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Sandi Patty | |
|---|---|
 Patty in 2006 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Sandi Patti Sandi Patti Helvering Sandi Patty Peslis |
| Born | Sandra Faye Patty (1956-07-12)July 12, 1956 (age 69) Oklahoma City,Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Genres | Contemporary Christian, inspirational |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, author, pianist |
| Instrument(s) | Voice, piano |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Labels | Milk & Honey, Impact,Word,INO, Stylos |
Spouse | |
| Website | sandipatty |
Sandra Faye "Sandi" Patty (born July 12, 1956) is an AmericanChristian music singer, known for her widesoprano vocal range[1] and expressive flexibility.[2]
Patty was born inOklahoma 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 FirstChurch of God. First growing up inPhoenix, thenSan Diego, she and her brothers joined their parents in a performing group known as "The Ron Patty Family", and sang at churches nationwide during summer holidays. After graduating fromCrawford High School in San Diego, she attendedSan Diego State University andAnderson University inAnderson,Indiana, where she studied voice with soprano Greta Dominic, but graduated with an emphasis in conducting. While studying atAnderson University, she worked as a studio musician for area recording studios, singing background vocals and recording commercial jingles, including one forJuicy Fruit gum.[3] 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 musicianBill Gaither.[citation needed]
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 isSandra Patty.[4] 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 toSandi Patty.
Patty's career expanded after she won her first twoGMA Dove Awards in 1982 and began singing backup forBill Gaither and theBill 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 theABC Statue of Liberty re-dedication broadcast on July 6, 1986. This exposure led to multiple mainstream television appearances includingThe Tonight Show, Christmas in Washington,Walt Disney's Fourth of July Extravaganza, and the1998 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 theIndianapolis 500 in 1987–88, 1990–92, and once again in 2013.
In 1990, Patty's inspirational single release, "I'll Give You Peace",[5] written by Constant Change aka Dawn Thomas and Thomas Yarbrough, was released on one of her most popular records, entitled,Another Time...Another Place, which peaked at #2 on the Billboard Christian Albums charts. 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 across the United States. 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 $10,000 per appearance, largely due to massive touring and high-profile public appearances.[6]
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 beinfidelity, which subsequently stalled her career in the mid-1990s. It was later reported that during her marriage she had an extramarital affair with her backup singer, Don Peslis, who was also married at the time. Patty divorced Helvering in 1993 and married Peslis in August 1995.[7] Confronted with rumors of the affair just two weeks into her marriage with Peslis, Patty made a full confession to her church congregation.[8] During this time,Charles Schulz, whom Patty had previously met through a mutual friend, referenced her in aPeanuts comic strip in a gesture of support. Patty said of the strip, "He just kind of said ... 'I see you, it's okay.'"[9]
Patty slowly rebuilt her career by expanding her musical appeal, which included pop concert performances with symphony orchestras including theNew York Symphony Orchestra,Boston Symphony Orchestra,Prague Symphony Orchestra,London Symphony Orchestra,Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, theCincinnati Pops, and theDallas Symphony as well as headlining and hosting the Yuletide Celebration with theIndianapolis Symphony Orchestra in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2015 under the direction of Maestro Jack Everly. Patty again hosted the extravaganza in December 2017, 2021 and 2024.
In both interviews and in her autobiography,Broken on the Back Row, Patty expressed remorse and took full responsibility for her past actions, revealing the steps she took in seeking forgiveness from those that her actions most affected.[10][11]
In 2000, Patty had a guest singing appearance at the end of a7th Heaven episode (season 4, episode 20). She appeared in the 2006 annualMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade inNew York. A televised performance ofSandi Patty's Yuletide Special was filmed forsyndication in 2006, with other performers—including theMormon Tabernacle Choir and theU.S. Air Force Reserve Band.
In 2004, Patty was inducted into theGospel Music Hall of Fame and in 2007 was awarded the GMAMusic 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, was released on May 5, 2009. Significantly, it was Patty's first solo project to be released on her own record label, Stylos Records. Two other artists,Ben Utecht and Heather Payne, also signed to the label, which was distributed byWEA Distribution.
In Fall 2009, Patty released her first live Christmas album entitledChristmas: 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."
In late 2010, Patty releasedThe Edge of the Divine. The album featured eight new songs, including a duet with formerPoint of Grace member Heather Payne. A book of the same name was also released, with the subtitle "Where Possibility Meets God's Faithfulness."
In October 2011, Patty releasedBroadway Stories, which capitalized on Patty's pops concerts popularity. 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."[citation needed]
In January 2012, Patty starred as Dolly Levi in the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's world premiere concert stage version of the Broadway musicalHello, Dolly! to rave reviews.[citation needed]
In 2012 and 2013, Patty was a judge and mentor for the Songbook Academy, a summer intensive for high school students operated by theGreat American Songbook Foundation and founded byMichael Feinstein.[12]
In 2015, Patty announced her retirement from touring, citing age and a desire to spend time with grandchildren.[13][14]
In 2016, Patty releasedForever Grateful, an album of new and re-recorded material, and embarked on a farewell tour of the same title between February 2016 through March 2017. She is currently[when?] the Artist in Residence at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In 2009, Patty and her family relocated fromAnderson, Indiana, toOklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is married to Don Peslis. As a blended family, they have eight children and eight grandchildren.[15]
Patty has supported charities such as Charity Music Inc.[16][17]
| 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 | Christmas: 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" (withDeniece 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 |
| 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 | Instrumental Album | A Symphony of Praise | Won |
| 1989 | Choral Collection | Sandi Patty Choral Praise | Won |
| 1990 | Children's Album | The Friendship Company | 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 |
| 2016 | Children's Album | Sweet Dreams | Nominated |
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