Natalie Grant

Natalie Diane Grant (born December 21, 1971) is an American singer and songwriter of contemporary Christian music. She received the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year four consecutive years (2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009), and again in 2012.[1] She has also been nominated for eight Grammy Awards (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020).

Natalie Grant
Grant in 2008
Background information
Birth nameNatalie Diane Grant
Born (1971-12-21) December 21, 1971
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
GenresContemporary Christian
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, author
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1999–present
LabelsCurb
Associated acts
Websitewww.nataliegrant.com

Early life

Grant was born December 21, 1971 in Seattle, Washington.[2] She enrolled at Northwest College (Now Northwest University) in Kirkland, Washington, studying to be a schoolteacher.[3] She reportedly figured that her musical gifts were merely for sharing with her local church until she learned how to find God's true calling for her life, and so switched directions and began a career in Christian music.[3]

Career

Grant first started in contemporary Christian music when she auditioned for the traveling music group Truth.[3] Later she moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue her solo career.[2] There she signed with Benson Records in 1997 and began working on her self-titled debut which was released in 1999. She left Benson for Pamplin Music soon after and released the album Stronger in 2001. She then ended up at Curb Records after Pamplin folded, where she has made five solo albums as of 2012, starting with Deeper Life in 2003. Awaken was her breakthrough success, in 2005.[4] It was RIAA certified gold. It was followed by Love Revolution on August 24, 2010[5] and Hurricane on October 15, 2013.[6]

Grant released three albums between 1999 and 2003, although the majority of her hits came later in her career. She has since reported being unhappy with the way she was imaged by her early record label which marketed her partly on her looks, and says of her first record, "It wasn't me at all either."[7] However, she credits her early albums with having been necessary to her progressing and growing into an artist that takes control of such decisions, starting with her first widely successful album, Awaken.[7]

Another factor that was essential to her later successes was a life-altering trip to India in 2004. Not only did this trip inspire her charitable pursuits, "but it brought a new passion and direction to her music." Instead of focusing only on what song might be a hit, Grant reports that she now focuses on songs that will inspire, give hope, and motivate others to make their lives matter.[8]

There have been other noteworthy events along the way. She wrote a book entitled The Real Me in 2005.[9] She toured on the Speaking Louder Than Before tour with Bebo Norman and Jeremy Camp in 2008.[10] She contributed the song "Breathe On Me" to Crystal Aikin's self-titled debut album. She was a speaker and performer on the Revolve Tour, a conference for teen girls from Women of Faith. She toured with award-winning, multi-platinum selling Billboard magazine's Artist of The Decade MercyMe in April 2011. Also, in October 2011 she starred in the Gospel Music Channel (GMC) made-for-television movie Decision.[11]

On September 27, 2013, it was announced that Grant would be hosting the GSN original game show It Takes a Church, which premiered on June 5, 2014.[12][13]

She released her tenth studio album No Stranger on September 25, 2020.[14] It was preceded by the lead single "My Weapon" which was released on February 21, 2020.

Personal life

In pursuing her music career, Grant moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she now lives with her Canadian producer husband, Bernie Herms, and their three daughters; Grace and Isabella (born 2007)[15] and Sadie (born 2010)[16]

In an interview with The 700 Club, Natalie revealed that she suffered from bulimia.[17] She says God helped her get over her eating disorder. She later wrote a book in 2005 titled The Real Me: Being the Girl God Sees, about her struggle and how she overcame it.

Philanthropy

Grant is involved in campaigning against human trafficking. She was affected by an episode of Law & Order that dealt with the topic, and began to do research. Her studies led her and her husband to travel to India to witness the red-light districts and what is being done to stop them. That experience changed the trajectory of Natalie's life and reportedly changed the way she approaches her music.[18]

In 2005 Grant founded The Home Foundation, which has since evolved into Abolition International, an international organization with the aim of eradicating sex trafficking through aftercare accreditation, advocacy, and education and provision of restoration homes for victims of sex trafficking.[19]

On October 23, 2012, Grant received the 2012 Bishop Ketteler Award for Social Justice from the Sisters of Divine Providence, who honored her for her work against human trafficking.[20]

Discography
Main article: Natalie Grant discography

Bibliography
  • 2005: The Real Me: Being the Girl God Sees ISBN 0-8499-0882-5
  • 2014: Dare to Be Devoted: 30 Day Devotional ISBN 0-6157-4264-5
  • 2016: A Dolphin Wish (Faithgirlz / Glimmer Girls) ISBN 0-3107-5253-1
  • 2016: London Art Chase (Faithgirlz / Glimmer Girls) ISBN 0-3107-5265-5
  • 2016: Miracle in Music City (Faithgirlz / Glimmer Girls) ISBN 0-3107-5250-7
  • 2016: Finding Your Voice: What Every Woman Needs to Live Her God-Given Passions Out Loud ISBN 1-8545-9659-4

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Roach Approach: Don't Miss the Boat Kate Voice role
2009 Gospel Dream Herself/coach 1 episode
2012 Decision Ilene Connors
2014 Veil of Tears Herself Documentary
2014 Persecuted Monica
2014–15 It Takes a Church Herself/host 16 episodes

Awards and nominations

GMA Dove Awards
Year Category Work Result
2005 Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "Live for Today" Nominated
2006 Artist of the Year Nominated
Female Vocalist of the Year Won
Song of the Year "Held" Nominated
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "Held" Nominated
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year Awaken Nominated
Inspirational Album of the Year Believe Nominated
2007 Female Vocalist of the Year Won
2008 Artist of the Year Nominated
Female Vocalist of the Year Won
Song of the Year "In Better Hands" Nominated
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "In Better Hands" Nominated
2009 Female Vocalist of the Year Won
Song of the Year "I Will Not Be Moved" Nominated
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "I Will Not Be Moved" Nominated
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Relentless Nominated
Worship Song of the Year "Breathe on Me" Nominated
2010 Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
2011 Artist of the Year Nominated
Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year Nominated
2012 Female Vocalist of the Year Won
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "Alive (Mary Magdalene)" Nominated
Special Event Album of the Year The Story (various artists) Won

Grammy Awards
Year Category Work Result
2012 Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance "Alive" Nominated
2014 Best Christian Music Song "Hurricane" Nominated
Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance "Hurricane" Nominated
2015 Best Contemporary Christian Music Album Hurricane Nominated
2017 Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song "King of the World" Nominated
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album Be One Nominated
2018 Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song "Clean" Nominated
2020 Best Gospel Performance/Song "Speak the Name" Nominated

References
  1. "Gospel Music Association Announces Initial Hosts and Performers for 41st Annual Dove Awards, To Be Held on April 21, 2010 at Nashville's Famed Grand Ole Opry House". gospelmusic.org. December 23, 2009. Archived from the original on January 25, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  2. "Natalie Grant Biography". Starpulse.com. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  3. "Living the Dream". Assemblies of God USA. Pentecostal Evangel. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  4. "About". NatalieGrant.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  5. Archived June 22, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  6. Natalie Grant. "'Hurricane' Set To Release October 15th". Natalie Grant. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  7. Bonham, Chad. "A conversation with four-time GMA Female Vocalist of the Year Natalie Grant". beliefnet. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  8. "The Natalie Grant Interview". Notes for Houses of Worship. Shure. October 2006. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  9. "The Real Me [Paperback]". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  10. "Shine FM::Events". 951shinefm.com. January 8, 2010. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  11. Bonham, Chad (October 2011). "Dove-award winning artist Natalie Grant makes film debut on Gospel Music Channel Sunday night". Beliefnet. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  12. "Natalie Grant to host GSN's "It Takes A Church"". September 27, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  13. "GSN Premieres New Matchmaking Series 'It Takes a Church'". March 19, 2014. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  14. "Natalie Grant Announces Upcoming Album, No Stranger, Set To Release August 28, 2020; Pre-Order/Save Begins June 12". Curb Records. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  15. "Twins for Natalie". crossRhythms.co.uk. March 1, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
  16. Natalie Grant (December 17, 2010). "& Bernie Herms Welcome Newborn Baby Girl- Sadie Rose Herms". Natalie Grant. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  17. "Natalie Grant: Her Heart Revealed". Cbn.com. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  18. "CBNmusic – Natalie Grant". Cbn.com. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  19. "Who We Are". Abolition International: A Home Foundation Initiative. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  20. "2012: Natalie Grant | Sisters of Divine Providence". Cdpsisters.org. October 23, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
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