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Re: “Nonprofit fights Amy Grant over church deed, AG probe. Why it’s now erupting in public,” by Liam Adams, April 10.
Grant and the Burton family were depicted as “aggressive” escalators of a − long public − legal dispute that was, in fact, initiated by their opponents.
This story involves a public figure, a nonprofit, other public cases, a person of historic significance (the late A.M. Burton), and a prominent downtown property.
The party that went “public” is Nashville Church of Christ. Already facing an investigation by the Tennessee Attorney General, NCC in April 2020 chose to file a lawsuit leveling claims against dozens of far-flung members of the extended Burton family. Talk about aggressive.
The Nashville Church of Christ at 145 Rep. John Lewis Way N in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The organization doesn’t offer weekly services, but draws more than $40,000 each month from the two adjacent parking lots the organization owns.
The party that has continuously escalated things over the years? Also NCC. In 2021, NCC publicly accused the AG of improprieties and referred to various members of the Burton family as “gang members.”
The fact we are five years into this case, and the Burton family’s humble silence for years in the face of such attacks, clearly demonstrate there was no rush to the press. Regardless, it should be no surprise that a lawsuit involving a celebrity would also involve a “public relations firm.”
It is somewhat more surprising that a church would hire such a firm. At the very outset of litigation, NCC did so to publicize a fishy and suspiciously timed narrative that could influence the proceedings.
Citizens should feel comfortable speaking with media about matters of public concern, without fear of being labeled “aggressive” escalators for doing only and precisely that.
Brandon Gee, Madison, 37115
More about the author: Brandon Gee is a member of strategic consulting firm The Ingram Group, which represents the Estate of A.M. Burton.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Amy Grant, Burton family felt they had to speak up about NCC | Letters
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