Natalie Grant

Christian/Pop Star Natalie Grant Talks About Her Album, Awaken, and Her Autobiographical Book

By Dale Kawashima

Natalie Grant

During the past few years, acclaimed singer & songwriter Natalie Grant has emerged as one of the top artists in Christian Contemporary Music (CCM). She has been nominated three times for Female Vocalist Of The Year at the Dove Awards. In addition, this Curb recording artist is becoming established on the mainstream pop and AC charts. Grant is attracting a wide audience, with her strong, passionate vocals, and her songs about faith, hope and love, which are presented via her fresh, dynamic arrangements and production.

Her latest album, Awaken (which was released in March) is already a success, including two #1 CCM hits, “Held” and “Live For Today.” “Held” is about to be promoted onto mainstream pop and AC formats, and it should fare at least as well as Grant’s Top 20 AC hit in 2003, “No Sign Of It” (which was featured in the movie A View From The Top, starring Gwynneth Paltrow).

In a new interview, Grant talked in-depth about her new album, and about her recent experiences, which inspired and influenced many of the songs on the album. “I was starting to write for the album, and I didn’t want to just write songs from a commercial perspective;” explained Grant. “I wanted to write songs that would stand the test of time. I also realized that when you dissect what your faith is, it’s not just about singing happy songs. It’s about loving your neighbor, serving others, and giving your life away (to help other people).”

“One evening (in early 2004), I happened to watch an episode of Law And Order, and the subject was human trafficking,” said Grant. “It was about the sexual exploitation of kids who were only 8-10 years old. I was deeply moved by this issue, so I researched it online. I was horrified to learn that each year more than 600,000 people are sold and abused worldwide, with at least 14,000 shipped to America. On the internet, I did find an organization named Shared Hope International, which was devoted to rescuing children from prostitution, and giving them a home and an education. I decided to call up this organization, and asked how I could help.”

Grant’s discussions with Shared Hope International led to her (and her husband Bernie Herms) taking a trip to Bombay, India in July 2004. “I went to a red-light district in Bombay, and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” recalled Grant. “I saw brothels on every corner, kids selling their bodies. I saw a six-year-old girl in a cage. That day I said I would fight this thing. Soon after, I started the Home Foundation, for the purpose of raising money for the mission that’s in Bombay, called Bombay Teen Challenge.”

Several songs on Grant’s new album were inspired by this experience. She co-wrote (with Trina Harmon) a song called “Home,” which is her musical response to the plight of the children in India. “It’s a song that’s based around this issue, but it’s also a song for everybody, no matter who you are or what your story is. There’s also a song called ‘What Are You Waiting For’ (written by Bridget Benenate, Steve Booker & Matthew Gerrard), and the lyric perfectly reflected how I was feeling.”

Another key song on Awaken is “Bring It All Together,” which is a duet between Grant and country star Wynonna Judd. “I saw Wynonna performing at Ryman Auditorium (in Nashville), and she was great live. I loved the vibe and feeling of her show. With her whole story of how she was raised [and her success today], she’s a living example that God does great things.”

Grant is now writing a larger percentage of songs for her albums, but she definitely will still record songs by other writers. “I plan on writing more, but I don’t want to have to write everything,” she explained.” “I do feel passionate about recording my own songs. If I write a song I feel a close connection to it, and I can convey that connection to my audience live. I often write songs from notes in my journal and diary. I actually do most of my writing on airplanes - it’s quiet on the plane and it’s easy to focus.”

In addition to promoting Awaken and touring steadily, Grant is also looking forward to the release of two other, key projects. She just finished recording a Christmas album, which will be released this October. Grant also has completed writing her first book, which is called The Real Me: Becoming The Girl God Sees (W Publishing/Transit). “In the book, I write about my struggle with self-image – I had an eating disorder (bulimia) when I was young. It’s a very honest book, about my struggles with self-esteem.”