2014 is only just underway, but Curb recording artist Natalie Grant is already having a remarkably eventful new year.

Last year had previously proven one of the most exciting and productive of the award-winning singer/songwriter's career, culminating with a pair of major nominations for last month's 56th Annual GRAMMY® Awards. "Hurricane," the chart-topping title track from her extraordinary 2013 album, "HURRICANE," was honored in two categories: "Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance" and "Best Christian Music Song."

Grant's 2014 GRAMMY weekend kicked off with a surprise as legendary Curb Records founder Mike Curb presented her with a special plaque commemorating overall label sales in excess of 3 million. Grant then ignited a social media explosion when she announced via Twitter her personal decision to leave the GRAMMY Awards ceremonies before its official conclusion. The unintentional hullabaloo soon prompted Grant to clarify her decision with a statement posted on her official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nataliegrantmusic).

"It does sadden me when people argue, judge and hurl insults at each other from both sides of the fence," she wrote. "I never pointed out any one particular performance, I only said I had many thoughts about the entire show, which were best left inside my head and that is where they will stay…I won't use my platform to engage in political arguments that will only divide and not unite. I will continue to pray that my life will be my message."

The extensive online discussion only grew with each passing day, drawing close to 115,000 likes, more than 10,000 comments, and a remarkable 14 million-plus Facebook impressions thus far. What's more, Grant's statement surpassed President Obama's State of the Union Address to rank as last Tuesday's #1 Google Trending Search Topic.

As if all that weren't enough, Grant - who recently performed the new album's "When I Leave The Room" on SiriusXM's The Message, streaming now at www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-cpPBNEACE- was among the superstars appearing at this past weekend's 15th Annual NFL Super Bowl Gospel Celebration at New York City's Theater at Madison Square Garden. The lifelong Seattle Seahawks fan's performance of "Breathe On Me" was considered one of the event's unquestioned highlights, earning an ecstatic response from the sold out audience.

Grant flew home to Nashville after the concert but then returned to New York during Monday's snowstorm to film the premiere episode of GSN's upcoming new original series, IT TAKES A CHURCH. Grant will host the eagerly awaited competition series, in which members of a Christian congregation play matchmaker to help an unattached fellow parishioner find their match. IT TAKES A CHURCH will debut on GSN later this year.

Natalie Grant is among contemporary Christian music's most talented and beloved superstars, acclaimed around the world for her breathtaking vocal abilities, powerful songwriting, and courageous efforts to help victims of human trafficking. One of the most honored artists in CCM history, Grant is a five-time GMA (Gospel Music Association) Dove Award winner as "Female Vocalist of the Year" (including four consecutive victories spanning 2006 to 2009 and a return win in 2012), as well as a 2012 GRAMMY® "Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance" nominee for "Alive (Mary Magdalene)," featured on 2011's blockbuster, "(MUSIC INSPIRED BY) THE STORY)."

"Hurricane" arrived last year and proved the fastest rising single of Grant's already brilliant career. The single swiftly ascended to #1 on the iTunes Store's "Top Christian & Gospel Songs" chart while also achieving top 10 success on Billboard's "Hot Christian Songs" tally.

"HURRICANE" - which has seen a well-deserved popular resurgence in recent weeks - followed soon thereafter and was received with equal popularity. Grant's first new release in more than three years, the collection entered Billboard's "Top Christian Albums" chart at #1, marking the award-winning singer/songwriter's first-ever debut atop the chart. In addition, "HURRICANE" made a top 20 entry at #17 on the overall SoundScan/Billboard 200.

"HURRICANE" - available now on the iTunes Store (http://bit.ly/1bWtH9Y) -- follows 2010's "LOVE REVOLUTION," which like its predecessor, 2008's "RELENTLESS," reached the #2 spot on Billboard's "Top Christian Albums" chart. Produced by her husband and longtime collaborator Bernie Herms, the album stands as Grant's most affecting and spirited collection to date. Songs like "When I Leave The Room" and the powerful duet, "Born To Be" (featuring Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVox) chronicle her recent struggles and hardships, a personal journey which saw this gifted artist emerge at last from the darkest, most challenging period of her life thus far.

An inspired performer known for making lasting connections with her audience, Grant has a number of high profile live dates scheduled, including a very special Valentine's Day "Sweetheart Dinner and Concert" in Louisville, Kentucky, set for February 14th. She will also continue her 2014 "Dare To Be…The Journey Continues" event tour with speaker/author Charlotte Gambill, including announced stops in Coral Springs and Tampa, Florida. The US tour is selling out events across the country, with additional matinees now being added in response to popular demand - for complete details and ticket information, please see nataliegrant.com/tour.

In addition to her extraordinary musical career, Grant is also committed to giving voice to the voiceless through a variety of charitable efforts. An outspoken advocate for victims of human trafficking, she is the founder of Abolition International, a non-profit origination that works towards providing quality restorative aftercare to human trafficking victims both domestically and around the world.

Grant made official visits to the nation's capital twice last year, including a memorable appearance before Presidents Obama, Clinton, and Carter, among others, at the "Let Freedom Ring" ceremony held at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Grant will also be seen in a supporting role in the upcoming film, Persecuted. Produced by multiple Oscar®-winner Gray Frederickson (The Godfather Trilogy, Apocalypse Now), the independent thriller - set for release on May 9th, 2014 - sees Grant co-starring alongside James Remar, Bruce Davison, and Fred Thompson.

For more information, please visit nataliegrant.com, twitter.com/nataliegrant, facebook.com/nataliegrantmusic, instagram.com/nataliegrant, and www.youtube.com/nataliegrantvideos.

For more info on Natalie Grant visit the JFH Artists Database.

Leave a Comment

 

 

[2024]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2023]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2001 - Present]
Visit our complete MUSIC NEWS ARCHIVE

 

 

(JFH Sponsor Spot)