Pictured (L-R): Matt Goodwin (Francesca’s drummer & husband), Josh Bailey (SVP, A&R, Word Entertainment), Ian Eskelin (producer), Francesca Battistelli, Dale Mathews (SVP of Music Publishing and Church Resources, Word Entertainment), Rod Riley (President and CEO, Word Entertainment), Kellyn Bailey (Francesca’s Brand Manager, Word Entertainment).
Francesca Battistelli has earned gold status with her single “Free To Be Me,” which has sold more than 500,000 copies. “Free To Be Me” is a chart-topping hit from Battistelli’s My Paper Heart album (Fervent Records). Industry colleagues at Word Entertainment surprised the singer-songwriter on Thursday, April 17 in Nashville with a plaque commemorating the honor.
“Free to Be Me” earned Battistelli a Best Gospel Performance Grammy nomination in 2009. In 2011, she garnered a Dove Award for “Artist of the Year”; Battistelli is the first female to win the Artist of the Year honor since Amy Grant in 1992.
Battistelli will release her third Fervent Records album, If We’re Honest, on Tuesday, April 22.
Battistelli celebrates with Rod Riley (Word Entertainment President & CEO).
About the Author
Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
