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, 2006–2009, and a fifth award 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 name | Natalie Diane Grant |
| Born | December 21, 1971 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Genres | Contemporary Christian |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, author |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Curb |
| Website | www |
Early life
editGrant 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
editGrant first started in contemporary Christian music when she auditioned for the travelling 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 success 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
editIn 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
editGrant 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 to eradicate 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 honoured her for her work against human trafficking.[20]
Discography
edit- Natalie Grant (1999)
- Stronger (2001)
- Deeper Life (2003)
- Worship with Natalie Grant and Friends (2004)
- Awaken (2005)
- Believe (2005)
- Relentless (2008)
- Love Revolution (2010)
- Hurricane (2013)
- Be One (2015)
- No Stranger (2020)
- Seasons (2023)
Bibliography
edit- 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
edit| 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
editGMA Dove Awards
edit| 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
edit| 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
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "Natalie Grant Biography". Starpulse.com. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Living the Dream". Assemblies of God USA. Pentecostal Evangel. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
- ^ "About". NatalieGrant.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ [1] Archived June 22, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Natalie Grant. "'Hurricane' Set To Release October 15th". Natalie Grant. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ a b Bonham, Chad (December 20, 2011). "A conversation with four-time GMA Female Vocalist of the Year Natalie Grant". beliefnet. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- ^ "The Natalie Grant Interview". Notes for Houses of Worship. Shure. October 2006. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Grant, Natalie (2005). The Real Me [Paperback]. Thomas Nelson Incorporated. ISBN 0849908825.
- ^ "Shine FM::Events". 951shinefm.com. January 8, 2010. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
- ^ Bonham, Chad (October 2011). "Dove-award winning artist Natalie Grant makes film debut on Gospel Music Channel Sunday night". Beliefnet. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ "Natalie Grant to host GSN's "It Takes A Church"". September 27, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ^ "GSN Premieres New Matchmaking Series 'It Takes a Church'". March 19, 2014. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ^ "Natalie Grant Announces Upcoming Album, No Stranger, Set To Release August 28, 2020; Pre-Order/Save Begins June 12". Curb Records. June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "Twins for Natalie". crossRhythms.co.uk. March 1, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
- ^ Natalie Grant (December 17, 2010). "& Bernie Herms Welcome Newborn Baby Girl- Sadie Rose Herms". Natalie Grant. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ "Natalie Grant: Her Heart Revealed". Cbn.com. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "CBNmusic – Natalie Grant". Cbn.com. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "Who We Are". Abolition International: A Home Foundation Initiative. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ^ "2012: Natalie Grant | Sisters of Divine Providence". Cdpsisters.org. October 23, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2014.