Natalie Grant
A powerhouse voice in Christian music who channeled personal struggle into anthems of faith that resonated with millions.
Born 1971 (age 55)·American singer and songwriter·Birthday: December 21·Generation X
Biography
Natalie Grant's journey is one of finding a colossal voice and then discovering the profound message it was meant to carry. Moving from Seattle to Nashville, she initially pursued mainstream pop before finding her true calling in contemporary Christian music. Her career breakthrough came not just from her technical vocal prowess—a clarion, emotive soprano—but from the raw authenticity she brought to her songs. Grant has been remarkably open about her battles with anxiety and panic attacks, weaving those vulnerabilities into a narrative of resilient faith. This honesty transformed her from a performer into a companion for her audience, particularly women. Beyond recording, she has become a vocal advocate against human trafficking, co-founding the Home Foundation, proving her art and activism are seamlessly intertwined. For over two decades, she has filled arenas with sound and substance, offering a soundtrack of hope that feels both grand and intimately personal.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Natalie was born in 1971, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Natalie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1971
#1 Movie
Fiddler on the Roof
Best Picture
The French Connection
#1 TV Show
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Natalie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1971Born
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1976Started school
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1984Became a teenager
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Could drive
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1989Could vote
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Turned 21
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2001Turned 30
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 40
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 50
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 55 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year five times, including four consecutive wins from 2006 to 2009.
- Has received nine Grammy Award nominations for her work in gospel and Christian music.
- Her 2005 album 'Awaken' and its single 'Held' became career-defining, platinum-selling hits.
- Founded the nonprofit Home Foundation (now Abolition International) to combat human trafficking.
- Served as the host of the annual 'Girls Night Out' events, large-scale concert tours focused on women.
Did You Know?
She was a finalist on the 1990s talent show 'Star Search' in the female vocalist category.
She and her husband, producer Bernie Herms, have twin daughters.
Grant performed the national anthem at the 2008 MLB World Series.
She played the role of Mary Magdalene in the 2018 musical film 'The Story of Jesus.'
She is a published author, having written a book titled 'The Real Girl's Guide to Life.'
“Worship is not a song. Worship is a life. It's the posture of our hearts.”
