Sandi Patty is a legend in gospel music, known to her fans as “The Voice.” She has 5 Grammy Awards, 40 Dove Awards and has sold over 11 million albums. Throughout her incredible career, Sandi has brought beloved sacred music to fans powered by her classically training and unique interpretations. We are very honored to have our newest team member, Joshua Goines (an incredible musician in his own right) interview Sandi about her career and being featured on the new compilation album “A Thrill of Hope.”
Joshua Goines: Ms. Sandi Patty, I’d like to start out by saying how thrilled I am to be interviewing you. Your artistry over the course of your career has touched so many people and inspired many of us to come into our own voices. Thank you so much for your ministry.
Sandi Patty: It is truly my pleasure, and your kind words mean a great deal to me!
Joshua Goines: Those of us who have followed your career for a while have watched as your already eclectic performing style adapted and grew to include so many more different genres of music. Now that you have transitioned more to being retired from the road, do you find that you have more freedom in selecting which projects to work on?
Sandi Patty: I am finding two things… ONE: You just can’t stray too far from the music that first grounded you. I love church music and have always found a great deal of comfort in that. But TWO: Church music and music with an eternal message has a way of changing and adapting with the times. Music is a personal taste to begin with. It’s the lyric and the message that make it ‘inspirational’ or ‘Christian’. That being said, I’m so thankful that my parents let me listen to a wide variety of music from Bach to Beethoven to Broadway. So stylistically, I love to listen and sing all styles of music.
Joshua Goines: What types of projects do you find yourself drawn to now in this season of your life?
Sandi Patty: I’m drawn to music and projects that tell stories. It could be one song. It could be a body of work that unfolds stories. I think that’s one reason that I love movie music so much because in the very nature of the writing, it literally “underscores” the story.
Joshua Goines: Although you have experience in different genres, you are primarily a Christian artist. How has your faith played a role in your development as an artist? Were you always planning to work for the church or did you feel led to that genre?
Sandi Patty: After college, I had hoped to teach school. I had wonderful music teachers growing up, so I was inspired by them to offer a good teaching experience. Whether teaching or singing on stage, my ministry has always been about who I am… music is more about what I do. So, one can be a minister of the gospel, no matter what their profession.
Joshua Goines: You’ve had many of your own Christmas singles, albums, and specials. Tell us about the piece you were featured on in “A Thrill of Hope” and what this particular track means to you.
Sandi Patty: I love Christmas music. Plain and simple. I love everything about Christmas – the sights, the sounds, the aroma… the way people pause, just for a moment, and offer kindness. I love the carol “Angels We Have Heard On High”, and I absolutely love the arrangement that Steve Wingfield did. It’s a fresh telling of the story without compromising the beautiful and celebrate lyric. I truly love it, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be part of this project.
Joshua Goines: As a musician, I have specific music that I look forward to performing or hearing every year at Christmastime. Sometimes my work traditions line up with my family traditions, but often there is separation between them. What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
Sandi Patty: My favorite thing about Christmas is just being together. We have ages 88 to 1-week olds and we try to gather and sing together. And that is hands down my very favorite thing.
Joshua Goines: Your fans are familiar with stories from your years as a student in high school when you emulated Karen Carpenter and then Barbra Streisand before you found your own voice. Which artists are on your playlists now? To whom do you listen to for musical uplifting, celebration, and inspiration?
Sandi Patty: Natalie Grant continues to be my favorite. I adore her. I love Anthony Evans. And I love the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. And my sweet friend Kristin Chenoweth.
Joshua Goines: You’ve collaborated with so many musicians from different backgrounds over the years. Is there anyone, from any genre, that you wish you could collaborate with now? And, if you could time travel back in the past, is there any artist or composer that you would be interested in working with?
Sandi Patty: I’ve always wanted to meet Barbra Streisand, and of course I would have loved to sing with her. And to get a chance to work with David Foster would be a dream. One of my favorite producers right now is Bernie Herms. He embodies musical excellence with incredible heart.
Joshua Goines: With a career as successful and expansive as yours, I imagine it must be tough to pinpoint specific moments, but are there 2-3 highlights that stand out in your mind that you could share with us?
Sandi Patty: As we are talking about Christmas, one of my first big events I was privileged to do was Christmas In Washington when President Regan was in office. It was one of the first television events that I was honored to be part of. The other absolutely favorite Christmas event is when I get to perform with the Indianapolis Symphony every other year for an event called “A Yuletide Celebration”. It is a month long, several shows, all live with singers and orchestra. It’s purely magic and everything Christmas should be!
Joshua Goines: In addition to highlights, there are usually moments that happen that are embarrassing or out of our control, but as the saying goes, “The show must go on”. Have you had any of those moments, and how have you dealt with them?
Sandi Patty: There have been times of lyrics missed or microphone drops. But I’ve always believed those are some of the things that make a live show very interesting. Nothing else that is appropriate to share in this article (ha!) comes to mind.
Joshua Goines: What advice would you offer to young musicians who are looking to make their mark on the world?
Sandi Patty: The best advice is the advice that no one listens to. Not even my younger self. It’s the advice of blooming where you are planted. Asking God, “Use me today God. Right where I am.” The best advice is for the Lord to become the center of your world, before you begin thinking about making a mark on THE world. Study. Learn Music. Take classes. Go to college. These are ALL the things that prepare you. One of my favorite sayings is “opportunity intersects with preparation”!
Joshua Goines: Though the pandemic continues, many artists are attempting to look to the future for when new projects can begin or postponed projects may continue. Are there any specific musical endeavors you have for 2021 and beyond?
Sandi Patty: Truly a crazy year for sure. WOW. One of the things my husband Don and I have loved doing is a little crazy show on Saturday night on my facebook. It’s called Sunsets with Dan and Cindi. We both love sunsets, for all the reasons. And Dan and Cindi (rather than our real names Don and Sandi) are our post-retirement names.
I’m also excited to be working on a virtual Christmas special for December this year. A Very Merry Virtual Christmas!
“A Thrill of Hope” is now available on Spotify and Apple Music
Wow, Josh! I’m impressed, proud, and not a bit surprised that you got to interview Sandi. What an experience that must have been. Her talent through the years has amazed and uplifted me and I call many of her works my absolute favorites. She’s a talent that has shined brightly for many years, just as you are now showing that you can do, as well.
Congratulations on the interview, and I’m honored to have been a part of your early journey!
Great interview, Joshua. Sandi is one of my favorite artists, too.