Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
Fans of Amy Grant are used to seeing her in spacious venues such as the Fox Theatre or Chastain Park Amphitheatre.
But those who prefer an intimate encounter — and have some deep pockets — can experience a weekend with the awards-laden singer-songwriter in a luxe environment later this month.
Grant is heading the inaugural Live at the Lake Cultural Series weekend Oct. 23-25 at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation. She’ll be joined by Nashville songwriter Leslie Satcher and author Tricia Rose Burt (“How to Draw a Nekkid Man”) for the three-day interactive gathering, which is limited to 100 people.
“Life in America involves a certain amount of chaos, so we thought, let’s try one of these,” Grant said recently from her home in Franklin, Tenn. “I don’t know what the weekend will look like exactly, but the magic will be how we create back and forth. We feel like the setting will be restful and wonderful.”
The resort on Lake Oconee, about 75 miles from Atlanta, will serve as the backdrop for the weekend events — which include lodging, several meals, a show from Burt the evening of Oct. 23, a day of creative experiences with Grant and her pals on Oct. 24 and, that evening, a concert by the veteran Christian-pop singer at Sandy Creek Barn, about 7 miles from the Ritz.
The all-inclusive price tag for the weekend is $2,999 per couple, which Ritz general manager Ralph Vick calls “a great value proposition to get to rub elbows with Amy and her friends.”
Grant was always at the top of the list of names considered to launch the series, which Vick hopes will take place quarterly at the resort.
“Everybody knows Amy, most of them like I do from her musical history,” Vick said. “But she’s an extraordinary lady, very spiritual in nature. When she came out and saw the resort, she really fell in love.”
Grant confirmed that after an August visit to the site, it stimulated “the tree hugger I’ve always been.”
That she can host the weekend with Burt, with whom she attended Vanderbilt University and reconnected at a college reunion, and Satcher has a serendipitous twist.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
“We were sitting around my table when we were all in Nashville and said, ‘We should do something together,’” Grant said.
Grant shared the idea with her manager, who, coincidentally, soon bumped into Nashville music industry veteran Don Donahue, who happened to be in talks to coordinate a weekend event at the Ritz.
“That’s when we all kind of went, ‘Whoa,’” Grant said with a laugh.
The insightful performer — who will return to the Atlanta area Dec. 18 for a Christmas concert with longtime musical partner Michael W. Smith at the Infinite Energy Arena in Gwinnett — believes the cozy setting will generate important and creative conversations in addition to the entertainment.
“Sometimes when you’re in a different setting, you can see yourself differently,” she said. “Everybody is hungry for an experience of connection.”
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EVENT PREVIEW
Live at the Lake Cultural Series
With Amy Grant, Leslie Satcher and Tricia Rose Burt. Oct. 23-25 at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation. $2,999 per couple, all inclusive. 706-467-7057, www.ritzcarlton.com.
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