Amy Grant supports new releases

Christian/crossover star Amy Grant will keep a busy touring schedule through the end of the year as she supports the 20th anniversary edition of her album "Lead Me On" as well as her forthcoming holiday set.

The singer/songwriter will warm up with a couple of dates in Iowa next month before launching her "Lead Me On 20th Anniversary Celebration Tour" Oct. 12 in Augusta, GA. Grant recently told Billboard that the US outing will feature most of the musicians who accompanied her on the original "Lead Me On" trek.

"I am so excited to recapture and re-engage audiences with these songs," Grant said in a statement. "I can honestly say that I am truly looking forward to getting out and performing these songs, and hope to bring back the passion and inspiration these songs brought out in me and so many."

The two-disc, 20th anniversary set, released in June, comprises the fully remastered original album plus a CD of new and previously unreleased material, including acoustic versions of the title track (featuring Grant's hubby, Vince Gill) and "Faithless Heart" with Michael W. Smith.

Grant is also gearing up for the holidays with her forthcoming "Christmas Collection," which is due Sept. 30. The album combines favorites from the performer's previous Christmas CDs with her first new holiday recordings in nine years. New original tunes include "I Need a Silent Night," co-written with Chris Eaton, and "Baby It's Christmas," co-written with Gill.

Grant and Gill will support the project with a December tour that is expected to visit 15 US cities. The outing focuses on the East Coast and currently wraps with a two-night stand at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Grant's full itinerary is listed below.

Between tour dates, the Grammy-winning singer is scheduled to tape the "Holiday Celebration on Ice" special for NBC-TV. The program will feature Grant and Smith singing Christmas favorites along with Olympic, World and National Champion skaters including Nancy Kerrigan and Viktor Petrenko, according to a press release. The special is set to air on NBC Nov. 30 and will also be televised multiple times on The Style Network and Universal HD.

Meanwhile, Grant told Billboard that she's got a dozen songs written for a new album and she hopes to record a few before she hits the road.

Grant, whose mainstream appeal is said to have opened the door for other Christian artists, has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide during her three-decade career, according to a press release. She has six Grammy Awards on her mantle along with 21 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.

[Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time of this story. Changes may occur before tickets go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for late updates.]
 tour dates and tickets
Amy Grant:

September 2008
19 - Sioux City, IA - Orpheum Theatre
20 - Des Moines, IA - Des Moines Civic Center

October 2008
12 - Augusta, GA - Family YMCA
16 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre
17 - Irvine, CA - Mariners Church
18 - Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Fox Theater
19 - Visalia, CA - Visalia Fox Theater
22 - Escondido, CA - California Center for the Arts
23 - Morgan Hill, CA - Ann Sobrato Performing Arts Center
24 - Modesto, CA - Gallo Center for the Arts
25 - Wendover, NV - Peppermill Concert Hall
27 - Portland, OR - Rolling Hills Community Church
28 - Redmond, WA - Overlake Christian Church
29 - Spokane, WA - INB Performing Arts Center

November 2008
1 - Prior Lake, MN - Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
11 - Las Vegas, NV - The Orleans Arena
13 - The Woodlands, TX - Fellowship of the Woodlands
15 - Branson, MO - The Mansion
16 - Wichita, KS - Central Christian Church
18 - Greeneville, TN - Niswonger Performing Arts Center
20 - Hershey, PA - Hershey Theatre
21 - Morristown, NJ - Community Theatre
22 - Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theatre

Amy Grant and Vince Gill Christmas tour:

December 2008
4 - Albany, NY - Times Union Center
5 - Augusta, NE - Augusta Civic Center
6 - West Point, NY - Eisenhower Hall
7 - Mashantucket, CT - MGM Grand @ Foxwoods
10 - Baltimore, MD - Lyric Opera House
11 - Salisbury, MD - Wicomico
12 - Manchester, NH - Verizon Wireless Arena
13 - Worcester, MA - DCU Center
15 - Atlanta, GA - Fox Theater
16 - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium
20 - St Charles, MO - Family Arena
22-23 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium

 tour dates and tickets
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