CCM artist Natalie Grant has expressed her joy after she and her husband, producer and songwriter Bernie Herms, were nominated for five Grammy Awards between them.
Grant was nominated for "Best Contemporary Christian Music Album" for Be One and "Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song" for "King Of The World", while Herms earned a nod for producing Grant's album, as well as two nominations for his work on Hillary Scott's album Love Remains and song "Thy Will," which spent 14 consecutive weeks at #1.
After the nominations were announced, Grant took to Facebook to share a photo of herself with her husband celebrating the news.
"This very unglamorous, first thing in the morning selfie is from today, after a phone call from our manager woke us up to tell us we were nominated for the Grammy awards!" she captioned the photo. "2 for me. 2 for him. Such an honor! What a thrill to be a team in every way with my soul mate. Annnnd we decided when it's time to cast our votes, I'll vote for him and 'Thy Will' and he'll vote for me and 'King Of The World.' Win-Win."
Herms, who in the past has won 9 GMA Dove Awards, including Producer of the Year (2009 & 2016) and Song of the Year, also voiced his excitement.
"We're celebrating big in our house today!" he said, according to The Christian Beat. "I'm excited and humbled by my GRAMMY nominations but also cheering wildly for my wife Natalie Grant on her two nominations! I'm her biggest fan!"
In 2014, Grant made headlines after she and her husband walked out of the Grammy Awards after witnessing a series of performances that conflicted with their faith, including a mass same-sex wedding ceremony officiated by Queen Latifah and a demonic performance of "Dark Horse" by Katy Perry.
The singer, who was nominated for two awards that year, later explained the controversial decision: "We left the Grammy's early. I've many thoughts about the show tonight, most of which are probably better left inside my head. But I'll say this: I've never been more honored to sing about Jesus and for Jesus. And I've never been more sure of the path I've chosen."
After receiving backlash from the LGBT community, the singer went on to explain that the awards show made her all the more thankful to be "singing for Jesus", even though she doesn't judge anyone in the mainstream music industry.
"I am honored to be a part of the Christian music community. I've had many people throughout my career ask why I never tried to go in to mainstream music and last night was a beautiful reminder that I love singing about Jesus and FOR Jesus.
I've judged no one. I hate no one. And I believe that every person has been created in the image of God. I will never stand on a street corner and wave a sign, I won't use my platform to engage in political arguments that will only divide and not unite. I will continue to pray that my life will be my message. I do have my own personal convictions that I live by, and I will continue to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord. (Philippians 2:12)".
Other Christian artists recognized this year include Centricity Music artist Lauren Daigle who received her second career Grammy nomination for "Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song" for her hit, "Trust in You," off of her award-winning album, How Can It Be.
Crowder's latest album, American Prodigal, also garnered a nomination for the category "Best Contemporary Christian Music Album," and Zach Williams also received his first nomination for the No. 1 single "Chain Breaker." His hit song was recognized in the "Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song" category.
The 2017 Grammy Awards will be hosted by James Corden and broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017.
