Amy Grant jumps to EMI after three decades with Word

By Deborah Evans Price

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - After 30 years with Warners-owned Word Records, Christian music pioneer Amy Grant has left the roster, signing a deal with EMI Christian Music Group's Sparrow label that will include her catalog as well as new music.

Grant signed with Word in October 1976, one month shy of her 16th birthday.

"I had a great run with Word and still love the people there," Grant said. "But I feel like EMI is uniquely outfitted to do great things for the catalog. And I've known Bill Hearn (president/CEO of EMI Christian Music Group) and his father (Billy Ray Hearn, chairman of EMI Christian Music Group) for over 25 years. There's a comfort level there."

EMI has the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Bob Seger, Frank Sinatra and other major catalogs, and EMI executives say they look forward to promoting Grant's music.

"We really have a passion and mission for Amy's catalog," Bill Hearn said. "We're going to repackage and remaster all 16 of her catalog titles and release them all together on August 14 both physically and digitally as well as a suite of mobile products for the cell phone. There's never been a "Baby, Baby" ringtone. Imagine how popular that could be.

"We are certainly honored by Amy's confidence in us to carry on her musical legacy," Hearn added. "It certainly is a historical moment for EMI."

In addition to the August releases, EMI will release a new greatest hits package in October that will include at least one song from each of Grant's previous studio albums. There will also be a special edition that will include a DVD of Grant's music videos and other content.

KEY TO THE DEAL

When news surfaced that Grant's contract with Word was ending, there was much speculation as to whether she'd stay with the label or sign with one of the other three major Christian music companies. At one point, there were rumors she might sign with Sony BMG's Provident Music Group because Grant is managed by Nashville-based firm Blanton, Harrell, Cooke and Corzine, whose other major client, Michael W. Smith, is on Provident's Reunion label.

In the end, EMI won out. "I just think we presented a marketing plan that really resonated with Amy's team," Hearn said. "That's why we got the deal. We have a unique situation here at EMI CMG in that we have a strong partnership with EMI Music's catalog marketing division."

Grant is able to take her catalog with her to EMI because she has always owned her master recordings.

Grant's departure from Word is the end of an era for the 56-year-old company; Grant has sold more than 30 million albums there, the label says, and won six Grammy Awards and 21 Dove Awards.

"Word is honored to have been part of Amy's career for the past 30 years," Word senior vice president of marketing Rod Riley said. "She is a pioneer (who) paved the way for so many other Christian artists and we wish her the best on all her endeavors."

Grant will be on tour this summer with her husband, Vince Gill, and the Del McCoury Band. She's working on a book for Waterbrook Press due out this fall, a collection of poems, stories and other writings titled "Mosaic."

Reuters/Billboard