Christian songstress lands at state fair
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No comments [ Add Comment ]By LINDA EAST BRADY
Standard-Examiner staff
Contemporary Christian songbird Natalie Grant came of age in the era and land of grunge -- Seattle in the early '90s.
But even as a teenager in the 1980s, just as Kurt Cobain's plaid-and-faded-jeans figure cast his amped-up shadow over the city's sound, Grant's heart and music belonged to God.
"I grew up loving black gospel music," Grant wrote in an e-mail interview. "I was inspired by Stevie Wonder, CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond and Yolanda Adams."
She also loved such pop icons as Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston -- as well as U2, a band whose members, even after hitting fame, never shied away from their own faith and good works.
Grant, who headlines Saturday at the Utah State Fair, follows in Bono's and others' footsteps. After seeing an episode of "Law & Order" in 2004 that dealt with human trafficking, she organized the Home Foundation in 2005 to help raise funds for organizations working to free children trapped in sexual slavery in the United States and abroad.
Willing to help others by making public her own youthful battles with bulimia, Grant also authored a book on self-image for young women, titled, "The Real Me: Being the Girl God Sees" (Thomas Nelson, 2005).
Then, in 2007, Grant and her husband/producer, Bernie Herms, welcomed twin daughters, Isabella and Grace, into the world.
You'd think such a busy mother and businesswoman might not have the wherewithal to also create beautiful music. But Grant has had tremendous musical success during these years of good works and family obligations. She has been honored as the Gospel Music Association's female vocalist three years in a row since 2006 -- the first woman to do so.
How does Grant find it in herself to do it all?
"I have no idea!" she wrote. "I'm still figuring it all out and taking it one day at a time. I fall short often and I am not successful at balancing it all, but when I fail, thank God I get another day to try again.
"One thing is for sure, however -- when it comes to balancing family, career and ministry obligations, my family comes first."
The mainstream
Grant was only 17 when she started arranging music for the youth choir at her church. She went on to sing with the group Truth before heading to Nashville to pursue a solo career.
She worked for a number of years making decent, if somewhat forgettable, Christian music. She struggled as not one, but two, record labels she'd signed with folded.
However, after signing with a Nashville powerhouse label, Grant's luck changed.
"I finally found a fantastic record company back in 2002," she said. "I could never have accomplished the commercial success I'm experiencing without Curb Records."
"Awaken," her 2005 album inspired by her own awakening to the plight of human trafficking, delivered many inspired numbers -- including her own personal favorite, "Held." The song is about finding sanctuary in faith even during the darkest hours.
"I love to perform 'Held,' " Grant noted. "I always say that I have the best seat in the house on that song. I see many people weeping and holding each other and I always wonder what their stories are."
Who Grant is
Grant, who once recorded Sen. Orrin Hatch's song "I'm Not Alone," said she looks forward to coming to Utah.
"(Salt Lake) is such a beautiful city," she wrote. "The last time I was there we played a sold-out show, so I guess I have a few fans in Utah."
In coming weeks, Grant not only plays the Utah State Fair, but also arena-sized gigs, and far more intimate church concerts. Grant said she does not prefer one venue over another.
"With any concert I do, I am who I am," Grant noted. "I want my faith and the message to come through loud and clear, regardless of the venue. I just love to play a gig. It is still incredible to me that this is my job."
And the gigs just keep on coming, as Grant wins over an ever-wider audience, and as the line between mainstream music and Christian music grows ever more blurry.
"I think (Christ-based music) is more accepted now mainly because the mainstream music industry has taken notice of the incredible growth of contemporary Christian music. As a result, they are realizing that people obviously gravitate toward the message in the music-- and it is that message of hope that I believe people are looking for."
PREVIEW
l WHO: Natalie Grant
l WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
l WHERE: Utah State Fairpark Grandstand, 155 N. 1000 West, Salt Lake City
l TICKETS: Show included with the price of Utah State Fair admission -- $8/adults; $6/age 62 and older and ages 6-12; free/ages 5 and under. Grandstand seating tickets are available at noon on show day. Gate admission available from www.utahstatefair.com
