Amy Grant talks about ‘Heart in Motion’ 30th anniversary, ‘Jesus Music’ documentary

Already a massive star in the Christian music world, Amy Grant became a huge crossover success story with the release of her ninth studio effort, “Heart in Motion,” in 1991.

The album reached the top 10 on the pop charts on its way to selling some 5 million copies in the U.S. alone. Much of that success can be chalked up to the No. 1 hit “Baby, Baby” and the album’s other four top 20-charting pop singles — “Every Heartbeat,” “That’s What Love Is For,” “I Will Remember You” and “Good For Me.”

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Heart in Motion” with a tour that touches down at the City National Grove of Anaheim Oct. 20 and the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills Oct. 22.

Fans can also pick up a copy of the recently released two-disc anniversary edition of “Heart in Motion,” which includes a remastered version of the original album plus remixes and never-before-released tracks. Visit amygrant.com for more details.

I recently had the chance to chat with Grant about the milestone anniversary of her greatest commercial triumph.

Q: Let’s start off by looking back to the days before “Heart in Motion.” You were already a star in the industry, having notched several No. 1 albums on the Christian music charts. Did you have any notion that you could reach an even higher level of commercial success?

A: I don’t think I was ever really good at having an overview. I think if I have a talent, or a natural gift, it’s just that I get so engrossed in the moment at hand. I did have some great managers, who I’m sure were looking down the road and just trying to encourage me in different ways – probably wanting to broaden the audience.

Q: And that would certainly happen with “Heart in Motion,” which turned out to be a big crossover pop hit.

A: I was just doing music that I loved and that felt appropriate for every chapter in life. For the “Heart in Motion” record, I had two young kids at home and we were having dance parties every night. It doesn’t get anymore innocent fun than that. I feel like that’s really what that record captured – along with some more thoughtful songs. For me, every record has just been a snapshot of a time in life and I’m just trying to capture it as best I could.

Q: Plus, the album had so many good songs – “Every Heartbeat,” “That’s What Love Is For,” “I Will Remember You,” etc.

A: The other night, I did a private show here in Nashville. The first half of the concert, I was performing that record top to bottom. And I had never done that.

That was a pretty exceptional group of songs.

It made me go, “If you ever do another record, you need to make sure that there are no bad songs.” (Laughs)

I feel like those have stood the test of time.

Music. There needs to a song for every day. A song for the highest high, a song for the lowest low. Songs that celebrate faith, songs about heartache. Because music connects us and we need connections in all areas of life.

Q: Beyond the pop hits, name a song that really sticks out to you from “Heart in Motion.”

A: One is a song called “Ask Me” and I wrote it about a friend of mine. We didn’t get to be friends until we were in our 20s, but she had a history of sexual abuse in her childhood. When she finally told me her story – we were on a long walk one day – you could have knocked me over with a feather. I just thought, “How many people are walking around with this kind of a story as part of their childhood?” I could not get her words out of my head. I wrote that song really inspired by her and the life she had gone on to live. I just felt so moved by her.

Q: How are you spotlighting “Heart in Motion” on this concert tour?

A: I think there were 11 songs on the record and we will do at least seven of those in the show.

Q: Most of these tour dates were originally scheduled for 2020 — before the pandemic basically shut down the live music industry — so fans have been waiting a long time to see these shows. How has the reaction been thus far from audiences?

A: I think people are just so happy to be together and to enjoy music. Really, the things that bring us together are sports and the arts. I went to see Jackson Browne and James Taylor at the Nashville arena and most of us were singing through our masks “Shower the People” and “Fire and Rain” at the top of our lungs. Like everybody else, I was thinking, “I have missed this so much.” Just missed this kind of togetherness – because every night is unique, every crowd brings its own energy.

That sort of infinite energy that comes from the crowd to the stage, then from the stage to the crowd, is a beautiful thing.

Q: It certainly is.

A: It is. And it makes every night a once-in-a-lifetime (event). Every night is different – for all kinds of reasons. All of us are just so grateful to still be alive and well and making music.

Q: You are featured in “The Jesus Music,” the Erwin Brothers’ fascinating new documentary tracing the rise and origins of contemporary Christian music. What are your thoughts on the film?

A: I was very moved by that documentary. I think the Erwin Brothers did a great job showing the beginnings of the Jesus Music movement – especially the role of Billy Graham in giving the thumbs up. That was huge.

I love the questions and conversations that come up through this. To me, this just sparks an ongoing conversation.

If you go

Anaheim: 8 p.m. Oct. 20. City National Grove of Anaheim, 2200 E. Katella Ave. $31.50-$58.50. citynationalgroveofanaheim.com. All attendees will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours from the time of entry. Masks are required except when eating or drinking.

Beverly Hills: 7 p.m. Oct. 22. Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., $49-$115. wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com/saban-beverly-hills.  Attendees must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry. Masks are required.