Sandi Patty

The making of an icon began on the fourth of July, 1986 when ABC's phone lines were jammed by the thousands calling to ask, "Who is that?" It was Sandi Patty, unveiling her high notes in a rendition of the National Anthem that only she could unleash. From that moment forward, she never stepped out of the spotlight. Over the next two decades, she sold more than 11 million records, including three RIAA-certified platinum and five gold albums, earned a remarkable 39 Dove Awards, five Grammy Awards. Patty and performed live for millions from concerts to symphonies to inaugurations, all leading to her 2004 induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Stylistically, every route she's taken has led to enormous success. Her first string of albums where tailored to her forte: full orchestras, dramatic arrangement and production, dynamic performance style and unprecedented vocal prowess. After fourteen of these albums in the first four years, including a "best of" that still plays on most Christian stations, she released a number of more contemporary projects, radio-friendly yet still ripe with Patty finesses. Now approaching the 20-year mark in an astounding career, her impact seems to be experiencing a remarkable second wind. She recorded her first live album, turned personal downfall into greater ministry, authored several books and continues to revisit the charts. Having become known for her glass-shattering finales, one can only imagine her musical influence is only going to intensify as she continues to record the kind of music few others are making in the Christian genre. She is epic.