Amy Grant, who released her self-titled album in 1977, has been a constant in the Christian music industry for more than 30 years. For myself and many others, Grant's music has been the soundtrack to significant points in our lives, rejoicing with her in the pop celebration of Heart In Motion and mellowing out with Lead Me On or Behind the Eyes.

Grant's March 30 release, Somewhere Down the Road ($13.99, EMI CMG Distribution), collects previously unreleased tracks such as "Come Into My World" and "What is the Chance of That?", combined with new songs "Better Than a Hallelujah" and "Overnight" and a new recording of "Arms of Love." Speaking about the new record, Grant said recent "pain, loss and joy" contributed to a "mature" collection.

Last night, she previewed some of the new songs, along with one so new it didn't make the collection ("Haiti") for an audience here outside of Orlando, Fla. Like a storyteller event, she didn't rush the show at all, but allowed time for guitar retuning while sharing the stories leading to songwriting and selection. For the thousands gathered in a large building, she downsized the concert experience, creating an intimate feel.

Still, she still rocked it out on a few songs, including two of my earliest favorites, "Find a Way," her first pop hit, and "Love of Another Kind." She of course reached further back than that with a triple-play of "My Father's Eyes," "Thy Word" and "El Shaddai."

Grant spoke on the part that music has played in her life, calling it the "wallpaper" and admitted gratefulness for the part her music played in the lives of others. The more credit she seems to receive from her fans, the more she seems to pass around, especially with her intentional mention of each songwriter during the show.

Perhaps acknowledging the recent loss of her good friend Ruth McGinnis, Grant ended the show with "Turn Turn Turn," a song derived from the book of Ecclesiastes stating: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die."

As the song played, my three-week old continued her peaceful slumber in her car seat. I thought back to my childhood, as a 12 year-old boy optimistically writing Amy an invitation to come sing at my church. I thought about the years ahead for Natalie - which artists will be her "wallpaper"? Which will inspire her enough to want to connect with them? I look forward to finding out.

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