Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music News Report

FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI SURPRISED ONSTAGE WITH
GOLD RECORD FOR HER DEBUT ALBUM MY PAPER HEART




Photo ID (L-R): Rod Riley (President & CEO, Word Entertainment), Francesca Battistelli and
Josh Bailey (Sr. VP of A&R, Word Entertainment).


RSS Icon


NEWS SOURCE: Warner Music Group
September 10, 2012

Nashville, TN - (September 10, 2012) - Fervent Records' artist and Dove Awards' "Artist of the Year," Francesca Battistelli, received a surprise onstage Friday night when Word Entertainment President and CEO, Rod Riley, presented her with a gold album for her debut release My Paper Heart. This marks the first debut album from a CCM artist in nearly a decade to receive RIAA-certified Gold status for sales in excess of 500,000 units. Casting Crowns' release in 2003 was the last debut album to receive RIAA Gold certification.

On Friday, September 7, just prior to her performance at Disney World's "Night of Joy" at the Magic Kingdom, Riley and Word Entertainment Senior VP of A&R, Josh Bailey, stepped onstage with a surprise gold record for the singer. "I was totally overcome with emotion," said Battistelli. "As soon as Josh walked onstage with the plaque, all this emotion hit me at once. This has been a dream of mine, and to be honored and surprised this way at Disney World in front of my wonderful fans, my family, and my record label...it truly couldn't have been more special. I feel so incredibly blessed and will remember this night forever!" The next day, the singer visited the Magic Kingdom once again with her family and record group to take an iconic photograph in front of Cinderella's castle.

Battistelli's 2008 debut album features the No. 1 single, "Free To Be Me," and Top 10 hits, "I'm Letting Go," "It's Your Life" and "Beautiful, Beautiful." The release topped Billboard's Christian Albums chart in August of 2010 and earned her a Grammy nod for "Best Gospel Performance." In 2011, she received the Dove Awards for "Artist of the Year," "Female Vocalist of the Year" and "Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year."

Since her debut in 2008, Francesca Battistelli has earned a Grammy nomination (Best Gospel Performance), six Dove Awards On October 16, the singer is set to release her first solo Christmas album, Christmas, which includes classics and newly-penned tunes. She also has songs showcased on two additional holiday albums due out the same day: Word Record's A Very Special Christmas: Bringing Peace on Earth and A Very Special Christmas 25th Anniversary benefitting the Special Olympics.

including 2011 "Artist of the Year" and 19 Dove Award nominations. Both her debut album, My Paper Heart, and her 2011 sophomore release, Hundred More Years, took the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Christian Album chart. With over 700,000 in album sales to date, she is the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past eight years. Her music has also been featured on TLC's Jon & Kate Plus 8, ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, NBC's The Biggest Loser, Fox's So You Think You Can Dance, and several other television and movie outlets. For more information on Francesca Battistelli, please visit www.francescamusic.com.

About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 60 years, Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is a unique, comprehensive entertainment company comprised of multi-faceted artist service departments including publishing, merchandising, booking, and online initiatives. Word Entertainment represents some of the top names and brands in music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Dara Maclean, Point Of Grace and Sidewalk Prophets and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Print, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group's Word Records and Fervent Records.

For more info on Francesca Battistelli visit the JFH Artists Database.

 

Leave a Comment

 

 

News Report Archives

[2025]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2024]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2001 - Present]
Visit our complete MUSIC NEWS ARCHIVE

 



Return to Main News Page

 

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, September 9, 2025
DC3 Bake Off - A COLORS SHOW - Single (independent)
Former Ruins In Your Field - Single (independent)
John Van Deusen Hallelujah Story - Single [Anotherland]

This Friday, September 12, 2025
ALBUMS
Jervis Campbell Good Grief! (independent)
Demon Hunter There Was A Light Here [Weapons MFG]
Roxanne Grace Try Again [DREAM]
Ellie Holcomb Far Country [Capitol CMG]
Malcom Christopher II Purpose and Plan (independent)
Q-Flo & IAMOPB The Flo Pack II [Syntax]
Sower Contemporary Christian Machine - EP (independent)
twenty one pilots Breach [Fueled By Ramen]
tylerhateslife MENTAL HEALTH [Syntax]
Phil Wickham Song of the Saints [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
BASECAMP Under the Blood (feat. Knaladeus) - Single [Polished Arrow Music]
Dan Bremnes Find Yourself - Single [Curb]
Matt Hammitt Days God Gave - Single (independent)
I.A.N., Jordy Sam & OnBeatMusic GOD DID IT - Single [Syntax]
Amy Jay Margins - Single (independent)
Myles Maestro Time Bomb (Until I'm Gone) - Single [Syntax]
Lexly Nirvana Mood ft. Michael Luis - Single [Syntax]
Solachi Voz Test of Time - Single [Syntax]
The Undertaking! Forever Remember - Single (independent)
VOTA Magical - Single (independent)

Next Friday, September 19, 2025
ALBUMS
Sho Baraka Midnight of a Good Culture (independent)
Influence Music One True God (independent)
LO Worship Songs For the Anxious Heart [Integrity]
Mainstream Worship Dwelling Place [DREAM Worship]
Lauren Mann Heaven - EP (independent)
Mat & Savanna Just How Strong You Are (independent)
Joel Vaughn TBA [DREAM]
Zane Walls Dry Bones - EP [DREAM]
Zach Williams Jesus Loves [Provident]
Paul Wright GOD SONGS (independent)

SINGLES
Frankie Orella Like This - Single (independent)
John Waller & WallerCo & Eric Lee Brumley Surprise Me - Single [DREAM]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images