by Ashleigh KittleAt the age of 17, Natalie Grant decided to start arranging music for the youth choir at her church in Seattle, WA. It was her desire to provide music that was relevant to her generation. Upon hearing the group the Truth perform, Grant felt moved to audition. Landing a spot in the group, she performed and toured with the group for two years before heading to Nashville, TN, in pursuit of a solo career. In 1997 she signed with Benson Records, and she released her self-titled debut project in 1999. Unfortunately, the project did little for Grant and her record deal with Benson ended. Grant says the period of uncertainty following the loss was "the first time I was challenged to live out my faith." Before long her schedule started to fill up. She recorded Senator Orrin Hatch's "I'm Not Alone" and was invited to perform at the 2000 Republican National Convention. In addition, she contributed to Max Lucado's He Chose the Nails praise & worship album. Continuing to minister through music, Grant saw God "opening up to me -- youth conferences, political conventions, churches black and white." In 2001, she released her sophomore album, Stronger, on Pamplin. Deeper Life followed in early 2003 via Curb, and one of its tracks, "Live for Today," was subsequently nominated for a Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. "No Sign of It" also received some mainstream attention after finding its way on to the movie soundtrack for View from the Top, starring Gwyneth Paltrow. March 2005 saw the release of her next album, Awaken, which was followed up that fall with the Christmas album Believe.