Francesca Battistelli | |
|---|---|
 Battistelli in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Francesca Battistelli[1] |
| Born | (1985-05-18)May 18, 1985 (age 39) New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | CCM,pop,soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, actress |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Fervent,Warner Bros. |
| Spouse | |
| Website | www |
Francesca Battistelli (born May 18, 1985) is an AmericanChristian singer and songwriter.[2] She was originally an independent artist and had released an independent album,Just a Breath, in 2004. Her first studio album onFervent Records,My Paper Heart, was released on July 22, 2008. Her first single, "I'm Letting Go", was released to on june bugs radio stations on July 15, 2008, and charted on national ChristianCHR charts. The song was the 16th most played song of 2008 on Christian radio stations according to R&R magazine.[3] Battistelli received her first Grammy Award nomination in 2009, for Best Gospel Performance with her single, "Free to Be Me". She later received her first Grammy Award in 2016 at the58th Annual Grammy Awards forBest Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song with her single "Holy Spirit" written by the worship band Jesus Culture from her albumIf We're Honest.[4]
Battistelli was born on May 18, 1985, in New York City. She is the only child of founder & president of Alert Marketing Inc, Mike Battistelli and author, speaker, podcaster, and former actress, Kate (née Brown) Battistelli.[5][6][2][7] She grew up in a musical family with both of her parents involved in musical theater.[8] "There was just something about live theater—especially musical theater—that has always resonated with me", she said.[9] She "knew that she was going to spend her life performing" after seeing a performance of the musicalThe Secret Garden onBroadway at the age of six.[8] "So I thought that was it. I was going to beMary Lennox inThe Secret Garden."[10]
When she was 15, she became a member of theOrlando, Florida all-girl mainstream pop group Bella. The group's touring performances included singing and dancing, which were "two things I loved", she said.[10] After the group disbanded, Battistelli picked up the guitar and began writing songs.
As an independent artist, Battistelli released her debut album,Just a Breath, in 2004. In early 2008, she released theI'm Letting Go EP exclusively throughiTunes onFervent Records, which contains four songs, including the title track. All four songs were included on her first major label studio album,My Paper Heart, which was released on July 22, 2008.[11] The album was produced byDove Award-winning producerIan Eskelin and published through Word Distribution.[9] Her first radio single, "I'm Letting Go", was released on July 15, 2008. The song had reached the top 20 onR&R's ChristianCHR charts by May 30, 2008.[12] In early July 2008, the song reached No. 10 on Christian CHR charts.[13]
The song "Free to Be Me", which received a Grammy nomination in 2009, was partially inspired when she backed her car into a lawyer's car, resulting in the line "'cause I got a couple dents in my fender".[14]
Battistelli began a period of touring in the U.S. in early 2008; she played solo concerts as well as performing with fellow Fervent Records bandBig Daddy Weave.[15] She performed at several Christian music festivals throughout mid-2008, such asSpirit West Coast in California and Alive Fest.[8][15] In late 2008, she guested on a tour withAaron Shust andNewSong.
Her debut single, "I'm Letting Go", reached No. 3 onR&R's ChristianCHR andAC charts during mid to late 2008. Her next single, "Free to Be Me", reached No. 1 on theR&R Christian CHR format in March 2009 and held the top position for nine consecutive weeks through the beginning of May.[13]
Battistelli joinedTobyMac,Hawk Nelson,Brandon Heath and others on theWinter Jam 2009 tour, the nation's largest annualChristian music tour, which ran from January through March 2009.[16] On November 23, 2009, Battistelli's song "It's Your Life" was featured on the series finale ofJon & Kate Plus 8 andThe Biggest Loser, the same dayIt's Your Life, featuring all of the singles, was released on iTunes US.[citation needed]It's Your Life Dented Fender Session was also released at that time.[citation needed] "It's Your Life" was also used in the filmSoul Surfer.[citation needed]
Battistelli toured on Winter Jam again for 2011 and released a second studio album,Hundred More Years, on March 1, 2011. The album was preceded by the release of a single, "This is the Stuff", in early 2011, which was followed in July by "Motion of Mercy".[17] On October 16, 2012, Battistelli releasedChristmas, a collection of traditional holiday music.[18]
On April 22, 2014, Battistelli's third studio album was released and titledIf We're Honest.[19]
Battistelli released "Future" exclusively toPizza Ranch on June 1, 2015. The song was written by Battistelli and Casey Brown and was produced by Ian Eskelin.[20][better source needed]In late 2016, Battistelli toured withBethel Music and was featured on two songs on their 2017 release,Starlight.[21] In late 2017, she releasedGreatest Hits: The First Ten Years.
On June 15, 2018, Battistelli released "The Breakup Song", the first single from her fourth studio album,Own It.[22] The second single, "This Could Change Everything", was released on October 12, 2018.[23]
In 2015, Battistelli starred in the American Christian sports drama,Woodlawn.[24]
In 2021, Battistelli starred in the American Christian drama film,God's Not Dead: We the People.[25]
Battistelli's music is influenced by several genres. One reviewer wrote that "Battistelli's soulful piano-pop sound resembles a blend of her music interests—jazz, rock,gospel andR&B."[26] Battistelli stated that when she began writing music, "I really longed to bring something authentic to the [Christian music] scene that even non-Christians could listen to."[10]
Battistelli is married to, and managed by, Matt Goodwin, whom she met on theWinter Jam tour when he was playing drums in the bandNewSong.[27] They wed on August 22, 2009 and live inNashville, Tennessee[28][29] with their seven children.[30][31][32]
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (If We're Honest) | Nominated[37] |
| Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song ("Write Your Story") | Nominated[37] | |
| 2016 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song ("Holy Spirit") | Won[4] |
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | New Artist of the Year | Nominated[38] |
| Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated[38] | |
| Song of the Year ("I'm Letting Go") | Nominated[38] | |
| Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("I'm Letting Go") | Nominated[38] | |
| Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (My Paper Heart) | Nominated[38] | |
| 2010 | Artist of the Year | Nominated[39] |
| Female Vocalist of the Year | Won[39][40] | |
| Song of the Year ("Free to Be Me") | Nominated[41] | |
| Songwriter of the Year | Nominated[41] | |
| Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Free to Be Me") | Nominated[39] | |
| Short Form Music Video of the Year ("Free to Be Me") | Won[40] | |
| 2011 | Artist of the Year | Won[42] |
| Female Vocalist of the Year | Won[42] | |
| Song of the Year ("Beautiful, Beautiful") | Nominated[42] | |
| Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Beautiful, Beautiful") | Won[42] | |
| 2012 | Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated[43] |
| Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (Hundred More Years) | Nominated[43] | |
| Special Event Album of the Year (The Story, various artists) | Won[44] | |
| 2013 | Artist of the Year | Nominated[45] |
| Christmas Album of the Year (Christmas) | Nominated[45] | |
| Recorded Music Packaging of the Year (Christmas) | Nominated[45] | |
| 2014 | Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (If We're Honest) | Nominated[46] |
| 2015 | Song of the Year ("He Knows My Name") | Nominated |
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Worship Song of the Year ("Holy Spirit") | Nominated | |
| 2019 | Song of the Year ("The Breakup Song") | Nominated |
| Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("The Breakup Song") | Nominated |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Woodlawn | Linda | [47] |
| 2021 | God's Not Dead: We the People | Rebecca McKinnon | [48] |
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| Artists | |
