Vince Gill & Amy Grant: Tennesseans of the Year

By Brad Schmitt, For The Tennessea

As a child in the 1960s, Amy Grant remembers a single pregnant woman staying with her family.

Through a church-run program, “unwed mothers were just put in homes. That was a different time,” said the lifelong Nashvillian.

Grant saw her parents’ care and concern for others from a young age. She also remembers her family bringing in a foster child when the girl was only 7, a girl the family tried, but failed, to adopt. “My mother loved people,” Grant said simply.

Grant’s husband Vince Gill loves his mother, but he concedes he might’ve been a bit more self-centered as a child than his bride.

“My mom tells the story — I was a typical kid and she was harping on me all the time to cut the grass, cut the grass. And I never would,” Gill said. “And she said, ‘One day, I’m minding my own business and I hear the lawnmower start. And I thought, it’s finally got to him. He’s going to go cut the grass.’ She said the lawnmower was on for about two minutes and it was off again.

“I went out and cut about three strips in the yard to hit golf balls, so I could have a tighter lie,” said the avid golfer, laughing.

Read the rest of this article here

 

Article source: http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2011/12/25/vince-gill-amy-grant-tennesseans-of-the-year/

Cartoon critters are back in style this Christmas

New animation has been scarce in the annual holiday TV harvest for the past few years, but this season there’s a few fresh goodies. That furry crew from the days of cold launch things Thursday night with “Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas” (8 p.m., Fox).

There’s always some trouble with this snow-business herd, and Manny the mammoth gets his tusks full of it when Sid wrecks his favorite decoration – the scraggly Christmas boulder. Then Manny’s teen daughter wanders off to find Santa and he must go in pursuit.

By the end, they have set up the origins of Christmas trees, Santa’s elves, the naughty-and-nice list and flying reindeer.

Ray Romano, who voices Manny, says the story is a bit far-fetched, but so was the pairing of mammoths and dinosaurs, who missed each other in real life by many millions of years.

As for his personal favorite in the world of Christmas cartoons, it’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

“That was when I think of my childhood and I think of Christmas and watching an animated film. There weren’t many then. I’m talking about in the ’60s now. It’s ‘Charlie Brown Christmas,’ and the tree and Linus.”

He’s also a fan of the “The Grinch That Stole Christmas,” which is my No. 1, but he finds the Peanuts gang delights eternally.

“It’s very nostalgic for me to see it and it’s still on now. It still holds up. My kids watched it when they were at that age and pretty soon my grandkids are going to watch it. Oh God, I’m old.”

CBS delivers two new shows Friday. “Hoops Yoyo Ruin Christmas” (8 p.m.) is the story of the bumbling pair from Hallmark greeting card fame who wind up as unintentional stowaways aboard the sleigh and get sideways in the time-travel physics Santa uses to make his deadline.

They get it straightened out in time for the next feature, “The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf’s Story” (8:30 p.m.). This one has a familiar message about the meaning of the holiday delivered through the adventure of elf Chippey, who is dispatched to teach a little boy what the season is all about.

Best of Friday night’s offerings is probably “Jingle All the Way” (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel), with its engaging soft-focus animation. It’s the story of a homeless Husky pup trying to adopt a family, while dodging the dog-catcher’s net.

It’s time to set your DVRs. Here’s the highlights of the holidays:

-Thursday:

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (8 p.m., ABC): Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving feast is imperiled by the caterers, Snoopy and Woodstock, who make toast and popcorn as the main dish. With a bonus cartoon, “This Is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers.”

“Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas” (8 p.m., Fox): Christmas quest amid the glaciers.

“Happiness Is A Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown” (8:30 p.m., Fox): Peanuts gang tries to break Linus of the blanket habit.

“Radio City Holiday” (9 p.m., HGTV): Designer Thom Filicia transforms Radio City Music Hall’s Grand Lobby and Grand Lounge into a holiday wonderland.

“Holiday Inc.” (10 p.m., HGTV): Behind the scenes at decorating major New York landmarks including Macy’s and Time Warner Center.

-Friday:

“Jingle All the Way” (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel): Sweet story of Jingle, a Husky pup, struggling to get a boy to adopt him at Christmas.

“Hoops Yoyo Ruin Christmas” (8 p.m., CBS): Pink kitty Hoops and green bunny Yoyo become accidental stowaways on Santa’s sleigh.

“Cool Tools: Holiday Blowout 2011″ (8 p.m., DIY): Gifts for tool junkies.

“The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf’s Story” (8:30 p.m., CBS): Based on the children’s book, elf Chippey is sent to help a boy find the magic of Christmas.

-Saturday:

“Debbie Macomber’s Trading Christmas” (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel): A widow flies to Boston to surprise her daughter at Christmas, only to find she’s flown off with a new boyfriend. But mom finds a romance of her own over the holiday.

“Holiday Block Party” (8 p.m., HGTV): Designers Antonio Ballatore, Meg Caswell and Tracey Porter team up with homeowners to decorate.

-Sunday:

“Holiday Engagement” (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel): Dumped by her fiance and afraid of disappointing her overbearing mother, a woman hires an actor to pretend to be her boyfriend over the holidays. Stars Bonnie Somerville, Shelley Long, Jason Bridges and Haylie Duff.

“Desperately Seeking Santa” (8 p.m., ABC Family): Mall executive falls for Santa.

“Challenge: Christmas Classics” (8 p.m., Food Network): Cake designers bake with holiday themes.

-Monday:

“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (8 p.m., ABC): Dr. Seuss’s classic children’s book narrated by Boris Karloff.

“Shrek the Halls” (8:30 p.m., ABC): Everyone tries to cheer up a grumpy Shrek at the holiday.

-Tuesday:

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (8 p.m., CBS, Channel 3): Burl Ives narrates the story of the oddball reindeer.

-Nov. 30:

“Christmas in Rockefeller Center” (8 p.m., NBC): Features Michael Buble, Tony Bennett, Justin Bieber, Cee Lo Green, Faith Hill, Carole King, Katharine McPhee, Javier Colon and The Radio City Rockettes.

-Dec. 1:

“Mickey’s Christmas Carol” (6 p.m., ABC Family): Mickey plays Bob Cratchit, Uncle Scrooge plays Ebenezer.

“Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too” (6:30 p.m., ABC Family): Pooh and Piglet rush to get Christopher Robin’s letter to Santa.

“The Santa Clause” (7 p.m., ABC Family): Tim Allen stars as a single dad drafted into Santahood.

“Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (8 p.m., ABC): In this 1970 Rankin-Bass animation, Fred Astaire narrates the story of Kris Kringle (voiced by Mickey Rooney) who overcomes the evil Burgermeister to become Santa.

“CMA Country Christmas” (9 p.m., ABC): Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland hosts special that features music from Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer, Sugarland and Keith Urban. Vince Gill sings with Miss Piggy.

-Dec. 2:

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (8 p.m., ABC Family): Jim Carey’s live-action adaption.

-Dec. 3:

“It’s a Wonderful Life” (8 p.m., NBC): Guardian angel shows a suicidal man, played by Jimmy Stewart, why life matters in this 1946 classic.

“A Princess for Christmas” (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel): A woman winds up in a European castle with her orphaned niece and nephew for the holidays. Stars Sir Roger Moore, Katie McGrath.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (Midnight, ABC Family): Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s Pumpkin King, becomes fascinated with something called “Christmas.”

-Dec. 4:

“Heart of Christmas” (7 p.m., GMC): Based on the story of an Illinois town that had an early Christmas for a boy battling leukemia.

-Dec. 5:

“Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (6 p.m., ABC Family): Rudolph must find the runaway Baby New Year.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys” (7 p.m., ABC Family): Evil Toy Taker steals Santa’s toys.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (8 p.m., ABC): Peanuts gang and a scraggly tree celebrate the holiday.

“25 Most Heartwarming Holiday TV Moments” (8 p.m., TV Guide Channel): Memorable scenes from TV specials.

“Prep Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” (8:30 p.m., ABC): Naughty kid hacks into North Pole computer.

“The Polar Express” (8:30 p.m., ABC Family): Tom Hanks narrates the children’s classic story.

-Dec. 6:

“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” (6 p.m., ABC Family): Joel Grey narrates Clement Moore’s poem.

“A Michael Buble Christmas” (8 p.m., NBC): Michael Buble sings holiday songs.

“Home Alone 2″ (8:30 p.m., ABC Family): Lost child finds crooks are planning a toy store heist.

-Dec. 7:

“A Very Pink Christmas” (6 p.m., ABC Family): Pink Panther gets in competition with Big Nose to sell trees.

“Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale” (8 p.m., ABC Family): Mouse family finds shelter on Christmas Eve.

-Dec. 8:

“Jack Frost” (6 p.m., ABC Family): Jack Frost becomes human.

“Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” (7 p.m., ABC Family): Jack Frost tries to ruin Frosty’s wedding.

“Cranberry Christmas” (7:30 p.m., ABC Family): Mr. Whiskers fights Cyrus Grape for the local skating bog.

“Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (8 p.m., ABC Family): Fred Astaire narrates the story of Kris Kringle, voiced by Mickey Rooney.

“Year Without a Santa Claus” (9 p.m., ABC Family): Santa says he won’t do it; Mrs. Claus steps in.

“A Miser Brothers’ Christmas” (10 p.m., ABC Family): Santa throws out his back, threatening Christmas.

-Dec. 9:

“Frosty the Snowman” (8 p.m., CBS): Magic hat enlivens a snowman in tale narrated by Jimmy Durante.

“Frosty Returns” (8:30 p.m., CBS): And he’s back! Jonathan Winters narrates; John Goodman is voice of Frosty.

“Yes, Virginia” (9 p.m., CBS,): Famous editorial comes to life in animated special with voices of Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Alfred Molina.

-Dec. 10:

“Snow” (7:30 a.m., ABC Family): Tom Cavanagh plays Santa’s son, taking over the business.

“Snow 2: Brain Freeze” (9:30 a.m., ABC Family): Santa’s son forgets who he is just before Christmas.

“Jack Frost” (4 p.m., ABC Family): Michael Keaton plays a man too busy for his son who dies and is reincarnated as a snowman.

“Annie Claus Is Coming to Town” (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel): Santa’s daughter takes off for Los Angeles at Christmas to find romance and befriends a struggling toyshop owner. Stars Vivica A. Fox, Vicki Lawrence.

“Flight Before Christmas” (9 p.m., CBS): Animated story of flying reindeer tryouts.

-Dec. 11:

“Snow Globe” (Noon, ABC Family): Snow globe transports girl to an idyllic Christmas.

“Santa Baby” (2 p.m., ABC Family): Jenny McCarthy plays a driven executive whose father is Santa.

“Holiday in Handcuffs” (6 p.m., ABC Family): Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez in tale of a woman who kidnaps a man for Christmas so she’ll have a boyfriend to show her parents.

“Chuckmas” (8 p.m., Cooking Channel): Chef Chuck Hughes hosts Christmas dinner for his family of amateur critics.

“White House Christmas” (8 p.m., HGTV): Designer Genevieve Gorder examines the mansion’s holiday decor.

“12 Dates of Christmas” (8 p.m., ABC Family): Amy Smart and Mark-Paul Gosselaar in the story of a woman who relives a Christmas Eve date, “Groundhog Day” style.

-Dec. 12:

“A Flintstone Christmas: (6 p.m., ABC Family): Fred steps in as Santa.

“Hollywood Christmas Parade” (6 p.m., Hallmark Channel): Marie Osmond hosts the Southern California parade, which includes the Wells Fargo stagecoach.

-Dec. 13:

“Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special” (6:30 p.m., ABC Family): Po faces a conflict as host of the Winter Feast.

“The Christmas Pageant” (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel): Hot-tempered Broadway director gets fired, winds up running a small town Christmas pageant. Stars Melissa Gilbert.

“Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with David Archuleta and Michael York” (8 p.m., PBS): Holiday favorites including “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World.”

-Dec. 14:

“George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” (8 p.m., PBS): New York City Ballet live from Lincoln Center.

-Dec. 15:

“A Chipmunk Christmas” (6 p.m., ABC Family): Alvin gives his harmonica to a sick boy.

“Miracle on 34th Street” (8 p.m., AMC): A court must decide if a Macy’s Santa is the real deal.

-Dec. 16:

“Mickey’s Christmas Special” (6 p.m., ABC Family): Disney holiday tales.

“Christmas in Washington” (8 p.m., TNT): Hosted by Conan O’Brien, a concert featuring Justin Bieber, Cee Lo Green, Jennifer Hudson, Victoria Justice and The Band Perry.

-Dec. 17:

“Christmas Returns to Canaan” (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel): In this sequel to 2009′s “Christmas in Canaan,” a father falls for his son’s doctor. Stars Billy Ray Cyrus.

“Story of Santa Claus” (9 p.m., CBS): Musical special featuring voices of Edward Asner, Betty White and Tim Curry.

-Dec. 18:

“Christmas Magic” (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel): A rookie angel helps a struggling restaurateur.

-Dec. 19:

“Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation” (6 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Phineas and Ferb build a rest stop for Santa.

-Dec. 20:

“SNL: A Very Gilly Christmas” (9 p.m., NBC): Holiday sketches from “Saturday Night Live” including Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, Kristen Wiig, Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg.

“Deck the Halls” (9 p.m., TNT): Mary Higgins Clark holiday mystery story brings detectives together at the holiday.

-Dec. 21:

“A Home for the Holidays” (8 p.m., CBS): Musical performances and adoption stories.

-Dec. 23:

“All Out American Christmas” (1 p.m., HGTV): Survey of lavishly decorated neighborhoods across the country including Invershiel Court in Mint Hill.

“Olive, the Other Reindeer” (8 p.m., CW): A dog steps in when a reindeer is hurt.

“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (9 p.m., CW): A child sets out to find his missing grandmother and show that Santa exists.

-Dec. 24:

“A Christmas Story” (8 p.m., TBS): 24-hour marathon of the Jean Shepherd story about Ralphie and the Red Ryder BB gun.

“Mass at St. Peter’s” (11:30 p.m., NBC, Channel 36): Christmas Eve mass from Rome.

Mark Washburn: mwashburn@charlotteobserver.com

Article source: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/23/3282677/cartoon-critters-are-back-in-style.html

Vince Gill hosting America’s Opry Weekend Thanksgiving Special Wednesday-Sunday

 

Vince Gill (AP file)

Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill will host the America’s Opry Weekend Thanksgiving Special slated to air on radio Wednesday-Sunday.

The radio program will celebrate Thanksgiving and the beginning of a music-filled holiday season, with the Norman-born, Oklahoma City-bred singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist playing some of the year’s biggest hits about life, home, and thanks.

The America’s Opry Weekend Thanksgiving Special will also contain cuts from Gill’s new release, “Guitar Slinger,” and several of his all-time holiday favorites, including some he’ll be singing with his wife Amy Grant on the couple’s 2011 “Twelve Days of Christmas” tour.

Among the artists and songs included in the Thanksgiving special are Gill’s “Blue Christmas,” Ada native Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You,” Checotah native Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home,” Dierks Bentley’s “Home,” Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” Trade Adkins’ “Million Dollar View” and Brad Paisley’s “Winter Wonderland.”

In celebration of the radio special, opry.com has added a “Guitar Slinger” section to the site featuring an exclusive interview with Gill about the new album and a Guitar Town Sweepstakes offering guitars autographed by the award-winner and a three-day Nashville getaway.

America’s Opry Weekend presents top artists’ performances from the Opry stage each week. The show is serviced by Dial Global and airs on country radio stations across the country and on the Armed Forces Radio Network.

The Grand Ole Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. Celebrating 85 years of entertainment, the Opry can be heard on 650 WSM-AM, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, and opry.com. The syndicated weekly program, America’s Opry Weekend, airs on country radio stations across America and on the Armed Forces Radio Network.

Gill, who also is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, recently taped with British singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Sting an episode of “CMT Crossroads” that will debut at 7 p.m. Thursday on Country Music Television.

Check out Gill and Sting’s recent AP interview by clicking here.

-BAM

Article source: http://blog.newsok.com/bamsblog/2011/11/22/vince-gill-hosting-americas-opry-weekend-thanksgiving-special-wednesday-sunday/

Vince Gill and Amy Grant perform duet on “CMA Country Christmas” TV special

First, a quick Happy Birthday to Amy Grant…always a beauty from Age to Age ;)

Vince Gill and Amy Grant

Country Music Hall of Famer and Oklahoma native Vince Gill and his wife, best-selling contemporary Christian singer Amy Grant, will be featured giving a lovely performance of  “Breath Of Heaven (Mary’s Song)” during the TV special “CMA Country Christmas,” airing from 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1  on the ABC Television Network.

It will be Gill’s second duet on the televised concert special: The Norman-born, Oklahoma City-bred singer/songwriter/guitarist also performs a special duet with Miss Piggy of “The Muppets” fame.

Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles will host the two-hour holiday extravaganza with performances from Rascal Flatts (which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney), “American Idol” runner-up Lauren Alaina, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer with special guest Brad Paisley, Sugarland and Keith Urban.

-BAM

Article source: http://blog.newsok.com/bamsblog/2011/11/21/vince-gill-and-amy-grant-perform-duet-on-cma-country-christmas-tv-special/

Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith are ’2 Friends’ on tour

Two of the biggest names in Contemporary Christian music — Amy
Grant and Michael W. Smith — joined forces this fall on the “2
Friends Tour.”

Saturday’s concert in Merrillville is one of the final stops on
their three-month trek together. It’s also the first time Grant has
performed at Star Plaza Theatre.

It will be her first time back in Northwest Indiana since 2002,
when she gave a 30–minute performance at Family Christian Center in
Munster while touring in support of her gospel album “Legacy.”

Between Grant and Smith, there are seven Grammy Award wins, 65
Dove Award wins, a couple of Emmys, and a gazillion records sold.
To call this anything short of a dream package for fans of this
style of music is an understatement.

Smith — with 29 No. 1 hits on the Contemporary Christian chart
– is one of the most influential and best–selling artists of the
genre.

Grant who released her first album in 1977, has become the
best–selling Contemporary Christian artist in history to date.

Grant and Smith were friends long before the fame, awards and
accolades came to them. In 1982, Smith was hired as keyboardist and
back–up singer for Grant on her “Age To Age” tour. With her
support, he ventured into solo recording in 1983 after signing with
Reunion Records, which was started by Grant’s then brother–in–law.
Smith, remaining a member of her group, often playing his music as
her opening act, until 1984 when after a Grammy nomination and and
hit single (“Friends”) launched his solo career and made him a
headline artist.

Grant and Smith have teamed up together to do live shows
sporadically over the years.

Smith cites the current “2 Friends Tour” as a happy reunion for
both of them. Logistically, Grant opens the show with Smith joining
her for some songs; then he takes the stage during the second half,
and Grant returns the favor by joining him for a couple of
tunes.

“It’s a streamlined little package,” said Grant of the
production which features a total of 13 musicians, who all travel
together by bus.

“From a work stand point, I’ve had the amazing opportunity that
anything I’ve ever wanted to try, for some reason, the door has
opened. I feel very content when it comes to (my) work,” said
Grant, whose most recent album is 2010′s “Somewhere Down The
Road.”

That album — her first new studio recording in six years during
a period that included a live concert disc and a “Greatest Hits”
collection — landed Grant a 2010 Grammy nomination for the single
“Better Than A Hallelujah.”

“The honesty of it, the vulnerability of the lyrics, the
beautiful melody, and that the song found me right where I was in
my own journey was incredibly powerful,” she said of how the song
resonated with her while dealing with the recent death of her dear
friend, musician Ruth McGinnis. “It’s just so poignant.”

It’s one of the new tunes fans can expect to hear Saturday.

Grant said she has been busy writing songs for a new album
targeted for 2012.

 

Article source: http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/music/amy-grant-and-michael-w-smith-are-friends-on-tour/article_20a3617a-6d9a-56d9-9ace-8a77f7246e4b.html

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