Awaken (2005)

Awaken is the fifth studio album by Christian singer - songwriter Natalie Grant, released on March 22, 2005 by Curb Records. Grant's husband Bernie Herms produced a majority of the album with seven tracks with Shaun Shankel producing four tracks with Rob Graves co-producing with Herms on two tracks and Phil Symonds producing two tracks.

Awaken is a breakthrough album and critically acclaimed, thanks in part to its lead single "Held." A powerful ballad, "Held" is about personal tragedy as Grant sings about a mother's loss of a two month old baby. She speaks about being held by a higher power, perhaps God, helping her through the pain and grief. She sings of the pain of losing something or someone so sacred and important to her. The grief process is not instant. The song became an instant hit at Christian radio and was a moderate hit at mainstream AC radio. Grant shot her first music video and CCM singer - songwriter Plumb provides backing vocals on the song. The second single "What Are You Waiting For" was an even bigger hit reaching the top of the Radio & Records Christian CHR chart. The song was originally recorded by American actress Lindsay Lohan for the Walt Disney motion picture Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.

The album was inspired by two events in her life: First, Grant went on a life-altering trip to India in 2004. Not only did this trip inspire her charitable pursuits, but it brought a new passion and direction to her music. Instead of focusing only on what song might be a hit, Grant reports that she now focuses on songs that will inspire, give hope, and motivate others to make their lives matter. Secondly, she was watching an episode of the NBC television series Law & Order about human trafficking and its horrific effects. Grant got involved and started co-founding the organization Hope for Justice, a non-profit in the fight against human trafficking. Awaken's sound is definitely more adult contemporary than the contemporary pop that was heard from her previous albums and a maturity in sound and lyrics. A re-worked recording of "Live for Today" is included that she originally recorded from her previous album Deeper Life. The final track "Bring It All Together" features famous country pop singer Wynonna Judd.

To promote Awaken even further, Grant wrote a book titled The Real Me: Being the Girl God Sees, about her struggle with bulimia and how she overcame it. The book was released in the fall of 2005. Awaken climbed and peaked at number 3 on the Top Christian Albums, number 2 on the Heatseekers Albums and number 141 on the Billboard 200 Albums charts. In 2006, Grant was nominated for Pop/

Contemporary Album of the Year, and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for "Held," but ended up winning Female Vocalist of the Year at the 37th GMA Dove Awards. It is the first of four wins for Grant winning the title consecutively for the next four years. "Held," written by Christa Wells, was also nominated for Song of the Year. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales of half a million copies by 2009.

Track listing

1. Intro (The Awakening) (Bernie Herms) -0:45

2. Awaken (Natalie Grant, Joy Williams, Rob Graves, Jason McArthur) -3:47

3. Something Beautiful (Matthew West, Chance Scoggins) -3:21

4. What Are You Waiting For (Bridget Benenate, Steve Booker, Matthew Gerrard)

-3:43

5. The Real Me (Natalie Grant) -4:53

6. Another Day (Stephanie Lewis, Guy Zabka) -4:10

7. Home (Natalie Grant, Bernie Herms, Trina Harmon) -4:52

8. Captured (Bernie Herms, Rob Graves, Jason McArthur) -3:52

9. Held (Christa Wells) -4:22

10. You Move Me (Natalie Grant, Berry Weeks, David M. Edwards) -4:17

11. Make Me Over (Natalie Grant, Bernie Herms, Stephanie Lewis) -5:34

12. Live for Today (Natalie Grant) -4:24

13. Bring It All Together (featuring Wynonna Judd) (Christa Wells, Shaun

Shankel) -6:24

Gold certified in 2009.

Production credits

Bernie Herms -producer (tracks 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 11 and 12)

Shaun Shankel -producer (tracks 4, 6, 9 and 13)

Rob Graves -co-producer (tracks 2 and 8)

Phil Symonds -producer (tracks 3 and 10)

Accolades

Dove Award -2006, 2007, 2008 Female Vocalist of the Year

Radio singles

2005 -2006 "Held" -#4 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, #4 Billboard Christian

Airplay, #3 Billboard Christian AC Airplay, #11 Billboard AC, #2 R&R Christian AC,

#2 R&R Christian Inspo, #18 R&R AC

2005 -2006 "What Are You Waiting For" -#7 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, #7

Billboard Christian Airplay, #7 Billboard Christian AC Airplay, #1 R&R Christian

CHR for 2 weeks, #7 R&R Christian AC

2006 "The Real Me" -#18 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, #18 Billboard Christian

Airplay, #16 Billboard Christian AC Airplay, #30 Billboard AC, #16 R&R Christian

AC, #6 R&R Christian Inspo

Previous release: Worship with Natalie Grant and Friends (2004)

Next release: Believe (2005)

Watch the music video of "Held" here: