“Christmas Must be Something More” for young musician Amy Grant, who earlier this month received a gift in the form of the release of her debut video, based on her Live 2011 performance of the song at the Brickdam Cathedral’s Festival of Carols.
The 11-year-old pupil of Mae’s Primary said she felt especially close to the Taylor Swift song because of its lyrical message. The song is about the special, wholesome holiday spirit, enjoying the simplicities of Christmas and remembering its true meaning instead of the mass marketing event it has become today.
The video is receiving positive attention on YouTube and has aired on both radio and television nationally. Amy is very gifted at playing the guitar and has been singing since the age of eight. She noted that this was her very first video production and she feels very proud of the outcome.
No connection to the American singer/songwriter of the same name, Amy Grant is related to other singing Grants, Rudy being her father and the famous Eddy her uncle. Singing “runs in my blood”, she says, adding, “Uncle Eddy serves as a huge inspiration to me. He always tells me to continue singing if that is what I love.”
Asked how she felt about the music video, Amy said, “I felt excited when it came out, very anxious and surprised.”
She was surprised because she did not know a music video was being produced of her. Her parents under the direction of Noel Harlequin from Comvitech edited and produced the video which served as an early Christmas present for Amy. Her mother was the brainstorm behind the production and Amy noted she inspires her. Amy’s father, Rudy Grant said that the video was originally meant to be an upgrade of her 2011 performance.
But singing is not the only thing she enjoys, Amy is a member of the Silver Shark Swim Club and a regular at the National Aquatic Centre. She recently competed in the National Inter-school’s Athletic Championships, where she won the 50 Metres Girls under 12 Backstroke and placed second in the 50 Metres Freestyle.
Amy took the opportunity to send out Holiday greetings to the people who have supported her along the way: her swim coaches, Ms Isabella from Cuba, Mr Rawle, her swim club, her guitar teacher, choir conductor, piano teachers, her friends especially Sarah Kind, her entire family and all Guyana.
