Francesca Battistelli
Francesca Battistelli | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City, New York, USA |
| Genres | CCM, Pop, Soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, Guitar, Piano |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Fervent Records, Warner Bros. Records |
| Website | francescamusic.com |
Francesca Battistelli (born May 18, 1985) is an Italian-American Christian musician from New York City, New York.[1] She was originally an independent artist and had released an independent album, Just a Breath, in 2004. Her first studio album on Fervent Records, My Paper Heart, was released on July 22, 2008. Her first single, "I'm Letting Go", was released to radio stations in spring of 2008 and has charted on national Christian CHR charts since then. The song was the 16th most played song of 2008 on Christian radio stations according to R&R magazine.[2] Francesca Battistelli has received her first Grammy Award 2009 nomination for "Best Gospel Performance" with her single Free To Be Me.
Biography
Early life
Battistelli was born on May 18, 1985 in New York City.[1][3] She grew up in a musical family with both of her parents involved in musical theatre.[4] "There was just something about live theater—especially musical theater—that has always resonated with me" she said.[5] She "knew that she was going to spend her life performing" after seeing a performance of the musical The Secret Garden on Broadway at the age of six.[4] "So I thought that was it. I was going to be Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden."[6]
When she was 15, however, she became a member of the Orlando, Florida all-girl mainstream pop group Bella. The group's touring performances included singing and dancing, which were "two things I loved", she said.[6] After the group disbanded, Battistelli picked up the guitar and began writing songs.
Musical career
As an independent artist in 2004, Battistelli released her debut album, Just a Breath. In early 2008, she released the I'm Letting Go EP exclusively through iTunes on Fervent 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.[7] The album was produced by Dove Award-winning producer Ian Eskelin, and was published through Word Distribution.[5] Her first radio single, "I'm Letting Go", was released in spring 2008. The song had reached into the top 20 on R&R's Christian CHR charts by May 30, 2008.[8] In early July 2008, the song reached #10 on Christian CHR charts.[9] My Paper Heart debuted at #1 on iTunes in July and was in the top 10 Christian albums for 4 weeks.
Battistelli began a period of touring in the U.S. during early 2008, playing solo concerts as well as performing with fellow Fervent Records band Big Daddy Weave.[10] She performed at several Christian music festivals during mid-2008, such as Spirit West Coast in California and Alive Fest.[4][10] In late 2008, she guested on a tour with Aaron Shust and NewSong.
Her debut single "I'm Letting Go" reached #3 on R&R's Christian CHR and AC charts during mid to late 2008. Her next single, "Free to Be Me", reached #1 on the R&R Christian CHR format in March 2009, and has held the top position for 9 consecutive weeks through the beginning of May.[9]
Battistelli joined tobyMac, Hawk Nelson, Brandon Heath and others on the Winter Jam 2009 tour, the nation's largest annual Christian music tour, which ran from January through March 2009.[11] On November 23, 2009, Battistelli's song "It's Your Life" was featured on the series finale of Jon & Kate Plus 8 and ((The Biggest Loser)), is realized on the same day the EP of "It's Your Life" on iTunes USA that contains all the singles from that album and a special version of "It's Your Life Dented Fender Session". It's Your Life Peaked at Top 200 Itunes USA and join the 46 positions and 29 on Itunes Canada.
Battistelli toured on Winter Jam again for 2011 and released a second studio album, Hundred More Years, on the first of March. The album was preceded by the release of a single, This Is The Stuff, in early 2011. In July of 2011 the second single, Motion of Mercy, was released from the 2011 album, Hundred More Years
"It's Your Life" was in the movie Soul Surfer in early 2011.
Style
Battistelli's music is the mix of several different genre labels. A reviewer once said that "Battistelli's soulful piano-pop sound resembles a blend of her music interests—jazz, rock, gospel and R&B."[12] Battistelli stated that when she first began writing music, "I really longed to bring something authentic to the [Christian music] scene that even non-Christians could listen to."[6]
Francesca's track "Blue Sky" featured on the Hollister Playlist for December 2009.
Personal life
Francesca married Christian band percussionist Matthew Goodwin on August 27, 2009 in Nashville. The couple's son, Matthew Elijah, was born on September 22, 2010.
Discography
| Year | Album | Billboard Christian Albums[13] (Peak Position) |
Billboard 200 (Peak Position) |
|---|---|---|---|
- Hundred More Years also charted on the Billboard Digital Albums peaking at #21.
Singles
| Year | Single | Billboard Christian Songs[14] (Peak Position) |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
- "I'm Letting Go" – also peaked #10 on national Christian CHR charts, including the top 3 on R&R magazine[15]
- "Free to Be Me" – also peaked #1 on R&R's Christian CHR format for seven consecutive weeks; US Bubbling Under Hot 100 #17 [9]
- "It's Your Life" - also peaked #95 US Billboard Hot 100[16]
- "Lead Me to the Cross" - iTunes Single
- "This Is The Stuff" - also peaked #15 US Bubbling Under Hot 100
- "Motion of Mercy"
Music videos
- "I'm Letting Go"
- "Free to Be Me
- "Beautiful, Beautiful"
- "This is the Stuff"
Awards
GMA Dove Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | New Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Song of the Year ("I'm Letting Go") | Nominated | |
| Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("I'm Letting Go") | Nominated | |
| Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (My Paper Heart) | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| Female Vocalist of the Year | Won | |
| Song of the Year ("Free to Be Me") | Nominated | |
| Songwriter of the Year | Nominated | |
| Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Free to Be Me") | Nominated | |
| Short Form Music Video of the Year ("Free to Be Me") | Won | |
| 2011 | Artist of the Year | Won |
| Female Vocalist of the Year | Won | |
| Song of the Year ("Beautiful, Beautiful") | Nominated | |
| Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("This Is The Stuff") | Won |
References
- ^ a b "Francesca Battistelli Artist Database, Francesca Battistelli Discography". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
- ^ 2008 Year End Charts/Top Christian CHR songs, R&R magazine, Retrieved January 15, 2009
- ^ Ashley Erin. "Featured Artist: Francesca Battistelli". WNZR. Retrieved 2009-05-04. [dead link]
- ^ a b c "Introducing Francesca Battistelli". About.com. 2008-05-21. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
- ^ a b "Francesca Battistelli Opens Her Heart With July 22rd Release". CMSpin.com. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
- ^ a b c "Francesca Battistelli Biography". Your Music Zone. Retrieved 2008-06-12. [dead link]
- ^ "Francesca Battistelli My Paper Heart - Releases July 22nd". Word Music Group; Lightvox.com. 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
- ^ "Francesca Battistelli's July 22nd Release, My Paper Heart, Already Garnering Major Buzz". Your Music Zone. 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-06-11. [dead link]
- ^ a b c "Christian CHR National Airplay". R&R. 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
- ^ a b "Francesca Battistelli Opens Her Heart With July 22nd Release, "My Paper Heart"". Your Music Zone. 2008-05-28. Archived from the original on 2008-05-29. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
- ^ http://www.jamtour.com
- ^ "Francesca Battistelli I'm Letting Go music video". Music Remedy. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/francesca-battistelli/chart-history/845091?f=310&g=Albums
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/francesca-battistelli/chart-history/845091?f=355&g=Singles
- ^ "R&R August 2, 2008 Christian CHR chart". R&R as reported by the Weekend 22. 2008-08-02. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
- ^ "Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' 'Empire' Stays Put on Hot 100". Billboard. 2009-12-03. Retrieved 2009-12-03.