop asking the questions about what it means to live in faith and reflect love to the world around us…”
Fans in support of Grant have posted over 1,000 messages on her Facebook page about how they support her and the new Christmas album which is currently rising on the charts. Currently, Tennessee Christmas is the number 3 spot on the Billboard Holiday albums chart.
We reached out to Lifeway for comment about their decision but have yet to hear a reply. However, Lifeway’s competitor Family Christian Stores is carrying Grant’s Tennessee Christmas in stores.
Amy Grant will have several upcoming appearances one on the Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family: Home for the Holidays”airing on November 17, and a performance of the title track on the CMA’s Country Christmas airing on ABC November 28.
Kicking off next week at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, Grant and Michael W. Smith, joined by Jordan Smith (winner of NBC’s “The Voice), will present their Christmas favorites with a full symphony orchestra in twenty major markets including Dallas, Minneapolis, Atlanta and Baltimore. Grant will also be teaming up with husband Vince Gill for “Christmas At The Ryman,” as they continue their wildly successful residency at the iconic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Currently, Visit Music City is offering a give-away for two tickets to the Amy Grant and Vince Gill Christmas concert at the Ryman on December 15th. To learn more about the give-away, visit the website.
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