Francesca Battistelli's Paper Heart is Golden

Francesca Battistelli, received a surprise onstage Friday night at Disney World's "Night of Joy" when she was presented 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.

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."  Since her debut in 2008, Francesca Battistelli has earned a Grammy nomination (Best Gospel Performance) and 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.