Sandi Patty
Sandi Patty (born
July 12,
1956 in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), known as "The Voice," is an
American Contemporary Christian music singer, renowned for the breadth of her voice, once called "nuclear powered" both in terms of range and musical genres, as well as her impeccable musicality and powerful, yet flexible voice.
Patty was born to a minister of music and his wife, the church pianist. She first performed at the age of two, when she sang "Jesus Loves Me" for her church. A few years later, she and her brothers joined her parents in a performing group, known as "The Ron Patty Family," performing at small churches across the nation. She attended both
San Diego State University, and
Anderson University in
Anderson,
Indiana, where she studied voice and conducting.
Patty recorded her first album,
For My Friends, an independent effort, that landed in the hands of record executives at Singspiration! In
1979, she was signed to Singspiration! and released her first professional record,
Sandi's Song. A printer's error on the labeling listed her name as
Sandi Patti, and used this moniker as her stage name for the next fifteen years.
Her career excelled after she won her first two
Dove Awards in
1982, and began singing backup for
Bill Gaither and the
Bill Gaither Trio. She headlined her first national tour in
1984, and reached national acclaim after her rendition of "
The Star-Spangled Banner" was included during the ABC Statue of Liberty rededication broadcast on
July 4,
1986. This exposure led to multiple mainstream television appearances including
The Tonight Show,
Christmas in Washington, and
Walt Disney Fourth of July Extravaganza.
At the peak of her career, her concerts were so heavily attended that she performed in often sold-out mainstream arenas and concert halls. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, she averaged over 200 concerts a year, and supported a staff of over 30 that managed her career. She is the most awarded Christian Female Singer in history by the
Gospel Music Association and in
2004, was inducted into the
Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Her career stalled in the mid-'90s due to personal problems, but she slowly rebuilt her career, expanding her musical appeal by performing pops concerts with symphony orchestras, including the
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the
Cincinnati Pops.
While studying at Anderson University, Patty married John Helvering, who became her business manager. They divorced in
1992, and it was revealed in
1995 that during the marriage Patty had an adulterous affair with Don Peslis, a former backup singer; they later married. This revelation had a chilling effect on her career and her reputation in the Christian music industry. She has since written
Broken on the Back Row, a biography that chronicles her rise to stardom and the rebuilding of her career.
Patty is currently married to Peslis. She has four children from her marriage with Helvering. She currently resides in Anderson, Indiana.
*
Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee in
2004 *39
Dove Awards: 1982 (x2), 1983 (x1), 1984 (x4), 1985 (x4), 1986 (x1), 1987 (x3), 1988 (x3), 1989 (x5), 1990 (x2), 1991 (x3), 1992 (x4), 1994 (x1), 1995 (x1), 1996 (x1), 1998 (x2), 1999 (x2)
*5
Grammy Awards: 1984, 1986, 1987(x2), 1991
*4
Billboard Music Awards
*5
Gold albums (
RIAA)
*3
Platinum albums (RIAA)
*1978 -
For My Friends*1979 -
Sandi's Song*1981 -
Love Overflowing *1982 -
Lift Up the Lord *1983 -
The Gift Goes On (Christmas)
*1983 -
Live: More Than Wonderful *1984 -
Songs from the Heart *1985 -
Hymns Just for You *1986 -
Morning Like This *1988 -
Make His Praise Glorious *1989 -
The Finest Moments *1989 -
Sandi Patty and The Friendship Company *1990 -
Another Time, Another Place *1991 -
The Friendship Company: Open for Business *1992 -
Hallmark Christmas: Celebrate Christmas!*1993 -
LeVoyage *1994 -
Find It On the Wings *1996 -
Hallmark Christmas: It's Christmas! Sandi Patty & Peabo Bryson*1996 -
O Holy Night! (Christmas)
*1996 -
An American Songbook*1997 -
Artist of My Soul*1998 -
Libertad Me Das (Spanish Language Recording)*1999 -
Together: Sandi Patty & Kathy Troccoli *2000 -
These Days *2001 -
All the Best...Live!*2003 -
Take Hold of Christ *2004 -
Hymns of Faith...Songs of Inspiration*2005 -
Yuletide Joy (Christmas)
*2005 -
Duets (Compilation of Grammy and Dove Award winning duets)
*
Official website*
Christianity Today profile*
Profile by the University of Mobile*
William Morris Agency profile; includes touring schedule*
Biography at mp3.com
