Natalie Grant Reaches the Top With Her Long-Awaited "HURRICANE"

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Oct 23, 2013) - Curb recording artist Natalie Grant has made an extraordinary chart debut with her long anticipated new album, "HURRICANE." 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.

Grant's first new release in more than three years, "HURRICANE" includes the ebullient title track, which arrived earlier this year and proved the fastest rising single of her career. "Hurricane" 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. In addition, a companion video clip for the album's moving "In The End" is now streaming at Grant's official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/nataliegrantvideos.

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" -- 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 multi- award winning husband and longtime collaborator Bernie Herms, the album stands as Grant's most affecting and spirited collection to date. Songs like "Closer To Your Heart" 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.

A brilliant performer known for making lasting connections with her audience, Grant has a number of live dates scheduled through the year, including a leading role on the upcoming multi-artist "THE STORY Tour," slated to get underway November 29^th at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena and then travel through mid-December. 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.

What's more, Grant has visited the nation's capital twice this 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.

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