Born Sandi Patty, July 12, 1956, in Oklahoma City, OK; daughter of Ron Patty (a minister of music); married John Helvering (a recording agent); children: Anna, Jennifer, John, Erin. Education: Attended San Diego State University; Anderson College, B.A., 1979. Religion: Christian. Addresses: Agent-- John Helvering, The John Helvering Agency, P.O. Box 2940, Anderson, IN 46018.

Sandi Patti has been called "The Voice" of contemporary Christian music. Gifted with a tremendous vocal talent that lends itself to a wide range of expression, Patti has enjoyed a diverse musical career. From ballads to pop to distinctive renditions of traditional gospel music, Patti bridges the gap between the secular and Christian worlds and ministers to her wide audience in a unique way.

Born July 12, 1956, Patti made her singing debut at the tender age of two while singing "Jesus Loves Me" in church. Her vocal gift, apparent even then, increased dramatically over the years, and she soon performed regularly at small gospel churches around the country with her two younger brothers in the family singing group, the Ron Patty Family. As a young adult, she studied voice at San Diego State University before transferring to Anderson College in Indiana to major in music. While at Anderson, Patti earned money as a backup singer doing jingles for Juicy Fruit gum and met her future husband, John Helvering. It was Helvering who proved instrumental in encouraging Patti to perform and made arrangements for her to record a custom album entitled For My Friends. Her name was misspelled "Patti" on the album, and she has used that version of her name professionally since. After hearing the album, a recording executive offered her a contract in 1979. There was no stopping "The Voice" then. Sandi's Song, Patti's first contractual release, appeared in 1979 and was followed by a number of personal appearances which spread the word of her music ministry nationwide. In 1980, Patti and her husband put together a small tour, quickly realizing that music was becoming far more than a part-time occupation. When she was asked to sing backup for the Bill Gaither Trio, Patti became convinced that her future lay in the music field. Her 1982 album Lift Up the Lord, a tightly produced and distinctly contemporary-sounding Christian album, won two Dove awards and featured such outstanding songs as the lively title track and "How Majestic Is Your Name," balanced against such balladic powerhouses as "They Could Not." Her 1983 album Sandi Patti Live: More Than Wonderful, certified gold in 1985, garnered additional Dove awards and a Grammy for best gospel performance. Subsequent albums have been nominated for musical awards each year, and Patti was named Billboard 's Inspirational Artist of the Year for four years in a row.

Patti's first major solo tour occurred in 1984 with concerts in the one hundred largest cities in the United States. The tour corresponded with the release of the Songs From the Heart album and drew more than half a million fans, confirming once again her position as the leading figure in popular Christian music. Her 1986 album Morning Like This earned her another Grammy, as did her duet with Deniece Williams on the song "They Say." As a whole, Morning Like This offers a striking musical balance: the title track embraces the mystery and joyful declaration of Easter morning, while the single "Love in Any Language" reaches well beyond the varying sects in Christendom; hand-clapping, foot-stomping favorites such as "Hosanna" and "Let There Be Praise" complement the inspirational moments of songs like "In the Name of the Lord."

Striving to keep pace with changes in musical tastes while not disappointing fans who had begun to equate her with operatic high C's and ringing, emotional crescendos, Patti blazed new trails with her 1988 album, Make His Praise Glorious. Still present here are hallmark ballads such as "In Heaven's Eyes" and powerhouse hits like "No Other Name," but the popular "Love Will Be Our Home" contains rocklike guitar licks--something fans might not have expected. Other departures are evident in the catchy "Come Let Us Worship," which found favor with fans of electronic percussion, and "Someone Up There Loves Me," featuring heavy brass aimed at jazz buffs.

Patti's broad appeal as a performer is not hard to understand. Her tremendous vocal talent bridges the gap between her Christian audience and the secular world. ABC-TV included her inspirational recording of "The Star Spangled Banner" during its Liberty Weekend Celebration, and NBC-TV invited her to participate in the network's Christmas in Washington special with former U.S. president Ronald Reagan. She has also performed on numerous daily television programs, including The Tonight Show, The Today Show, and Good Morning America, on specials such as the Grammy Awards show and the CBS special We the People, at the 1988 Republican National Convention, and at the opening ceremonies of the 1988 presidential inauguration. In addition, after four years of planning, Patti released Sandi Patti and the Friendship Company in 1989, a children's album that is destined to become a classic.

Despite national exposure as a performer, Patti remains refreshingly sincere and unchanged. Her dedication remains with the Lord and to her husband and four children. The music, in all its excitement, remains a ministry. As she noted in People: "I don't tell people 'You have to believe this,' but rather, 'Hey, the things that Jesus taught and continues to teach flat out work, and this is where I've been and learned and maybe it fits where you're at right now.' Music is a powerful tool. We should use it to help shape positive values." Perhaps what makes Sandi Patti's work so accessible and successful is her sincerity. Husband John agrees. "She talks to the audience about hating piano lessons when she was little, about our courtship, about [our daughter] Anna being sick, as well as about the Lord's message," he explained in People. Most critics agree that Patti's ability to cross musical boundaries and spread the Christian word to a wide and varied audience will insure her longevity in the field.

by Meg Mac Donald

Sandi Patti's Career

Christian music singer and recording artist, 1979--. Has toured throughout the United States.

Sandi Patti's Awards

More than two dozen Dove awards for gospel artist, female vocalist, and inspirational album of the year, all from the Gospel Music Association, 1982-90; Grammy awards for best gospel performance, 1984, 1986, and 1987; named inspirational artist of the year by Billboard magazine, 1986-89.

Famous Works

• Selective Works
• Sandi's Song Benson, 1979.
• Love Overflowing Benson, 1981.
• Lift Up the Lord Benson, 1982.
• Sandi Patti Live: More Than Wonderful Impact, 1983.
• The Gift Goes On Word Records, 1983.
• Songs From the Heart Impact, 1984.
• Hymns Just for You Helvering Productions, 1985.
• Morning Like This A&M, 1986.
• Make His Praise Glorious A&M, 1988.
• Sandi Patti and the Friendship Company A&M, 1989.
• The Finest Moments A&M, 1989.
• Another Time, Another Place Word Records, 1990.

Further Reading

Sources

• Contemporary Christian Music, April, 1988.
• People, December 2, 1985.
• Additional information supplied by the Helvering Agency.