ABOUT NATHANIEL
Nathaniel's childhood was what some might consider a roller coaster of a ride. Born in 1987 to a young mother, Nathaniel spent most of his early childhood living with his mother, his sister, Grandparents, and his three uncles. At the age of 6, Nathaniel's mother made the decision to move out of her parents’ house and raise her two children. This would be the beginning of what would be six years that would impact Nathaniel's life like no other.
In 1995 Nathaniel's mother married a man, who in turn adopted Nathaniel and his sister. The couple had met through a small in-home Bible study, which was led by the apartment manager where Nathaniel and his family lived. Within a couple of years, the Bible study group began to introduce more and more fear-based ideologies, specifically towards the government. The leader of the group believed that God was speaking through him and that the end of the world was right around the corner. Within his paranoia he began preparing for the end to come. This resulted in instructing all the families in the group to move to San Diego, California together. It was there that for three years, Nathaniel's family along with three other families lived together in anticipation of the end of the world. The leader began teaching that God wanted them to start plundering the world, for he believed it was a sign of God's judgment on the world to do so. After many robberies, the taking of a man's life, and a police chase, the leader along with another man in the group were arrested. It took over a year for the cult to fully dismantle despite the leader being in prison. Nathaniel’s family eventually moved back home to the Pacific Northwest, and started attending a Baptist Church in Snohomish, WA. It took some time for the cult ideologies to be wear off.
Nathaniel's introduction to learning a musical instrument although delayed compared to most, began at the age of 14, when his mother asked what he and his siblings would like to learn. Having grown up listening to Keith Green, Nathaniel desired to learn the piano. The flame had been lit!
It didn’t take long for Nathaniel to start writing his first songs. Although very simple in both melody and lyrics, the love for finding a new tune, and a new message to sing about became his passion. It was around this time that Nathaniel picked up a guitar for the first time. He didn’t take any lessons, but rather watched his friends closely as they played guitar for Sunday worship.
By his early 20’s, Nathaniel had written numerous songs, but for the most part shared them only with family, and close friends. His desire to dive deeper into his lyric writing abilities began to grow. Rather than write only worship driven songs, Nathaniel’s prayer was for the Lord to give him songs that embodied the description found in Colossians 3:16:
“In all wisdom teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and sing with grace in your hearts to God”
In 2012, Nathaniel saw an add posted on Craigslist about an open mic opportunity at a local church. Not knowing anyone there, but desiring to share his music more, he gave the contact a call and was warmly invited to share some music with them. The first song he sang was his currently unreleased song Tears In Your Eyes.
In 2015 Nathaniel finally had the opportunity to release his first album, From Higher Ground To The Other Side through Boat Rocker Records. The album showcased a number of his early songs, with a message of one who comes face to face with his Creator, acknowledging the things that brought him to where he is, and the desire to see the glory of that which is to come.
Since then, Nathaniel has had the opportunity to sing all over the Pacific Northwest, as well as other areas around the country.
In 2021, Nathaniel released his second album, Dear Sons and Daughters through BentBeat Productions. This album was one that was dear to his heart, and long desired to be recorded. With songs of encouragement, comfort, admonition, and prayer, Dear Sons and Daughters is a musical letter written to the Church. This was followed up by his third album Testimony, released in June 2024. Testimony is an album featuring 12 tracks with very personal songs from Nathaniel's walk of faith.
In 2015 Nathaniel met Rachel Oliver. The two hit it off, and found they had a common interest in both music, improv, and a love for the Lord. In 2017 they got married on the beaches of Belize with close friends and family in attendance. In 2021, the couple welcomed their first child, Evelyn Grace into the world.
