Multi-platinum recording artists Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith have announced plans for a multi-city U.S. tour that will reunite these two iconic singer/songwriters for the first time on the road together (for a non-holiday tour) in more than two decades. Kicking off in early February, the “2 Friends” tour is slated to hit approximately 20 cities across the country, including Chicago, Omaha, Minneapolis and Cleveland, among others. A hometown concert has just been added at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 7:30 pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 3rd at 10 am at all Ticketmaster locations, the Ryman box office and ryman.com. Tickets are priced at $59.50, $49.50 and $39.50 (limited view).

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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 like “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.” They 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 (March 2010), and Smith’s brand new project, Wonder (Sept. 2010). Ticket information for the 2 Friends Tour will be available on each artist’s website: amygrant.com and michaelwsmith.com.