Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith coming to Western New York

by Mark Weber

www.buffalochristian.com

Kingdom Bound Ministries of Buffalo is pleased to present multi-platinum recording artists Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith in concert, together, at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 4, at Rochester's Auditorium Theatre, 885 Main St. Tickets are $42.50, $52.50 and $77.50, and available through ticketmaster.com. Call Kingdom Bound at 800-461-4485 for more information.

Undoubtedly a landmark experience for music fans, the tour showcases two of Christian music's most recognized and beloved artists who have, together, won nine Grammy Awards and sold more than 47 million albums. The two first toured together in 1982 on Grant's "Age to Age" tour. Her "Age to Age" album was exploding up the Christian music charts, thanks to hits such as "El Shaddai" and "Sing Your Praise To The Lord."

Smith toured as Grant's keyboard player and opening act, supporting his debut release, "Project," which generated instant classics like "Great Is The Lord" and "Friends." Grant and Smith toured together on and off through the rest of that decade, culminating in the record-setting "Lead Me On" tour. They have continued to collaborate together musically over the years.

"I've always said I wouldn't be where I am without Amy Grant," Smith says. "When Amy hired me to play keyboards for her, I never could have anticipated where it would take me. This many years later, to get to tour together again is just awesome. When I think about set lists and what we might do together, the question isn't, 'Where do we start?' The question is, 'Where do we stop?' This will be a fun night with a lot of great memories."

"That first decade we toured together was really pretty amazing," Grant adds. "There's a nostalgia element that comes with having worked with someone solidly for so long and I'm ecstatic about hitting the road with Michael again. We will share the stage and participate in each other's sets. But no kidding, I will have just as much fun sitting on the side of the stage and watching him. It will be like old times."

Both artists will perform music from their vast catalog of fan favorites, along with selections from their current chart-topping albums: Grant's "Somewhere Down The Road" (released in March 2010), and Smith's brand new project, "Wonder" (September 2010).

The concert is presented by Kingdom Bound Ministries, which is gearing up for the 25th anniversary Kingdom Bound Christian music festival at Darien Lake Theme Park and Resort, July 31 through Aug. 3. This summer's festival will feature headliners Newsboys, Casting Crowns, Skillet and Chris Tomlin. For more information, visit kingdombound.org or call 1-800-461-4485.