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Where does that leave your relationship with A&M at this point?

Grant The release of this Greatest Hits is the end of that relationship, but there are no hard feelings. They were purchased by Interscope, which has a bulk of alternative artists making music and getting out there. Relationships are such a huge part of it and I choose to live in Nashville because my whole family is there. I couldn't re-engage with the ever-changing face of the company, so I'm not begrudging any of that. As the music business continues to change, I don't know if it would ever make sense to sign with two majors. Record companies just have to reinvent the wheel as they go.�

Record labels used to spend tons of money to break an artist. Did that happen for you?

Grant During the Heart In Motion years, the advertising budgets were unbelievable! They spent so much money, definitely in the six-figure range for each video. It was a huge company with everyone from Sting to Sheryl Crow and I was just one of several drops in the bucket for them.

With the economic dip in the music industry, how have things changed?

Grant When we did the video for "Simple Things," I remember looking at the budget and thinking how modest it was—so modest that we did half of it in my side yard and the other half in a friend's yard. I could see the writing on the wall, but I'm not saying any of this from a "why can't things stay the same?" perspective. I'm in awe that I was ever a part of the crest in that gigantic wave. That was so thrilling.

Your music seems to be shifting away from pop to a more introspective direction. How have you seen your career change during the 18 years this CD covers?

Grant The songs started out in the '80s as creative expressions of a young woman, but I'm 44 now and my mind hasn't been writing the same kind of stuff. Now I'm needing to find an appropriate fan base and outlet for that music. It's a little bit more laid back now, even though sometimes fans will want the more rousing pop again. But I look at it this way: If you went to your closet today, would you pull out the same outfit you wore ten or fifteen years ago? You wear feelings and faith differently as well, which is why I think the two new songs ["The Water" and "Come Be With Me" with Keb' Mo'] are more indicative of where my creative interests lie right now.

My favorite shows in Nashville now are actually at this little place called The Bluebird [Café]. I have to laugh, remembering my shows with five costume changes, and although that was so fun, I'd rather be doing shows at places like the Bluebird right now.

It's funny you say that because you're currently on a major Christmas tour with costume changes!

Grant It is a very beautiful and lush show that actually does have three costume changes. But that's more of a specialty show, not my own solo, non-seasonal show. The response [to the Christmas show] has been great. It's basically a three-hour evening between myself, my husband, and comedian Henry Cho. We work music into his comedy, laughing at family dysfunction and celebrating faith by reading the Christmas story from Luke.

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