She began as a trailblazer in contemporary Christian music circa the late 1970s, and by the mid-1980s, frequently crossed over to the pop charts, though regardless of where the tunes wound up, Amy Grant is an authentic and uplifting artist of the highest caliber.

For the “Songs, Stories, Memories” Tour through the elegant Rialto Square Theatre, her wide-ranging audience was treated to a pair of recent projects, which include an updated version of “The Hits” and a compilation of deep cuts called “The Journey.”

The singer/songwriter and her familiar backing group implored everyone to “Stay For Awhile,” then fully poured into “Shadows,” “Walk On Water,” “Saved By Love” and “The Power.”

Grant’s tone turned even more reflective for the sexual abuse survivor’s anthem “Ask Me,” the longing questions of “Somewhere Down The Road” and a new, acoustically-framed contemplation on aging called “Trees We’ll Never See.”

The brighter side also surfaced by “Next Time (I Fall),” originally recorded with Chicago’s own Peter Cetera, alongside “Baby Baby,” “Every Heartbeat” and “Children Of The World” to introduce her ongoing advocacy for Compassion International.

This six-time Grammy Award-winner with 26 Dove Awards as well continued switching between the secular and sacred, such as “Good For Me,” “Angels,” “Straight Ahead” and “Lead Me On.”

Though “El Shaddai” and “Sing Your Praise To The Lord” were respectively penned by Michael Card and the late Rich Mullins, each have basically become cornerstones of Grant’s catalogue and kept the feels flowing.

The double act, two-hour evening was clearly centered around “Love Of Another Kind,” but the headliner stayed relatable to all, especially as she declared “I Will Remember You/Say Once More (That I Love You)” and encountered just as reciprocal of a Rialto reaction.

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For additional information on Amy Grant, visit AmyGrant.com.

Upcoming shows at the Rialto Square Theatre include BoDeans (Apr. 12); Blippi (Apr. 13); Jim Henson’s “Labyrinth”: In Concert (Apr. 22); Rival Sons (May 1): Toast (May 2); CoComelon (May 4); #IMomSoHard (May 8); Tusk (May 16); Chanté Moore (May 23); Buddy Guy (Jun. 28); The Australian Pink Floyd Show (Aug. 6); Illinois Rock & Roll Museum Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony (Sept. 14); Classic Seger (Oct. 2); Celtic Thunder (Oct. 3); World Ballet Company (Oct. 4); Stayin’ Alive (Oct. 23); Celebrating Meat Loaf (Oct. 26); Steve Hackett (Nov. 6); Brad Williams (Nov. 20) and Dean Z (Dec. 20). For additional details, visit RialtoSquare.com.