Popular Grammy Award-winning artist Amy Grant sang for more than two hours Tuesday evening to an audience of about 1,000 people at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC).

Although she was "officially" doing the "Lead Me On 20th Anniversary Celebration Tour," she did deviate from her planned program and sang a special request.

Although saying, "I haven't played this (song) for a year, here's 'Tennessee Christmas,' just for you, Mr. Niswonger," she said, in a reference to local business leader and philanthropist Scott Niswonger, who was in attendance at the auditorium for which he was principal benefactor.

She then laughingly told the crowd, "Now, I get to do some of my new music ... Is that OK?" She then sang some of the new music she has just written.

Darrell Bryan, executive director of NPAC, said, "Amy Grant is one of the most talented and personable performers we have had here. She was a big hit with the audience, which included several of her family members from Nashville. She was also very complimentary of her talented band and praised them often."

In the audience were people from 15 states -- Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Kansas, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, California, Utah and Tennessee.

Several of those from out of town said they had seen Grant's original "Lead Me On Tour" 20 years ago.

Earlier in the afternoon Grant met with members of her fan club who were in town, taking time to talk with them and sign autographs.

When asked about taking time from her busy performance-day activities to meet with her fans, she smiled and said, "It's all about the fans -- I've got some of the greatest!"

Amy Grant has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, and has achieved much success as a crossover Contemporary Christian artist.

Grant's achievements include nine platinum and platinum-plus albums and nine gold albums, six Grammy Awards and 21 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.