Biography

Early life

Patty was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, into a family of musicians; her father was a minister of music, and her mother served as the church pianist. She first performed at the age of two when she sang "Jesus Loves Me" for her church, Phoenix First Church of God (Anderson, Indiana). First growing up in Phoenix, then San Diego, she and her brothers joined their parents in a performing group known as "The Ron Patty Family", and sang at churches across the nation during summer holidays. After graduating from Crawford High School in San Diego, she attended San Diego State University and Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana, where she studied voice and conducting. While studying at Anderson University, she worked as a studio musician for area recording studios, singing background vocals and recording commercial jingles, including one for Juicy Fruit gum. Her reputation as a performer and studio singer grew during the late 1970s, and it was during this time that she initiated contact with legendary Christian musician Bill Gaither.

Singing career

Patty recorded her first album, For My Friends, an independent effort, that landed in the hands of executives at Singspiration! records. In 1979, she was signed to Singspiration! and released her first professional record, Sandi's Song. According to the FAQ section on her website, the name on her birth certificate is Sandra Patty. A printer's error on the labeling listed her name as Sandi Patti, and she used this moniker as her stage name for the next fifteen years, before correcting it to Sandi Patty.

Patty's career expanded after she won her first two GMA 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 re-dedication broadcast on July 6, 1986. This exposure led to multiple mainstream television appearances including The Tonight Show, Christmas in Washington, Walt Disney's Fourth of July Extravaganza, and the 1998 Pepsi 400; the clip was frequently used on television sign-offs for the remainder of their existence. She was invited to sing the national anthem at the Indianapolis 500 in 1987-88, 1990-92, and once again in 2013.

At the peak of her career, Patty's 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. During this period of time Patty was noted, often critically, as the highest-paid singer in the Christian music industry averaging over $100,000 per appearance, largely due to massive touring and high-profile public appearances.

Divorce

In 1992, the news of Patty's divorce from manager John Helvering shocked the gospel music industry. The reason for the split was later revealed to be infidelity which subsequently stalled her career in the mid 1990s. During her marriage, it was later reported that Patty had an extramarital affair with her back up singer, Don Peslis, who was also married at the time. Patty divorced Helvering in 1993 and married Peslis in August 1995. Confronted with rumors of the affair just two weeks into her marriage with Peslis, Patty made a full confession to her church congregation.

Comeback

Patty slowly rebuilt her career by expanding her musical appeal which included pop concert performances with symphony orchestras including the New York Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Prague Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops, and the Dallas Symphony as well as headlining and hosting the Yuletide Celebration with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2015 under the direction of Maestro Jack Everly.

In both interviews and in her autobiography, Broken on the Back Row, Patty expressed remorse and took full responsibility for her past actions and revealed the steps she took in seeking the forgiveness from those that her actions most affected.

In 2000, Patty had a guest singing appearance at the end of a 7th Heaven episode (season 4, episode 20). She appeared in the 2006 annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. A televised performance of Sandi Patty's Yuletide Special was filmed for syndication in 2006, with other performers—including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the U.S. Air Force Reserve Band.

In 2004, Patty was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and in 2007 was awarded the GMA Music in the Rockies Summit Award.

In May 2008, Patty released her 30th studio recording, Songs for the Journey, in which she covers classic hymns of the church and other modern gospel classics. 2008 also saw the release of five separate compilation recordings of past songs taken from previous albums. In 2009, Patty received two GMA Dove Award nominations: Female Vocalist of the Year, and Inspirational Album of the Year (Songs for the Journey).

Simply Sandi, an acoustic album, is the first solo project to be released on her own record label, Stylos Records (a label with three artists—Sandi, Ben Utecht, and Heather Payne). It was released on May 5, 2009. This album includes new renditions of some of Sandi's most beloved songs including "In Heaven's Eyes", "Via Dolorosa" and "The Stage is Bare". WEA Distribution is the distributor for Stylos Records, although this album is not being released commercially.

In Fall 2009, Patty released her first live Christmas album entitled Christmas: LIVE. The album includes live performances of her past Christmas favorites including "O Holy Night", "Someday", and a duet with her husband Don Peslis in "The Prayer".

2010-present

In Fall 2010, The Edge of the Divine was released. The album featured the new version of Patty's popular song "We Shall Behold Him", previously released in 2004 on "Hymns of Faith...Songs of Inspiration" plus eight new songs with a fresh contemporary sound—one of which she performs with Heather Payne. A book of the same name was also released—with the sub-title "Where Possibility Meets God's Faithfulness."

In October 2011, Patty released Broadway Stories, a secular album. From iTunes Review: "Before Sandi Patty was a Christian music star, she developed her craft by performing stage standards and pop tunes from the Great American Songbook. Broadway Stories reaffirms her mastery of such material against gorgeous backdrops provided by the 64-piece Prague Symphony Orchestra. From the first track to the last, Patty shows an easy command of the Broadway idiom, applying her formidable pipes to material worthy of her talents."

In January, 2012, Patty starred as Dolly Levi in the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's world premiere concert stage version of the Broadway musical, "Hello, Dolly!" to rave reviews.

In 2012 and 2013, Patty was a judge and mentor for the Songbook Academy, a summer intensive for high school students operated by the Great American Songbook Foundation and founded by Michael Feinstein.

Style and voice

Patty is known for her wide vocal range, flexibility, and emotional expression. In her early recordings, she created a trademark for herself by exploiting her range to its fullest advantage, through the "power ballad" vehicle, sweeping orchestral gestures, and a series of key modulations building to a crescendo and signature high vocal ending.

This style, often defined as being in the "inspirational" genre of Christian music, flourished throughout the 1980s. In later years, Patty's versatility has allowed her to expand into other styles, such as black gospel, southern gospel, classic and modern pop, and American musical theater. On her official website, she discusses her range saying "To be honest, my range has changed a bit over the years but my mom says it’s about four octaves (F below middle C to high F above double high C). Really singing high is just like screaming on pitch."

Personal life

Patty was married to John Helvering from 1977 until their divorce in 1993. She has been married to Don Peslis since 1995. In 2009, Patty and her family relocated from Anderson, Indiana, to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a blended family, they have eight children and one grandson.

Patty has supported charities such as Charity Music Inc.

Discography

• 1978: Sandi Patty - For My Friends (Burlap Sound Inc., Anderson, Indiana)
• 1979: Sandi's Song
• 1981: Love Overflowing
• 1982: Lift Up the Lord
• 1983: Live: More Than Wonderful
• 1983: Christmas: The Gift Goes On
• 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 Patti and The Friendship Company
• 1990: Another Time...Another Place
• 1991: The Friendship Company: Open for Business
• 1992: Hallmark Christmas: Celebrate Christmas!
• 1993: Le Voyage
• 1994: Find It On the Wings (first album to be released following the spelling correction of her last name from Patti to Patty)
• 1996: O Holy Night! (Christmas)
• 1996: Hallmark Christmas: It's Christmas! Sandi Patty & Peabo Bryson
• 1996: An American Songbook
• 1997: Artist of My Soul
• 1998: Libertad Me Das (Spanish album)
• 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)
• 2007: Falling Forward
• 2008: Songs for The Journey
• 2009: Christmas Live (Christmas)
• 2010: The Edge of the Divine
• 2011: Broadway Stories
• 2013: Everlasting (Target store exclusive)
• 2014: Christmas Blessings
• 2015: Sweet Dreams: Soothing Lullabies (Wal-Mart exclusive)
• 2016: Forever Grateful

Compilations

• 1985: Inspirational Favorites
• 1989: The Finest Moments (contains one new song)
• 1992: Hallmark Christmas: Celebrate Christmas!
• 1994: Quiet Reflections
• 1996: Hallmark Christmas: It's Christmas! Sandi Patty & Peabo Bryson
• 2005: Duets
• 2006: The Voice of Christmas
• 2007: The Definitive Collection
• 2008: Gospel Greats
• 2008: Via Dolorosa: Songs of Redemption
• 2008: A Mother's Prayer: Songs that Inspire a Mother's Heart
• 2008: Quiet Hearts: Songs of Restful Peace for Women
• 2008: Let There Be Praise
• 2009: Simply Sandi
• 2009: Duets 2
• 2011: The Best of Sandi Patty from the Gaither Homecoming Series
• 2012: The Voice of Christmas, Volume 2
• 2012: Rarities
• 2014: Ultimate Collection, Volume 1
• 2014: Ultimate Collection, Volume 2

Literature

• 1993: Le Voyage
• 1994: Merry Christmas, With Love
• 1999: Sam's Rainbow
• 2000: I've Just Seen Jesus
• 2006: Broken on the Back Row
• 2006: Life in the Blender: Blending Families, Lives and Relationships with Grace (Women of Faith)
• 2006: A New Day: A Guided Journal
• 2007: Falling Forward... into His Arms of Grace
• 2008: Layers
• 2010: The Edge of the Divine

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Year	Category	Nominated work	Result
1984	Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group	"More Than Wonderful" (with Larnelle Harris)	Won
	Best Gospel Performance, Female	The Gift Goes On (album)	Nominated
1985		Songs from the Heart	Nominated
1986	Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group	"I've Just Seen Jesus" (with Larnelle Harris)	Won
	Best Gospel Performance, Female	Hymns Just For You (album)	Nominated
1987	Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group	"They Say" (with Deniece Williams)	Won
	Best Gospel Performance, Female	Morning Like This (album)	Won
1989		"Almighty God"	Nominated
1990		"Forever Friends"	Nominated
1991	Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album	Another Time... Another Place	Won
1994		Le Voyage	Nominated
1996		Find It On the Wings	Nominated

GMA Dove Awards

• 1982-92: Female Vocalist of the Year (11 consecutive years)
• 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988: Artist of the Year
• Inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2004

Year	Category	Nominated work	Result
1983	Inspirational Album	Lift Up the Lord	Won
1984	Inspirational Album	More Than Wonderful	Won
1985	Inspirational Album	Songs from the Heart	Won
1987	Inspirational Album	Morning Like This	Won
1988	Song of the Year	"In the Name of the Lord"	Won
1989	Inspirational Album	Make His Praise Glorious	Won
1989	Inspirational Song	"In Heaven’s Eyes"	Won
1989	Children’s Album	The Friendship Company	Won
1989	Instrumental Album	A Symphony of Praise	Won
1989	Choral Collection	Sandi Patty Choral Praise	Won
1991	Inspirational Album	Another Time, Another Place	Won
1991	Pop/Contemporary Song	"Another Time, Another Place"	Won
1992	Short-Form Music Video	"Another Time, Another Place"	Won
1992	Children’s Album	Open for Business (The Friendship Company)	Won
1992	Inspirational Song	"For All the World"	Won
1994	Short-Form Music Video	"Hand on My Shoulder"	Won
1995	Female Vocalist	Female Vocalist of the Year	Nominated
1995	Inspirational Album	Find It on the Wings	Won
1996	Special Event Album	My Utmost for His Highest (various artists)	Won
1998	Special Event Album	God with Us - A Celebration of Christmas Carols & Classics (various artists)	Won
1998	Inspirational Album	Artist of My Soul	Won
1999	Long-Form Music Video	My Utmost for His Highest (various artists)	Won
1999	Spanish Language Album	Libertad de Mas (tie)	Won
2002	Long-Form Music Video	All The Best...Live!	Nominated
2004	Inspirational Album	Take Hold of Christ	Nominated
2005	Inspirational Album	Hymns of Faith...Songs of Inspiration	Nominated
2008	Female Vocalist	Female Vocalist of the Year	Nominated
2008	Inspirational Album	Falling Forward	Nominated
2009	Inspirational Album	Songs for the Journey	Nominated
2011	Inspirational Album	The Edge of the Divine	Won
2014	Inspirational Album	Everlasting	Nominated

[ Source: Wikipedia ]