Sandi Patty / WordSandi Patty / Word
"Find It On The Wings" - 417kFind It On The Wings
Since that Fourth of July night in 1986 when Sandi Patty's rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" caused the phone lines to jam at ABC News, Sandi has become one of the nation's best-loved performers. Whether it be to a sold-out crowd of thousands in an outdoor amphitheater, a worship gathering in a majestic cathedral, or during an intimate performance at the White House for the President and First Lady, she continues to celebrate life through her music and bring the message of hope and encouragement to others.
Fifteen years ago, Sandi Patty's first album was released. With 11 million in sales since then, Sandi has amassed an astounding 33 Dove Awards and five Grammy Awards, three platinum and five gold albums, and has performed before millions in concert appearances. Amazingly, more than one and a half million instrumental accompaniment tracks have been purchased by musicians from around the world, a testament to the incredible popularity of Sandi's vocal style. In addition to her Word/Epic Records projects, Sandi also sold over 1.5 million recordings of a special Hallmark promotion, Celebrate Christmas, in 1992.
These days, Sandi Patty celebrates past accomplishments, but more importantly, embraces the joy of the present. Her latest Word/Epic project, Find It On The Wings, is proof positive of that. Find It On The Wings is Sandi's first regular studio release in four years, and it shimmers with the pure, radiant joy that Sandi has found in her faith. A superb follow-up to her Grammy-winning release, Another Time, Another Place and her critically-acclaimed concept album, Le Voyage, Find It On The Wings proves Sandi's consistency as a woman known to millions around the world as "America's favorite inspirational singer."
"This album for me represents a lot of joy and a love of God's grace and His redemption. It's about celebration - the kind of celebration where God has accompanied you through some really rough times; He's walked you through it and He's seen you on the other side of it." Sandi hopes that the album's message will encourage those who have struggled with the realities of life. "When your world feels shattered, you have to begin rebuilding. You can stay where you are broken or you can choose to move on and build something better, by God's grace."
On Find It On The Wings, Sandi celebrates the joy she has found through freedom. "I read somewhere that the best thing you could give your children is roots and wings," she says. "You ground them and then you give them freedom. That relates to me. Many people - my parents, friends, family - have given me the freedom to find my own path with the Lord. Sometimes I've made huge mistakes and sometimes I've come to some great realizations that I never would've come to had I not been given the freedom to make mistakes. I've found many things on the wings of love."
Find It On The Wings, produced by Sandi's dear friend and longtime collaborator, Greg Nelson, represents a great repository of talent. Included in the project through song writing, performance, and general contributions are the likes of Michael W. Smith, Michael Omartian, Tommy Sims, Cindy Morgan, Bob Farrell, Robbie Buchanan, Chris Rodriguez, Dann Huff, and a host of others.
A highlight on the record, "Make It 'Til Tomorrow," is a soaring duet with Disney songster and fellow believer Peabo Bryson ("Beauty and the Beast," "A Whole New World"). "Carry On" is a powerful song of praise written by Michael W. Smith and Bob Farrell. Legendary producer Phil Ramone (Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra, Gloria Estefan) guides the sound of "If I Want To," a moving ballad co-written by world renowned artist/songwriter Burt Bacharach. "Through The Eyes Of A Child," written by Greg Nelson and Bob Farrell is a musical dedication to World Vision, the world's largest Christian relief organization, which provides food and supplies to persons in famished, under-developed third world countries.
Sandi's recent commitment to serve as World Vision's national spokesperson is particularly significant. "I had the privilege to see firsthand in Ethiopia what World Vision is doing to uplift the suffering people of the world. Nothing could have prepared me for that; nothing. I held starving babies in my arms, and say the hope that World Vision brings them. I'm just honored to be a part of that." Considering the scope of Sandi's achievements, as well as her role as a mother of four, her high-profile relationship with World Vision seems to be a perfect match.
Another perfect match for Sandi has been her continuing role as co-host of the highly acclaimed Young Messiah Tour, a well-loved part of the Christmas season for the hundreds of thousands who attend the record-breaking performances each year. In addition, Sandi has further broadened her audience by appearing as a guest soloist with major city symphony orchestras, performing Broadway tunes, old standards, big band hits, and gospel and inspirational favorites.
This year, audiences in arenas across the nation will experience Sandi's acclaimed vocal styling as she commences her first official concert tour since the spring of 1991. Accompanied by a full band and joined by 1994 Group of the Year 4Him as well as funny-man Mark Lowry, Sandi will perform for over 400,000 people.
What the people will hear, in addition to a fresh, energetic production and songs delivered with Sandi's dynamic range of interpretation, is the sound of real joy in Sandi's voice. Joy born of knowing the hope that can come only from God's touch on our lives.
All in all, what comes through in listening to Sandi's words, whether spoken or in song, is the balance which Sandi has found, being contented by much more than what a high-profile career offers.
In her own words . . .
"When it is all said and done, I want someday to be remembered as a woman who loved the Lord, a woman who loved her family, and when she had the chance, she sang about it."
Find It On The Wings Another Time, Another PlaceFinest Moments
Gift Goes On
Hymns Just For You
Le Voyage
Lift Up The Lord
Love Overflowing
Make His Praise Glorious
More Than Wonderful-Live
Morning Like This
Songs From The Heart
Open For Business (Sandi Patti & The Friendship Company)
1991 Best Pop Gospel Album for Another Time, Another Place
1987 Best Gospel Performance - Female for Morning Like This (album)
1987 Best Gospel Performance - Duo or Group for "They Say" (song), with Deniece Williams
1986 Best Gospel Performance - Duo or Group for "I've Just Seen Jesus" (song), with Larnelle Harris
1984 Best Gospel Performance - Duo or Group for "More Than Wonderful" (song), with Larnelle Harris
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