Amy Courts

Artist Information

Biography

With the July 2008 release of the independent follow-up to her 2005 EP, THESE COLD AND RUSTED LUNGS, produced by Nelison Hubbard (Garrison Starr, Matthew Perryman Jones, Kate York, Matthew Ryan), Amy Courts shows with effortless fluency that she is indeed here to stay. With her trademark impassioned vocals, captivating melodies, and audacious honesty, she ably takes on love, heartache, spirituality, and personal demons. Though her voice and songs invoke inevitable comparisons to great singer-songwriters like Jennifer Knapp, Patty Griffin, and Derek Webb, her sound and experience are uniquely her own, and are delivered with a rare distinction.

Since making the move to Nashville in September 2003, Amy released a debut EP, took on marriage and step-motherhood, quit her day job, embarked on a full-time career in music, and became an artist sponsor with the African Aid organization, Mocha Club. In promotion of her music and Mocha Club sponsorship, she has performed hundreds of acoustic and full-band concerts across the nation, including four Major League Baseball and NASCAR National Anthem performances and an acoustic pre-game fan concert in the Summer of 2008 for hundreds of thousands of fans at the Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Motor Speedway, and Kansas City Royals. Additionally, her first two singles from THESE COLD AND RUSTED LUNGS - "Shiver" and "The Liars" - are currently playing in regular rotation on over 150 stations worldwide and have both reached #3 on CRW's Independent Radio Charts.

“The past five years have been a bit of a whirlwind,“ Amy notes. “As my life has expanded into marriage, step-motherhood, and lending my voice and passion to the incredible needs in Uganda, I’m constantly aware of the need to deliberately give myself to something bigger than me. Whether by giving my family an hour of time I might rather spend writing or resting, forgiving someone who hasn’t asked for it, being deliberate about spiritual quietness, or acting on my human responsibility to care for the fatherless and the widow simply because I am able, I’m continually challenged and inspired to reach beyond my own issues into a wider sphere and higher calling.”

And reach she does. As her life and passions have evolved, they have delivered Amy into a place of greater personal maturity and global understanding, which she explores in depth. Without becoming egocentric or self-indulgent, she dives into common human experiences with profound effect. In the rock ballads, “Hold You Up” and “Company,” Amy expresses that despite hurt, frustration, and time spent apart in marriage, committed, unconditional love is the end-all. Paradoxically, “Inevitable” and “I Told You So” relate to the harsher sides of romance, when efforts are exhausted and love isn’t quite enough.

The more personal memoirs of “The Liars” and “Barely Breathing” show Amy fighting the inner demons of fear and disillusionment that invariably accompany spiritual drought. And still, she draws the focus back to ultimate hope with “Nothing Better” and “In You.”

Though undeniably heavy and occasionally dark, Amy’s message music is ultimately a declaration of abandoned hope and a call to greater personal action. Where other artists skim the surface or sit comfortably in the realms of musical interest alone, Amy digs deep and gives generously from those depths. Whether through her on-stage performance, or in her daily passion for global and local social justice, Amy makes an indelible mark on everyone she meets.

Watch for Amy during Summer and Fall 2009 as she hits the road on her ACTIVATE Tour, during which she'll be giving free concerts for local community service organizations, homeless and womens' shelters, detention centers, prisons, youth camps, and other neighborhood empowerment events to raise awareness and money for those living in and around poverty.

Instrumentation

Amy Courts: Lead Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Rhythm Guitars

Paul Koopman: Lead Guitars, Bass, BGVs

Josh Martin: Drums & Percussion

With Occasional Help From:
Brad Weir (bass), Nicki Holmes (bass & keys), Kevin Powell (keys), Rich Stevens (keys), Albert Kiteck (guitars), Andrea Carroll (strings) and more.

Discography

ALBUMS:
| "These Cold and Rusted Lungs":: Released July 29, 2008. Includes singles "Shiver," "The Liars," and "Breathe." Produced by Neilson Hubbard.

| "Amy Courts EP":: released May 26, 2006. Includes singles "Barely Breathing," "Nothing Better," "Company," "Save Me," and "Alone"

SINGLES:
| "Shiver" (from "These Cold and Rusted Lungs"): released August 2008 through CRW Platinum Gold Radio Promotions. Currently in rotation on over 100 stations worldwide.

| "The Liars" (from "These Cold and Rusted Lungs"): released May 2008 through CRW Platinum Gold Radio Promotions. Currently in rotation on over 100 stations worldwide.

| "The Wait is Over" released December 2006 on Independent compilation, "Transcending Christmas: A Beautiful Journey from Heaven to Earth"

| "Nothing Better" (from "Amy Courts EP"): released May 2006. Currently in rotation through independent distribution online to over 50 stations nationwide.

|"Barely Breathing" (from "Amy Courts EP"): released May 2006. Currently in rotation through independent distribution online to over 50 stations nationwide.

| "Company" (from "Amy Courts EP"): released May 2006. Currently in rotation through independent distribution online to over 50 stations nationwide.

| "Alone" (from "Amy Courts EP"): released May 2006. Currently in rotation through independent distribution online to over 50 stations nationwide.

| "Save Me" (from "Amy Courts EP"): released May 2006. Currently in rotation through independent distribution online to over 50 stations.

| "In You": released December, 2004 on Independent Compilation: "Transcending: A Beautiful Journey from Here to There"

| "Unnerving": released April 2004 independently for radio and internet play

Audio

• The Liars (from "These Cold and Rusted Lungs")
  Listen  
• Shiver (from "These Cold and Rusted Lungs")
  Listen  
• Breathe (from "These Cold and Rusted Lungs")
  Listen  
• Stand (from "These Cold and Rusted Lungs")
  Listen  
• Barely Breathing (from "Amy Courts EP")
  Listen  

Lyrics

• The Liars
• Shiver
• Breathe
• Stand
• Barely Breathing

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• SINGER/SONGWRITER MAKES A BRILLIANT HONEST DEBUT [+ Show ]
  

  "Courts’ debut LP, 'These Cold and Rusted Lungs,' is absolutely inventive within its singer/songwrit..."Courts’ debut LP, 'These Cold and Rusted Lungs,' is absolutely inventive within its singer/songwriter scope, polished even in its vulnerability. ...[She is] a female Derek Webb."
  
  (c)2008 Matt Conner, CCM Magazine
  
  For full review, visit:
  http://www.ccmmagazine.com/reviews/music/11580655/

• "One of the Year's Best" [+ Show ]
  

  "I absolutely love this debut and think it’s one of the year’s best thus far - honest, simple tunes ..."I absolutely love this debut and think it’s one of the year’s best thus far - honest, simple tunes that are allowed to be what they are without having to add any pop radio flair to them."
  
  (Matt Conner | Editor-in-Chief, Soul-Audio.com, on "These Cold and Rusted Lungs")

• Four Stars for Amy Courts [+ Show ]
  

  "Courts' reflections on the tough times are never self-indulgent, but rather honest reflections on h..."Courts' reflections on the tough times are never self-indulgent, but rather honest reflections on humanity that simply remind us again just how much we really need God in the first place."
  
  (c)2008 Christa Banister
  
  For full review, visit: http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2008/thesecoldandrustedlungs.html

• Amy Courts’ “These Cold and Rusted Lungs”: A Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Courts is a polished and seasoned singer who has been around the block and seems to be settling int..."Courts is a polished and seasoned singer who has been around the block and seems to be settling into who she is an artist with her newest offering."
  
  (as reviewed by C.E. Moore)
  
  For full review, visit:
  http://thechristianmanifesto.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/amy-courts-these-cold-and-rusted-lungs-a-review/

• Amy Courts: These Cold and Rusted Lungs [+ Show ]
  

  "Amy Courts continues to forge a path influenced by artists like Jennifer Knapp, Patty Griffin and J..."Amy Courts continues to forge a path influenced by artists like Jennifer Knapp, Patty Griffin and Jonatha Brooke, but the end result is uniquely hers, a refreshingly authentic statement in a plastic world overrun with trite lyrics....These Cold and Rusted Lungs [is] a tour de force of the singer/songwriter genre."
  
  As reviewed by Randy Brandt for Al Menconi Ministries
  
  (c)2008 Randy Brandt
  
  For full review, visit:
  http://www.almenconi.com/reviews.php?art_id=1280

• Fresh And Wonderful New Amy Courts Album [+ Show ]
  

  "If you were to only pick one Christian music album to add to your collection this year, then These ..."If you were to only pick one Christian music album to add to your collection this year, then These Cold And Rusted Lungs should be it. Amy’s faith shines through the lyrics on the songs and her vocals are beyond wonderful. Add to her voice the wonderful keyboard and guitar playing and you get a multi-faceted faith based artist."
  
  As reviewed by Bruce Von Stiers
  
  (c)2008
  
  For full review, visit:
  http://www.bvsreviews.com/amycourts2.htm

• These Cold and Rusted Lungs [+ Show ]
  

  "Amy is obviously gifted, versatile, and at all times passionate and honest. Every track is a dive i..."Amy is obviously gifted, versatile, and at all times passionate and honest. Every track is a dive into human experience, spiritual frailty, and a thirsty search for God. In a world of over-produced Christian pop, and corny Jesus songs, Amy Courts’ These Cold And Rusted Lungs is a godsend. It is better than most sermons. It is that good."
  
  As reviewed by LoFi Tribe
  
  (c) 2008 Lo-Fi Tribe
  
  For full review, visit:
  http://www.lofitribe.com/2008/05/30/these-cold-and-rusted-lungs-by-amy-courts/#more-1052

• Amy Courts: "These Cold and Rusted Lungs" [+ Show ]
  

  "The music was a great comfort and Amy’s Voice is something that gets inside you, past all the walls..."The music was a great comfort and Amy’s Voice is something that gets inside you, past all the walls and scars of the years....Amy is a Vocal Poet. Her turn of phrase and choice of words paints mental pictures that are clear and rich in detail. This is an album that I will no doubt pull out and listen to for the pleasure of the music, but it is also an album I will pull out and listen to for the message and the comfort it brings."
  
  As reviewed by JustTerry
  
  (c)2008 JT Indie
  
  For full review, visit:
  http://www.jtindie.com/2008/06/cd-review-amy-courts-these-cold-and-rusted-lungs/

• These Cold and Rusted Lungs [+ Show ]
  

  "You can hear people crying and praying and searching for God in her songs, and you feel better know..."You can hear people crying and praying and searching for God in her songs, and you feel better knowing you’re not the only one who’s felt that way. And in the midst of it all you know there’s light coming, because no matter how much you doubt, you still know God is good."
  
  (c) 2008 The Blah Blah
  
  For full review, visit:
  http://theblahblah.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/amy-courts-these-cold-and-rusted-lungs/#more-241

Setlist

Typical sets consist of 10-25 songs, primarily originals but including some covers, all selected from the list below. Sets can be played solo acoustic (Amy alone or with one additional guitarist), or with a full band, according to the venue's preference.

ORIGINALS
Shiver
Under the Fall
Everything
Hold You Up
Spoken For
Save Me
You Remain
Where Are You Now
The Liars
Blessed Are
Stand
In You
Company
Alone
Nothing Better
Grace & Thunder
Unnerving
Identify
Too Many Offers
I Cannot Contend
Sing
Barely Breathing
Free
Isaiah
Icycle Storms
Right Here
Nobody Told Me
Sky Fall Down

COVERS
Know Who Your Friends Are (The Pretenders)
I'll Stand By You (The Pretneders)
We Belong (Pat Benatar)
The Story (Brandi Carlisle)
Turpentine (Brandi Carlisle)
Desperado (The Eagles)
Here With Me (Dido)
Thank You (Dido)
I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
I Am (Jill Phillips)
Love is Blindness (U2)
Original of the Species (U2)
Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)
The Chain (Fleetwood Mac)
Stop Draggin My Heart Around (Stevie Nicks)
You Answer Me (Jennifer Knapp)
Into You (Jennifer Knapp)
Every Little Bit (Patty Griffin)
Rain (Patty Griffin)
Annie (Jonatha Brooke)
Ten Cent Wings (Jonatha Brooke)
Because of You (Kelly Clarkson)
Shadowfeet (Brooke Fraser)
CS Lewis Song (Brooke Fraser)
The Lines of My Earth (Sixpence None the Richer)
Safe and Sound (Sheryl Crow)
Strong Enough (Sheryl Crow)
My Favorite Mistake (Sheryl Crow)
I Will Remember You (Sarah McLachlan)
Stupid (Sarah McLachlan)
Both Sides Now (Joni Miller)
St. Theresa (Joan Osborne)
Home (Michael Buble)
Wild Horses (Rolling Stones)
Ramble On (Led Zeppelin)
Walk The Line (Johnny Cash)
You Are My Joy (David Crowder*Band)
Along the Wall (Leigh Nash)
Ocean Size Love (Leigh Nash)
Between the Lines (Leigh Nash)
Come to Jesus (Mindy Smith)
Jolene (Dolly Parton)
Dare You To Move (Switchfoot)

Basic Requirements

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