Laura Story

Laura Story
Birth name Laura Mixon Story
Born September 5, 1978
Augusta, Georgia
Genres CCM
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Associated acts Silers Bald
Website laurastorymusic.com

Laura Mixon Story Elvington (born c. September 5, 1978) is an American contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter from Spartanburg, South Carolina.[1]

Her single off the album Blessings became her first to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart. The single eventually went on to win the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song.

Career

Story began her career in 1996 when she met Shane Williams, from the band Silers Bald, at Columbia International University. Williams asked Story to join the band and she became their bass player. Story released four independent albums with the band.[2]

When the band was about to sign a deal with Essential Records, Story's manager suggested she record a solo album. In 2002, Story left Silers Bald and began working on her first album, Indescribable, which was released independently that same year. In 2004, the title track of her album was recorded by Chris Tomlin in his album, Arriving. Tomlin's version peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs and was included in the compilation album Passion: How Great Is Our God. The band Avalon also recorded a version of the song for the WOW Worship 2006 album.[3]

Story released her second independent album in 2005, titled There Is Nothing. The album was produced by Ed Cash and Mitch Dane. During that year, she also married Martin Elvington, and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to become an associate worship leader at Perimeter Church.[4]

In 2006, Story signed a record contract with INO Records and two years later, released her third album, Great God Who Saves. The album was also produced by Ed Cash.[5] In 2010, she was nominated for a Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year at the 41st GMA Dove Awards.[6] Story released her fourth album, Blessings, in May 2011. Story released her fifth studio album, God of Every Story, on September 30, 2013.

Blessings

In May 2011 Story released her fourth album, Blessings. To date the album has become her biggest commercial success having debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart, giving Story her highest placement ever on the album chart. In June 2011, the first single off the album, also titled "Blessings", reached No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart, giving Story her first number one hit. In an interview, Story explains "Blessings is just a bunch of songs about worshiping when life is hard". Her husband Martin Elvington was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and she wondered "Why didn't you just fix it, God? You're all powerful and all loving… just fix it." Later after mentioning her desire to return to normal, her sister said "You know, I think the detour is actually the road." She realized that "Spending time with [husband] Martin obviously makes me happy, but it makes me a better person. That's the blessing of it."[7]

After the success of Story's Grammy-winning song, Blessings, a 30-day devotional book was released entitled What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? (Worthy Publishing, 2012 ISBN 978-1-60587-322-0). Each chapter contains thoughts, prayers and quotes along with a journaling page for the reader to recall blessings they have seen in their own lives.[8]

Discography

Solo Albums

Year Album U.S. Christian Albums[9]
(Peak Position)
2002
Indescribable
2005
There Is Nothing
2008
Great God Who Saves
25
2011
Blessings
1
2013
God of Every Story
7
2015
God with Us
32

With Silers Bald

Release date Title
1997 Climbing
1998 Live at Town Theater
1999 Nothing Else Beside
2000 Silers Bald

Singles

Year Single Peak chart
positions
Album
US U.S.
Christ

[10]
2008
"Mighty To Save"
9
Great God Who Saves
2011
"Blessings"
107
1
Blessings
2013 "I Can Just Be Me"
117
14
God of Every Story
"Grace"
12

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Year Award Result
2012 Best Contemporary Christian Music Song ("Blessings") Won

GMA Dove Awards

Year Award Result
2006 Song of the Year ("Indescribable") Nominated
Worship Song of the Year ("Indescribable") Nominated
2009 Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year ("Bless the Lord") Nominated
Inspirational Album of the Year (Great God Who Saves) Won
Praise & Worship Album of the Year (Great God Who Saves) Nominated
2010 Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
2011 Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
2012 Artist of the Year Nominated
Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Blessings") Won
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (Blessings) Won
Song of the Year ("Blessings") Won

Bibliography

What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?, Worthy Publishing, 2012

References

  1. Andree Farias, Copyright Christianity Today International (June 23, 2008). "Introducing ...Laura Story". Thefish.com. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  2. "Silers Bald". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  3. "Biography". Newreleasetuesday.com. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  4. "Perimeter Church – Staff Listing". Perimeter.org. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  5. Biography in Amazon.com
  6. "41st Annual GMA Dove Awards nominees announced | Tune In Music City | The Tennessean". Blogs.tennessean.com. February 18, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  7. Caroline Lusk (May 7, 2011). "Storytelling: Laura Story finds blessing in the story gone different Laura; by Caroline Lusk; Today's Christian Music; May 07, 2011". Todayschristianmusic.com. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  8. What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? Worthy Inspired, 2012
  9. http://www.billboard.com/artist/306636/laura+story/chart?f=310
  10. http://www.billboard.com/artist/306636/laura+story/chart?f=355

External links

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