Natalie Grant kept busy during this year's eventful Gospel Music Association music week. Grant was up for six honors at the GMA Dove Awards, co-hosted the BMI Songwriter Showcase with Matthew West, and received an RIAA Gold certification for Awaken.

DOVE AWARDS

For the fourth consecutive year, Grant took Female Vocalist of the Year, joining the legendary Sandi Patty as the only other artist to win the award four years in a row or more. Other nominees for the award included Sandi Patty, Francesca Battistelli, Brooke Fraser Ligertwood, and American Idol's Mandisa.

Grant was also nominated for Songwriter of the Year. Her song, "I Will Not Be Moved" was nominated in two categories: Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. "Breathe On Me" was nominated for Worship Song of the Year, and her 2008 album, Relentless, was up for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.

During Thursday's main event, which aired on Gospel Music Channel, Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year winners Group 1 Crew joined Grant on stage for a lively performance of Grant's song "Make it Matter."

GOLD RECORD

The Contemporary Christian singer was recognized for the sale of her 500,000th album Tuesday, April 21st as she gathered with friends, family, and music business associates in an intimate celebration at Nashville's Marathon Village. Guests included Grant's parents, husband Bernie Herms, who won the 2009 Dove Award for Producer of the Year, and GMA president and CEO, John Styll.

Curb Records' Mike and Vincent Curb presented the award for the success of Grant's 2005 breakthrough album, Awaken. "[Gold and Platinum Records] don't happen as often as they used to," said Vincent, citing Curb Records' artist Tim McGraw as an example. With the rise in online file sharing, record sales have faced significant decline.

Grant accepted the commemorative plaque, tearfully acknowledging that despite the awards, her "two greatest accomplishments are wearing gold dresses tonight." Twin daughters Bella and Grace were each awarded a miniature version of the plaque.

Regarding Curb Records, Grant said, "Turns out there is a record label that still believes in artist development." Through her label's belief in her, Grant learned that she did not need to rise to the top overnight, and that success takes hard work.

The theme of the night was Grant's journey as an artist, including her struggles in the recording industry, her work with The Home Foundation to fight against human trafficking, and her growing family. She will soon be celebrating ten years of marriage, as well as ten years since the release of her self-titled first album.