Amy Grant Surprises Bakersfield Firefighters with Private Show

Pop and Christian recording artist Amy Grant surprised downtown firefighters Saturday night with an impromptu acoustic set after her concert at the Fox Theater.

The singer visited Bakersfield Fire Department Station No. 1 on H Street near the Fox. The firefighters gave her a ride down 21st Street in the ladder truck and a member of her band rode along on a medical call, said Engineer Steve Hamblet. A blog on Grant’s Web site gives an account of the side trip and raves about the intimate atmosphere of the Fox.

“She was so personable, so genuine,” Hamblet said. “For someone to take the time and come over and give a heartfelt little show like she did for us, that was really neat.”

It’s not the first time this year — or even in the past few months — that down-home artists have taken advantage of Bakersfield’s offerings post-show. Martina McBride took her crew to Camelot Park for arcade fun after her Buck Owens Birthday Bash show at the Crystal Palace in August.

Hamblet said he was out on the apparatus floor, where the trucks are kept, when he spotted a band member walking out of the bus at the Fox before the show.

Hamblet and Engineer Tim Ortiz approached the band member and invited the entire group to tour the fire station, something firefighters have done over the years for other Fox performers, including Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, The Go-Go’s and Natalie Merchant.

Around 11:30 p.m., Grant and the band came to the station. Half the crew had gone to bed, but they came down for the show. She sang four or five old and new songs, including a cover of The Beatles’ “Yesterday,” with acoustic guitar accompaniment.

Hamblet said he felt bad he didn’t know all of the songs, but his wife is a fan.

The fire crew gave the band a tour of the station. Grant thanked them for their service to the community.

Story and Photos by The Bakersfield Californian