(Nashville, Tenn.) October 23rd, 2009 – With her first-ever holiday offering Christmas Like This releasing November 10th, Ayiesha Woods is now slated to join Natalie Grant on the “Believe” Christmas tour during the month of December.
The "Believe" tour kicks off December 1st in Montgomery, AL and goes on to Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Kansas, with the final show in Missouri on December 18th. Additional shows will be added in the upcoming weeks. Full tour details and ticket information can be found at http://nataliegrant.com/tour-dates/ .
"You know, Christmas time is my favorite time of the year,” exclaims Woods. “To be able to spend some of it on the road with one of my favorite persons in Christian music is nothing less than a great honor and a Christmas present from God to me!"
Woods' Christmas Like This offers up nine holiday classics from the GRAMMY-nominated songstress. The album will be available as a physical CD product exclusively through MusiChristian.com with the digital album being available at all other online retailers. In support of the album, Woods will be making guest appearances on various national TV media outlets including Life Today With James Robison, TBN, and the Daystar network among others.
With her 2006 debut Introducing Ayiesha Woods and 2008 sophomore release Love Like This, Woods has garnered both critical and mass acclaim. The debut earned Woods a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album”, as well as an additional nod in the Dove Awards “New Artist of the Year” category. CCM Magazine also followed Woods’ career as one of three emerging musical talents for 2006 in their “Band Wagon” column, and MTVU.com’s URGE service (www.urge.com) picked Introducing Ayiesha Woods in their 2006 TOP 10 year-end list for Inspirational music. Woods, a favorite on the Women of Faith touring circuit, continues to perform throughout this year and 2010 at festivals and on dates nationwide.
Making his passion known this past year with the release of "Speaking Louder Than Before," BEC Recordings artist Jeremy Camp is introducing his fall tour named after the recently released CD and with a purpose at hand. As his first headlining tour in almost two years, Camp will be joined by reigning Dove Female Artist of the Year Natalie Grant and label-mate Bebo Norman. The "Speaking Louder Than Before" The Tour is kicking off in Florida on September 10th (dates below). The tour will also be sponsored by Compassion International.
Tickets for the anticipated tour will go on sale Friday, July 10th in addition to a special iTickets / iTunes promotion. For those who purchase tickets via iTickets from July 10th until July 24th, they will receive a code for two free downloads at iTunes ("Beyond Measure" by Jeremy Camp and "Never Saw You Coming" by Bebo Norman). The codes will be given out for each ticket purchased (not per order).
Earlier this year, Camp and his management company began a ministry called "Speaking Louder Ministries," a direct correlation to his recent release, which produced his seventeenth No. 1 radio single ("There Will Be a Day"). The purpose behind "Speaking Louder Ministries" is tri-fold: bringing a raised awareness to the local outreaches in the cities that Jeremy Camp performs, helping equip the church body and local community to get involved in ministry together, and impacting the needs of the community/organization with physical goods. For more information and specific local market info go to the ministry homepage.
On the fall tour, Speaking Louder Ministries will partner with a local radio station to promote the local outreach. At each concert, there will be a booth present as a distribution point to draw a larger awareness for the ministry organization.
This 30+ city tour will make a huge impact in each market, and Camp is thrilled about this opportunity. "I'm really looking forward to the tour and to what's being planned with Speaking Louder Ministries," shares Camp. "We'll have unique opportunities in each and every town that we play on this tour to be a part of local ministry. I'm hoping to see the body of Christ engaged and fired up to help local ministries in need. This will be more than just a typical concert experience, we will be working and worshiping together for the Kingdom of God."
See below for the tour dates as well as additional information regarding each artist on the "Speaking Louder Than Before" The Tour. Tour publicity contact also listed below.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Curb recording artist Natalie Grant was named Female Vocalist of the Year for the fourth consecutive time at last night’s 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Grant now joins Sandi Patty as the only other artist to have received the prestigious honor four or more consecutive years.
In addition to her win, Grant performed “Make It Matter,” from her 2008 best-selling recording, Relentless, along with Group 1 Crew, during the live broadcast of the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards on Gospel Music Channel.
The ceremony capped a GMA Music Week that saw other high-profile appearances for Grant, including a celebration honoring the RIAA Gold certification of her 2005 breakthrough, Awaken. In addition, Grant co-hosted the BMI Songwriter Showcase with singer /songwriter Matthew West, where she performed her Song of the Year-nominated hit single, “I Will Not Be Moved.”
Last year Grant was both the most-played female artist at Christian radio and the top-selling Adult Contemporary female solo artist in Christian music. One of the genre’s biggest names, Grant is among a select number of artists to have also achieved a formidable foothold at mainstream media and radio. In addition to her music, she is an outspoken advocate for victims of international human trafficking. The Home Foundation, which Grant created in 2005, has raised over a quarter of a million dollars to fight the trafficking of women and children for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Awaken, the 2005 breakthrough that poised Curb recording artist and GMA’s now three-time reigning Female Vocalist of the Year, Natalie Grant, to become the top female solo artist in Christian music today, has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), it was recently announced. In addition, Grant has also been nominated for a Dove Award in the prestigious Songwriter of the Year category, making her the top female nominee at The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards.
Produced by Dove Award-winner Bernie Herms, Phil Symonds, Shaun Shankel, and Rob Graves, Grant wrote or co-wrote half of Awaken’s 12 selections. The album features her signature #1 song, “Held,” as well as the hits “Live 4 Today” and “What Are You Waiting For.”
Awaken was written and recorded during a life-changing season for Grant, as she first became aware of the atrocity of international human trafficking. For more than four years now, she has been an outspoken advocate for trafficking victims and was one of the first Christian artists to raise awareness of the issue in the Church. Grant established the Home Foundation in 2005, and the organization now supports numerous entities, both domestically and around the world, in the fight against human trafficking.
Grant is up for six honors at The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year. She is also nominated for Song of the Year for her self-penned hit single, “I Will Not Be Moved.” In addition, fueled by the success of her 2008 best-selling, critically acclaimed recording Relentless, Grant was the most-played female artist on Christian radio and the top-selling Adult Contemporary female solo artist in Christian music in 2008.
For further information, visit www.nataliegrant.com.
GMA's reigning three-time Female Vocalist of the Year and Curb recording artist, Natalie Grant, will hit the road this week for her spring "Make It Matter Tour." Sponsored by The Revolve Tour, HearItFirst.com and Grant's Home Foundation, the tour will also feature American Idol finalist and Brash recording artist Chris Sligh, Word recording artist Meredith Andrews, and will introduce new recording artist Evan Milby.
Kicking-off March 19 in Columbus, Ohio, the "Make It Matter Tour" is slated to hit St. Louis; Baltimore; Indianapolis; Omaha, Nebraska; Elkhart, Indiana; and Asheville, North Carolina, among other cities before concluding April 26 in Martinsburg, West Virginia. One of the most noteworthy tours in Christian music this season, the March 22 stop in Waukesha, Wisconsin, is already sold-out.
Grant is one of the top nominees at the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards, which will be held April 23 in Nashville. Once again nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, her win in this category last year marked the first time in 13 years an artist has been named Female Vocalist three consecutive times. In addition, "I Will Not Be Moved" is nominated for Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. The hit single, written by Grant, is featured on her best-selling 2008 recording, Relentless, which also received a nod for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. The Grant-penned "Breathe On Me," featured on Worship With Natalie Grant & Friends, is nominated for Worship Song of the Year.
Grant was the most-played female artist at Christian radio last year. Her latest single, "Our Hope Endures," is currently #13 on R&R's Christian AC National Airplay chart and #3 on the publication's Soft AC/Inspo National Airplay chart, according to the March 20 issue.
As American Idol finalist Chris Sligh's debut, Running Back to You, became one of the best-selling Christian albums on iTunes®, and wowed critics from USA Today to CCMmagazine.com last year, it also had the highest debut on Christian SoundScan in its first week. He is among the nominees for New Artist of the Year at the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Heralded by Billboard Magazine as one of 2008's "Faces to Watch," new female vocalist and worship leader Meredith Andrews released her debut project, The Invitation, for Word Records last year. She has served as worship leader at Chicago's 12,000-member Harvest Bible Church.
The "Make it Matter Tour" is sponsored by The Revolve Tour for teen girls. "4Real," the 2009 event from The Revolve Tour, combines amazing music, relevant real-life stories, drama, excitement, and fun for a one-of-a-kind inspirational weekend for girls. The Revolve Tour events are produced by Thomas Nelson Live Events and began in 2005 as a response to thousands of requests from women attending Women of Faith conferences who wanted a similar experience for their daughters.
"Make It Matter Tour" sponsor HearItFirst.com is the best in class, definitive online destination for the Christian music fan. Filled with rich content covering the entire Christian music industry, HIF boasts a membership of over 196,000 registered users, and hosts an array of features on the site, including Exclusive Content Rich Media – videos, photos and audio streams, Genre Sections, Artist Pages, News, New Releases, Store, Tour Information, Community and Blogs. HearItFirst.com is THE destination for Christian music enthusiasts to connect within a fan community to enjoy the newest and most exclusive content and information about their favorite artists.
A tireless advocate for victims of human trafficking, Grant was one of the first Christian artists to raise awareness of this worldwide atrocity. She created The Home Foundation in 2005 to support various anti-trafficking efforts around the world. The organization's current H.O.M.E.S. Project initiative, which operates in conjunction with various faith-based agencies, is working to provide resources and build shelters for human trafficking victims in the United States.
For further information on Natalie Grant and the "Make It Matter Tour," visit www.nataliegrant.com.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Curb recording artist and GMA’s reigning three-time Female Vocalist of the Year, Natalie Grant, has been nominated for five Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards, making her one of the top nominees this year.
Grant is once again nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year. Her win in this category last year marked the first time in 13 years that an artist has been named Female Vocalist three consecutive times. Receiving the award this year would make Grant only the second artist in Dove Awards history to be named Female Vocalist four consecutive years.
“I Will Not Be Moved,” written by Grant, is nominated for Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. The hit single is featured on Grant’s best-selling 2008 recording, Relentless, which also received a nod for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. Relentless was co-produced by Grant’s husband, Bernie Herms, and Shaun Shankel. Herms also received his second consecutive Dove Award nomination for Producer of the Year.
In addition, the Grant-penned “Breathe On Me,” featured on Worship With Natalie Grant & Friends, is nominated for Worship Song of the Year.
The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be presented April 23 at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The event will air live on the Gospel Music Channel at 8 pm ET/PT. For further information, visit www.nataliegrant.com or www.gospelmusic.org.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.— GMA’s reigning three-time Female Vocalist of the Year and Curb recording artist, Natalie Grant, headlined her Second Annual Home Foundation Concert earlier this week. The sold-out benefit also featured GMA’s 2008 New Artist of the Year and Reunion recording artist Brandon Heath; Reunion recording artist Tenth Avenue North; and new BEC recording artist Phillip LaRue. Pictured onstage at Nashville’s historic Belcourt Theatre following the event are (l-r) LaRue; Heath; Grant; and Tenth Avenue North’s Mike Donehey, Jeff Owen and Scott Sanders.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.— GMA’s reigning three-time Female Vocalist of the Year and Curb recording artist, Natalie Grant, is slated to headline the Second Annual Home Foundation Concert at Nashville’s historic Belcourt Theatre on February 17 at 7 pm. Benefiting Grant’s Home Foundation, the concert will also feature GMA’s 2008 New Artist of the Year and Reunion recording artist Brandon Heath; Reunion recording artist Tenth Avenue North; and new BEC recording artist Phillip LaRue.
Grant established the Home Foundation in 2005 to raise awareness of international human trafficking. A priority of her ministry platform, Grant educates audiences on the plight of children forced into the sex trade both domestically and around the world. The Foundation’s most recent endeavor is the H.O.M.E.S. Project, which operates in conjunction with various faith-based agencies dedicated to the restoration of trafficking victims in the United States. The H.O.M.E.S. Project helps those providing refuge to victims identified domestically by offering hope, opportunity, mentoring, empowerment and spiritual support through educational and credentialing services.
In 2008, Grant became the first artist in 13 years to win the GMA Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year three consecutive times. Fueled by the success of her best-selling, critically acclaimed seventh recording, Relentless, Grant was also the most-played female artist at Christian radio last year. Her latest single, “Our Hope Endures,” is currently #14 on R&R’s Christian AC National Airplay chart and #6 on the publication’s Soft AC/Inspo National Airplay chart, according to the January 30 issue.
Tickets for the Second Annual Home Foundation Concert can be purchased at www.belcourt.org or at the theatre box office, 2102 Belcourt Avenue, after 4 pm. General admission is $20 ($25 at the door) and $10 for students ($12.50 at the door).
For further information, visit www.thehomefoundation.net or www.nataliegrant.com.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Fueled by the success of her 2008 best-selling, critically acclaimed seventh studio recording, Relentless, Curb artist and GMA’s three-time reigning Female Vocalist of the Year, Natalie Grant, was the most-played female artist on Christian radio this year.
According to R&R’s year-end Top 20 Christian AC Monitored Artists chart, Grant is the seventh most-played artist overall, and the only female artist in the chart’s Top 10. Her 2008 hits, “In Better Hands” and “I Will Not Be Moved,” are both among the Top 20 most-played songs of the year on R&R’s Top 100 Christian AC Monitored songs chart.
“In Better Hands” is also the #10 song of the year on iTunes’ Christian & Gospel Best of 2008 chart, while “I Will Not be Moved” ends the year as the 11th best-selling song on the same chart.
“Our Hope Endures,” the latest single from Relentless, is currently #20 on R&R’s Christian AC National Airplay chart, according to the publication’s December 12 issue. The single also stands at #17 on R&R’s Soft AC/Inspo National Airplay chart this week. “Our Hope Endures” was penned by Christa Wells and Grant.
Grant can currently be seen on the 14-city “Casting Crowns Christmas Celebration” Tour. Headlined by the Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum selling Casting Crowns, the Tour features Grant as a special guest, along with Denver & The Mile High Orchestra, Avalon, Michael English and pureNRG.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Curb recording artist Natalie Grant has become the first artist in 13 years to win the GMA Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year three consecutive times. Grant received the honor at last night’s ceremony in Nashville, which was broadcast live on the Gospel Music Channel. Not since Twila Paris earned the Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year from 1993-1995 has this distinction been achieved.
The 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards broadcast also featured show-stopping performances from some of the top artists in Christian music and beyond, including the electrifying duet “Bring It All Together” by Grant and country superstar Wynonna.
Grant’s critically-acclaimed seventh recording, Relentless, released in February and was the highest debut and top album by a female artist on both Nielsen SoundScan’s Top Christian Albums and Christian Retail charts. With a formidable foothold at mainstream media and radio, Grant is a featured speaker and performer on the Women of Faith and Revolve Tours and is an outspoken advocate for victims of international human trafficking.
Her “Relentless Tour,” with special guest Jimmy Needham and introducing new artist Ashmont Hill, will be making stops in Pittsburgh; Chicago; Tupelo, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama; and Knoxville, Tennessee, before concluding May 18 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
