Music Spotlight - Francesca Battistelli

Francesca Battistelli is an American Christian singer and songwriter. 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 on radio stations on July 15, 2008, and charted on national Christian CHR charts. The song was the 16th most played song of 2008 on Christian radio stations according to R&R magazine. 

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 the 58th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song with her single "Holy Spirit" written by the worship band Jesus Culture from her album If We're Honest. One of my favorites from this album is "This Is The Stuff."

Eight years ago, at the height of her career after releasing her last album, 2018's Own It, Battistelli intentionally stepped away from the spotlight to invest in her growing family. Now a mother of seven, the seven-time GMA Dove Award-winning songstress has naturally rooted herself in the quiet rhythms of everyday life as she's embraced homesteading and homeschooling in the midst of motherhood.

She is a devoted wife and mom of seven whose heart for home and family anchors her acclaimed music career. She balances the joys and chaos of parenting with the same clarity and grace she brings to the stage and studio. With multiple platinum and gold RIAA certifications, a GRAMMY® win, numerous Dove and K-LOVE Awards, and a string of No. 1 singles, she's achieved remarkable professional milestones. Yet it's in the everyday rhythms of family life -- tucking kids into bed, singing hymns around the dinner table, and juggling rehearsals with playtime -- where Francesca finds her richest inspiration and deepest purpose. After intentionally stepping away from music to invest in her family, and with more to say now than she ever has.

Here is a recent interview from last year with Francesca and her husband Matt Goodwin (who by the way, was a drummer for the award-winning group NewSong)...

While she was away, the music kept working. She secured another No. 1 at radio, bringing her total to eight chart-topping hits. She amassed multiple RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications, and her catalog crossed 2 billion streams -- all without a single new release. The songs simply would not be quiet. During a plaque presentation this week, alongside her family and her team, Battistelli celebrated 2 billion career streams and 3 million RIAA certified units across five titles; "Holy Spirit" is RIAA certified Platinum, "Defender," "The Breakup Song" and "Beautiful, Beautiful" are RIAA certified Gold, and the If We're Honest album is RIAA certified Gold.

Now, she's back! After 8 years, Francesca makes her long-awaited return with "He Will." "He Will" offers a soaring anthem of hope about putting your faith in a God who still does miracles. Backed by a choir, Battistelli's signature vocal is steady and sure as she sings of her need for rescue and her certainty that, while she may not know how God will intervene, He will come through. The single marks the beginning of an anticipated wave of new music from one of Christian music's most beloved voices.